Finding freedom, forging friendships, and discovering who you become along the way. The road has a remarkable way of teaching us things about ourselves that we couldn't have learned standing still.
Vancouver Island has a rhythm all its own. Ancient forests stretch toward rugged coastlines. Mountain roads twist through towering evergreens before opening to quiet oceanside towns where riders gather over coffee, watch ferries drift by, and plan the next adventure. Every road invites exploration, and every ride offers the chance to discover something new—not only about the Island, but about yourself.
For The Litas Nanaimo, riding has never been solely about motorcycles. It's about choosing growth over comfort. It's about finding people who celebrate your victories, stand beside you through life's challenges, and remind you that confidence is built one ride at a time. The motorcycles may have brought us together, but it is the community that keeps us riding.
DREAM TEAM:
Our branch was founded by Francesca (La Cucco), Martina, and Novella, three riders united by one shared vision: creating a strong, inclusive space for women riders in Rome where community, skill, and freedom always come before ego.
Francesca (La Cucco) has been riding for 12 years and rides a Triumph. She is our natural leader and the backbone of the group. Confident, sporty, and always focused, she sets the pace both on and off the road. As our Head Road Captain, she designs the routes, leads the rides, manages logistics, and makes sure everyone gets home smiling and in one piece.
Martina has been riding since 2016 and still proudly owns the Sportster she started on, alongside other bikes she has ridden over the years, including Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield. She is the heart of the branch, constantly reinforcing the importance of connection, mutual support, and truly showing up for one another. She is also the group’s trusted sweep, making sure no one gets left behind and that every rider feels safe, supported, and seen. Her approach to both riding and community has been essential in creating the welcoming, judgment-free environment that defines us today.
Novella has been riding since 2018 and rides a Harley-Davidson. She is the glue of the group, a natural team player who instinctively keeps everyone together. With her energy, creativity, and strong sense of adventure, she bridges personalities, smooths dynamics, and makes sure no one ever feels out of place. From organizing rides and events to encouraging everyone to step outside their comfort zones, she keeps the spirit of the group connected, curious, and always moving forward.
“We are friends first and riders second. Having fun together is essential to who we are. ”
“For too long, women have been told who they could become and constantly reminded of the role they were expected to play, a role crafted by patriarchy and reinforced by society.
We reject that narrative.”
A HISTORY:
Our branch was founded in 2016, and next year we will celebrate 10 years riding together, a milestone that still feels a little unreal. We started as a small group of women who wanted more than casual rides. We wanted real connection, real support, and a space in Rome where women could approach motorcycling or sharpen their skills without competition, ego, or unwanted attention. Just strong riders, riding with purpose, and building something that would last.
Today, we are 20 riders strong, and stronger than ever. We did not just grow in numbers, we grew in skill, confidence, and presence on the road. Through the riding classes we organize and our constant practice riding together, our members have become better, safer, and more capable riders. We ride farther, tackle longer distances, and our road communication is tight, organized, and effective. We show up as a united group, and we are respected for it.
At the same time, we are friends first and riders second. Having fun together is essential to who we are. We laugh a lot, we celebrate each other, and every ride or gathering feels like spending time with chosen family. That sense of friendship is what makes everything else possible and what keeps us coming back, ride after ride.
One of our proudest achievements is Wild Weekend, our signature summer ride where motorcycles, freedom, and pure fun take over for a few unforgettable days. It is loud, it is wild, and it perfectly represents who we are. More than anything, we are proud of the culture we have built: fearless but supportive, disciplined but fun, and bonded by a shared love of the open road.
A MULTITUDE:
The challenges we face are common to many women around the world. For too long, women have been told who they could become and constantly reminded of the role they were expected to play, a role crafted by patriarchy and reinforced by society. We reject that narrative. Through riding, through visibility, and through community, we want to represent all the possibilities women have today.
Our group is made up of many different women, different professions, backgrounds, ages, and riding styles, yet we are united by a shared sense of pride in being strong, independent, and deeply supportive of one another. Our diversity is our strength. It shows that a diverse community can ride together, grow together, and stand together.
We also want to dismantle the persistent myth that women are unable to create solidarity. Our existence is proof that this is not true. We support one another, we make space for differences, and we build each other up instead of competing. What unites us is stronger than what makes us different.
As Italian writer Michela Murgia once said:
“You must put in front of me all the women I can become, and then I will decide which ones I like, which ones I do not, and how many of them I can be. Not just one? I am much more than one. I am a multitude.”
That is exactly what we stand for. When we ride together, we are not just a group of motorcycles. We are a living, moving statement: women choosing freedom, choosing solidarity, and choosing to define themselves on their own terms.
We are not One, we are a Multitude.
