BobbieKate: Tons of Machines, One Way of Life

Hello Chicks and Machines followers!

My name is BobbieKate Daley, and I am proud to be your newest collaborator. I am 20 years old building my career as an industrial mechanic millwright and growing my passion in the powersports world.

Born and raised on a dairy farm in northern New Brunswick, I grew up operating heavy equipment and spent my spare time on my dirtbike, four-wheeler, or snowmobile.

In 2023, I filmed with Chicks and Machines in their “Autour du Monde” show on my 2017 Summit Expert where we showcased some of New Brunswick’s most popular snowmobiling trails and must-stop lodges!

Following the series release, I was truly inspired by Cyndi and her teams’ movement; and I knew that I wanted to become a part of it one day!

The Beginning

As a little girl, my parents started me off on a 300 freestyle tundra and a DS 90 four-wheeler. These machines are the root of my current passions.

They taught me about safety on the trails, responsibility, basic mechanics, and how to “braaaaaap”.

With my parents and my brother, we would travel to our camp every weekend after school on the snowmobiles; by the age of 12 or so, I think my parents realized I was about to become a real handful!

At this point in my life, I knew I had an enormous passion for powersports. A few sleds and bikes later, I spent most days of my summer working on the farm to save up and purchase my very own off trail machine; my first one being a 2010 600 summit XP 146.

Me and all the boys from the area would get off the school bus at 3:30, race into the house to eat supper, and meet up on the same road every day after school to go explore the back country of what we like to call home “downshore”.

I had dreams of mountain riding snowmobiles and took every opportunity to climb a hill and practice carving my sled on edge, don’t forget the wheelies! All that was standing between me and making my way to the mountains was a drivers licence!

I quickly outgrew this snowmobile, craving more power – and that’s where the 850 came in!

A knowledge of machines that keeps on growing

After graduating from college in 2023 at 18 years old, I began my apprenticeship with Wajax at a local branch. Day to day, I diagnose, repair, and rebuild a variety of industrial components such as mining equipment, hydraulics, motors, and pumps.

This job suits me in every way even though it is typically a male dominated trade! With the knowledge that I continue to absorb from this line of work, I feel confident to work on my own machines to keep them in prime condition to hit the back country.

I maintained and rode my 850 summit expert for three years; but inevitably, with high mileage and hardcore riding, the motor finally seized up. A few months prior to this, I was highly considering making the switch to the dark side, a Polaris Matryx (I was a die hard BRP girl)!

However, wanting to get back on the snow as quickly as possible, I decided, “What better time to make the switch?” December 2024 I brought home my newest machine, a 2023 850 RMK Khaos Matryx Slash.

The women’s  strenght

This is my second year riding in the Chic-Chocs mountains located in the breathtaking Gaspesie, Quebec. I could not be happier to finally begin living the life I have always dreamed of.

This snowmobile is an absolute beast in the back country; and the design is unmatchable. It’s been an incredible confidence boost to have a snowmobile work so technical yet powerful, being the petite girl that I am.

This year’s goal has been working on manipulating the machine to do the hard work by improving my maneuvers and techniques. Women often struggle to ride alongside men, as men tend to have the advantages of leverage of height, weight, and strength.

As one of few female riders in the area, we are discovering techniques that make the snowmobile do all that hard work.

I spend many weekends at The Sled Den where Daniele, Ryan, and Jack offer the best hospitality, lodging, clinics, and guiding services.

Daniele has been my biggest inspiration over these past few years of learning my way in tree riding. She rides a 9R through the trees in such an effortless manner, and makes her stunts look like a dance.

It takes women like her to push women like me to keep practicing and learning in such a male dominated sport. Women building up and supporting other women is so impactful in these sports, and is why I am so excited to be a part of Chicks and Machines!

As a 20 year old girl chasing her back country snowmobiling dreams, I can only hope that this journey alongside Chicks and Machines will help inspire other women to make the move! I am so thankful for this opportunity to work with and meet other women with the same mission.

Thank you and happy riding to all!

BobbieKate