Quebec Motorcycle Festival: A First Edition Fueled by Passion!

Creating a new event in the motorcycle world, starting with almost nothing, convincing partners to believe in the project, and bringing different communities together around a shared passion… It’s quite a challenge.

And yet, that’s exactly what Karina and Laurine, the two women behind the Quebec Motorcycle Festival, decided to take on.

For its very first edition in Cleveland, in the Eastern Townships, the Festival set out to offer something different: an inclusive, modern, and accessible event where motorcyclists from all walks of life could come together, regardless of their ride or discipline.

Motorcycles, Spyder, Ryker, trials, FMX, motorcycle precision riding, rodeo, off-road… For one weekend, all these worlds came together on the same grounds, united by one simple idea: a passion for motorcycles should bring us together far more than it divides us.

But behind the shows, exhibitors, engines, and visitors, there were months of hard work, challenges, a few doubts, plenty of resourcefulness, and the slightly crazy determination to bring an idea to life.

After experiencing this first edition firsthand, I wanted to look back on the adventure with the women who dreamed it up.

This first edition was also particularly special for me. As a Chicks and Machines contributor and the founder of ELITE EXPERIENCES, I had the pleasure of attending the Festival with ELITE as a partner, while also representing a collaboration that means a great deal to me: the partnership between ELITE EXPERIENCES and Chicks and Machines centered around motorcycle travel.

An adventure that now takes us beyond Quebec’s roads! Cyndi Martin, ELITE EXPERIENCES ambassador, is also part of this wonderful collaboration and will be joining us on some of our overseas motorcycle trips.

And speaking of the Chicks and Machines crew… Geneviève Dubois was there too! As a Chicks and Machines contributor, she certainly wasn’t there just to watch the motorcycles go by. She took to the handlebars to put on a motorcycle skills demonstration for festivalgoers, showing off what she can do on two wheels with plenty of style!

That’s also what I loved about this Festival: seeing people I already share projects, passions, and miles with come together in one place to celebrate our motorcycle world.

It All Started with a Ride

The idea for the Festival had already been brewing in Karina’s mind for some time.

“I felt there was something missing in this area, and I wanted to be able to attend this kind of event myself. At the same time, I thought it was a shame that so many motorcyclists, Spyder and Ryker riders didn’t wave to one another on the road simply because they rode different machines.”

The idea had started taking shape about two years earlier, when she was still riding as a passenger. After taking her motorcycle course and confirming her interest in this world, the idea gradually grew.

Having recently moved to the Eastern Townships, Karina knew she would need someone with a solid network in the industry.

That’s where Laurine comes into the picture.

“My dog’s boarding kennel owner seemed to know quite a few people and, on top of that, she was a motorcyclist herself. I suggested we go for a ride. We went out for a bite to eat, and I finally decided to tell her about my idea. She immediately jumped on board… and here we are!”

It just goes to show that some great adventures begin with nothing more than a motorcycle ride and a good conversation over a meal!

Bringing People Together, Diversifying, Modernizing

From the very beginning, the two organizers had three words in mind to define their vision: bring people together, diversify, and modernize.

They wanted to create something different from what had been offered in the past and, above all, something accessible.

“Our goal was really to bring the different motorcycle communities together, regardless of the type of ride or discipline, in a family-friendly, inclusive, and positive atmosphere.”

This desire to break down barriers between the different worlds of motorcycling would become one of the defining features of this first edition.

Why Cleveland?

The choice of Cleveland was initially made for a very practical reason: the grounds were available within the short timeframe the organizers had to work with.

But that choice ultimately turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Karina and Laurine particularly praised the quality of the facilities at the Société agricole de Richmond, as well as the involvement of its members.

“The members were also incredibly generous with their time. They helped us from beginning to end, and their involvement was invaluable to us.”

Finding Their Place in the Industry

One of their biggest challenges wasn’t necessarily logistics, programming, or even organizing the site.

First, they had to convince people.

They had to convince partners to trust two newcomers with a project that was starting from scratch.

And Karina doesn’t hold back her sense of humor when looking back on that period.

“On top of being women, neither Laurine nor I were known in the motorcycle industry, and we realized that the combination of ‘new ideas + women + motorcycles’ could sometimes ruffle a few feathers. Haha! We got a taste of professional ghosting!”

Rather than discouraging them, these obstacles pushed them to go even further.

“It also forced us to challenge ourselves, refine our approach, and quickly learn how to establish ourselves in the industry.”

And Suddenly… the Grounds Come to Life

For months, an event exists mainly in files, lists, phone calls, emails, plans, and the minds of the people organizing it.

Then comes the moment when the gates open and the first visitors walk in.

For Karina and Laurine, the emotions were definitely there.

“A little tear! Haha! But above all, an incredible sense of accomplishment and pride.”

Until that moment, there had been plenty of questions: Will people show up? Will they enjoy it? Have we done enough?

Finally seeing festivalgoers enjoy what they had spent months imagining was a truly special moment.

A Program They’re Proud Of

When asked which moment made them particularly proud, it was difficult for them to choose just one.

Every new partner who placed their trust in them was already a small victory. Then came the feedback from festivalgoers, the hard work of their team, and, of course, the programming.

A deliberately diverse lineup.

Trials, FMX jumps, motorcycle precision riding, rodeo, off-road challenges… several disciplines came together in one place.

“It was important for us to showcase the full diversity of the motorcycle world.”

And I also had the chance to experience that diversity in a very personal way.

