Fast Babes Featured Rider: @audreychurley

Name: Audrey Hurley

Instagram: @audreychurley

Audrey crushes some serious miles on her Barracuda Silver Low Rider S. She’s been on some super epic trips. Keep reading to learn more about this bad ass woman.

Photo credit: @getBenTmoto

Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside? I was born in Austin, Texas but I’m a Southern California girl through and through. I was raised in Orange County, CA and have been living in sunny North County San Diego for the past 15 years.

How did you initially get involved with motorcycles? I was at a place in my life where I was really ready and looking for some sort of awakening, adventure or change you could say. I wanted very much to branch out, start meeting new people and experience life in a way that I hadn’t done previously. I shared this sentiment with a friend that had a monthly ride with his group and he invited me to join on the back. I remember vividly thinking that day it was the most excitement I had felt in all the previous year and knew I wanted more. I met at least 30 other bikers that day who completely blew my preconceived notion of “biker” stereotype into smithereens.

When did you get your first bike and what was it?  I got my first bike in February 2018. It was a 2009 Harley Davidson Nightster, a 1200 Sporster.

What do you currently ride and why? I ride a 2020 Barracuda Silver Low Rider S. My Nightster had been totaled in an accident where I was side-swiped by another rider which also left my ankle fractured. After I recovered, I chose the FXLRS model because of its stability and potential to be set up to function on long distance rides while still keeping it tight for when I’m riding locally. Cruise control, a fairing, taller bars and a custom seat went on immediately so I could really put on the miles and do what I love to do most which is motocamping.

What is your happiest memory that involves motorcycles? I recently rode four days solo on the East Coast to travel the Great Smoky Mountains. I had been dreaming and planning it out for months and I was nervous and scared at times leading up to it. The moment I finally felt like I had made it was when I got onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. At that point, I started sobbing tears of overwhelming joy that all my efforts, persistence and will to do this trip on my own culminated to this point. All the tension and fears I had felt melted away as I glided to the music in my helmet, sweeping curve after curve over the ridge and I finally gave myself the grace to live that trip in the moment from then on.

Outside of motorcycles, tell us a little about yourself? I’m a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse. I enjoy helping resilient new life flourish under sometimes devastating conditions. I work twelve hour night shifts which has been one of my most challenging barriers I face on an ongoing weekly basis. To reset, I have found hiking is also one of my passions. Getting on trails is one of the ways that helps me reframe, re-energize and find perspective after the stresses of nursing shift work. It’s helped me feel grounded when my mindset has flipped into a poor place because of exhaustion. One of my proudest moments was backpacking 50+ miles over the Trans-Catalina Trail.

How have you become a more confident rider? Things you’ve done to help you gain confidence?  Riding at any and every chance I get! When I first started riding and even now because of my schedule, I often have to ride alone but I never let that stop me. I got advice from a more experienced rider on beginner routes near my house that I could do and I would ride them over and over again every chance I got without waiting for when someone else may or may not have the time to help me. I’d ride to the gym, to the grocery store, to run a dumb errand; every bit of saddle time was an opportunity to grow and challenge myself. Even now, for me the advice is nearly the same - Just get out and ride often - do not wait for a friend to call, or that group ride, or the “cool/fun” ride - Just Go Ride!

What is your dream trip/bucket list ride(s)? My list is gigantic (so here’s just a few). I’ve never been to Colorado yet and there is this place called Garden of the Gods that I read about in the Harley Davidson H.O.G “10 Rides for ‘21” list of destination challenges so that is one spot on my inspiration board for sure. I would love to ride in Canada, Monument Valley, Sedona, Moab/Arches & spend more time in Glacier. My dream is to get my hands on a Pan America so I can get to more trailheads to hit some more difficult hikes which are in places that my bike just cannot clear. If I could ride in more remote roads in places suggested on the Go Fast Don’t Die Newsletter through MotoRetreat like in Chiang Mai -Thailand, Bali - Indonesia & Goa- India, I think I would see the world in very vast new ways and that sort of mind revolution via the world of motorcycles would be an absolute dream come true!

How do you think motorcycles have changed your life? I feel like motorcycles have helped me evolve into a more well rounded human being. The road has been both a healer and a teacher to me in more ways than I could ever even begin to explain but I will do my best. The challenges I’ve faced while traveling have opened my eyes to new ways to see the world, allowed me to explore different microcultures and see humanity with a new perspective. The hurdles I’ve faced have helped me become more adaptive to the curveballs life throws at me and I feel like I’ve grown more grit & resilience as a result when my nature has tended to be more fixed, controlling & rigid in the past. Finally, if you struggle with any family, work or mental health issues, these ailments of the mind & spirit can be calmed and quieted on the road. You have time to reflect and hear yourself with more clarity which allows you the freedom to align yourself with your truest values and purpose.

Do you have any upcoming motorcycle trips/rides planned? I always have rides and trips planned because my job schedule doesn’t allow for much spontaneity & often I have to take time off six months in advance to lock it in. This has proved to be good though because it helps me follow through on the trips important to me whereas I find a lot of other people backout last minute or never seem to make the time for trips. I’ll be riding to Born Free at the end of this month. I’m headed to Yucca Valley for a concert in September. In October, I’m planning a local overnight trip for my birthday. Then, in November I’m riding to Mammoth for a weekend. Finally, I’m looking up some campgrounds for early spring of next year because I’d really like to re-plan a Sedona trip that had been cancelled due to trail closures back during Covid lockdowns. So be sure to send me all your suggestions! 

Photo Credit: @getBenTmoto