As a Chicks and Machines contributor and the founder of ELITE EXPERIENCES, I was especially happy to see ELITE there as a Festival partner, as well as Chicks and Machines’ motorcycle travel partner. Two worlds I’m part of that naturally come together through the same passion for motorcycles… and the desire to keep pushing a little further.

This collaboration is increasingly taking us onto international roads, with Cyndi Martin, ELITE EXPERIENCES ambassador for our overseas motorcycle trips.

And the Chicks and Machines crew was well represented, too, with fellow contributor Geneviève Dubois on site. And Geneviève certainly wasn’t there just to make an appearance! She took over the grounds for a motorcycle skills demonstration, bringing her energy and confidence on two wheels.

Her performance perfectly captured the spirit of the Festival: discovering different sides of our world, pushing our limits a little, and, above all, having fun!

When it came to entertainment, Les Bikers Loup also left their mark. In addition to their stage performance, their humorous videos filmed during the Festival added that signature off-the-wall touch they’re known for.

Because the motorcycle world is about machines, miles, and adrenaline… but it’s also about having fun, laughing at ourselves, and being part of a crew that doesn’t always take itself too seriously!

For me, it was really great to see people I already share projects, passions, and miles with all in the same place. ELITE EXPERIENCES, Chicks and Machines, Cyndi, Geneviève, Les Bikers Loup… each brought their own unique touch to this first edition.

And if we had to pick one particularly spectacular moment?

“A motorcycle backflip is pretty impressive, after all! Haha!”

Hard to argue with that!

When Mother Nature Decides to Join the Party…

As anyone who organizes an outdoor event knows, there’s one partner you simply can’t control: Mother Nature.

After Friday’s weather, the arrival of sunshine on Saturday was certainly a relief.

And when the parking lots started filling up, Karina and Laurine were finally able to breathe a little easier.

“We said to ourselves, ‘OK, people are here!’ It was such a relief.”

Despite the weather conditions on Friday and Saturday, festivalgoers still showed up.

The organizers would obviously have loved to welcome even more people, but for a first edition, they prefer to focus on one thing: people showed up and supported the event.

A Welcoming Atmosphere Makes All the Difference

Among all the feedback received after the Festival, three things came up regularly: a welcoming team, smiling volunteers, and the feeling of having discovered something new.

These comments meant a great deal to the two organizers, since creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere had been part of their vision from the very beginning.

As for the secret behind the success of this first edition, they refuse to take all the credit themselves.

“An event of this scale can’t be carried by just one or two people.”

The trust of their partners, the team’s hard work, the involvement of volunteers, and their shared passion for motorcycles were all essential in turning the project into reality.

Behind the Festival, an Entire Team

Karina and Laurine also want to shine a light on those who worked behind the scenes, sometimes far from the spotlight.

They particularly recognize Albert Lemelin, a motorcyclist for more than 40 years, an administrator of the nonprofit organization, and the person responsible for motorcycle activities on the grounds. His experience and dedication were invaluable.

They also thank Marcel and Gérard Lemelin, their dedicated all-around volunteers, who were there from beginning to end—even when it came time to pack up and return the equipment.

Others who contributed included Laurent, Jean-Marc, Thomas, Alain, Colette, Émilie and her boyfriend, Marie-Ève, Vanessa, Dominique, Valérie, Tara, Sanja, Luka, Jeremy, Sylvain, Martial, Jacques, Pierre, Pierre-Louis, Yves… as well as everyone who generously gave their time and who may have been unintentionally left off this long list.

And finally, it would be impossible not to mention the partners.

“A huge thank-you to ALL our partners who believed in our project and gave us the opportunity to make this first edition happen. Without their trust, support, and involvement, the Quebec Motorcycle Festival simply would not have been possible.”

So… Will There Be a Second Edition?

The answer is now official: yes!

The Quebec Motorcycle Festival will be back for a second edition.

Karina and Laurine have listened to feedback from festivalgoers and would particularly like to secure an earlier date in the summer.

Before that, they want to take the time to analyze this first experience, look at what worked well, identify what could be improved, and, above all, continue evolving their event.

And when asked to sum up this first edition in just three words?

“Moving, exciting, a great challenge!”

All right… that might be a few more than three words, but after everything they’ve accomplished, we can certainly let that one slide!

This Was Only the Beginning…

A first edition is never perfect. It’s an opportunity to try things, learn, make adjustments… and sometimes even surprise yourself.

For Karina and Laurine, this first edition of the Quebec Motorcycle Festival was certainly all of those things at once: months of preparation, doors they had to knock on, partners they had to convince, weather that threw a little curveball into the mix, and that ever-present question that comes with every new project: “Will people show up?”

They did.

But beyond the number of visitors, what really stands out from this adventure is the community that formed around the project.

Volunteers who gave their time. Partners who took a chance on a first edition. Enthusiasts from different corners of the motorcycle world who shared the same grounds for a weekend.

And perhaps that’s where the greatest achievement lies.

Because at the end of the day, whether we ride on two or three wheels, on pavement or off-road, whether we’ve been riding for a few months or several decades, the passion that brings us out on the road remains the same.

Karina and Laurine wanted to bring people together, diversify, and modernize.

This first edition allowed them to lay the foundation.

The next one will give them the opportunity to build on what they’ve created.

See you in 2027… because the Quebec Motorcycle Festival story is only just beginning.

Thank you to @magnessxx for some of our photos. We invite you to check out their various social media platforms to see more.

Isabelle