LAS MARIAS MC: Mexico
PHOTOS | KATE DISHER-QUILL
If you haven't learnt of Las Marias MC, the all women club gracing the streets of Mexico City, then let us enlighten you. Their catch cry is also a call for freedom where they feel stronger and safer on amongst the chaos of Mexico City roads when they're together but also, and perhaps more to the point of their pursuit for freedom is in the boldness in which they express themselves. Their club titles also come with alter egos that heighten their passion for riding and the individuality it affords. There is no specific bike type, for the Marias their club is about riding and standing stronger together. Our photographer Kate Disher-Quill spent the day riding through the city and eating at floating restaurants with Carla, Romina, Andrea and Ananda while in Mexico recently and captured their personalities amongst some very Mexican past times.
INTERVIEW| LAS MARIAS MC
“We like dirt and we got titties”
IVV: WHAT IS A MARIA?
LMMC: A "Maria" is an authentic, unique and brave woman. A shout for freedom.
IVV: WHO ARE LAS MARIAS?
LMMC: Each Maria has a particular style, therefore our motorcycles have our personality and are different in their own way. The Marias are four Mexican women who are in love with motorcycles and the life that comes around them.
CARLA HENKEL BLACKBIRD | PRESIDENT/FOUNDER | RIDES TRIUMPH THRUXTON 900
Piercing eyes with a heart of fire, wings that are not afraid to fly as high as they were meant to; sometimes even higher! Black Bird sees the road ahead as a metaphor for life, you can either ride it or let it ride you. Under her wings women are more than a pack, they are freedom, courage and sisterhood.
ROMINA LYLE MRS POWERS | VICE-PRESIDENT | RIDES HARLEY-DAVIDSON 883
Her and her machine are one, watching them at high speed is like enjoying a sight of stallions across a prairie, she is fearless and free and at every cross road she will always choose the one that takes her further into knowing herself however difficult that might be. She invites others to follow their dreams and she will make sure that no one is left behind.
ANDREA TORRE GUMMY BEAR | PR | RIDES BMW GS 650
FOMO (fear of missing out), that would be exactly how to describe her and just like Gummy Bears she has many flavors. Sometimes she is a Dj, other times a model or a singer, you will see her sweetly seducing anyone she finds attractive and that can keep up with her “try to take it all at once” kind of attitude. Nothing can stop her from getting back on her bike.
ANANDA MORA SAVAGE | SERGEANT AT ARMS | RIDES BETA 200
Savage. There are no rules in her world and she could not care less about what other people think. She rides her bike at high speed and will leave you behind just to enjoy a time of loneliness in nature without giving it a second thought. One might think of her as a straight mezcal shot but when you get to know her she is more like a Shirley Temples meets Johnnie Walker.
IVV: HOW DID YOU COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP?
BLACKBIRD: Las Marias were born out of my desire to belong to a group with the same spirit and purpose, like minded women who would share their love for freedom.
It started slowly, first with me recovering from a motorcycle accident and wanting a bike of my own, in those days I would dream and collect images from other clubs as inspiration to form my own. Before I even had sisters to ride with I knew Las Marias needed to be born. Little by Little, through Facebook posts, through friends of male riders and by wearing my patch in my everyday I found us all. Even though we had never met before there was an instant connection and commitment to one another. Las Marias were ready to go out into the world.
IVV: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT THIS DESIRE FOR FREEDOM, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?
BLACKBIRD: I am of the believe that one can only grow as much as you decide to face your fears. For me riding is always reminding me of my essence, of always following my path and keeping focus on the road without leaving anyone behind but always reaching for my goals. I would not be able to do any of this if I had no freedom and I know that I am lucky for it and do not want it to go to waste.
IVV: WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR AS A CLUB?
BLACKBIRD: We want a Mexico where women are in charge of their own path and when you are afraid there is a sisterhood that can remind you of your strength and of who you are.
IVV: WHAT IS RIDING IN MEXICO LIKE FOR WOMEN?
BLACKBIRD: Mexico City for both men and women is not an easy city to ride in, it is chaotic as any big city and as a driver you must always have four eyes on the road. It does not help that anyone can drive, our driving tests are not exactly challenging and anyone who is 18 years old is entitled to have a driving license that can be used both for cars and motorcycles. In general to see big motorcycles is not that common and when people realize we are women riders they always make a double take to be sure they saw correctly, it really amuses them, even taking pictures or yelling at us “look The Charlie´s Angels”.
IVV: WHAT DO YOU EACH LOVE ABOUT RIDING?
BLACKBIRD: I enjoy the journey, the speed, the connection with a machine, the knowledge of knowing that your whole life depends on you. I love the culture and community of riders that always comes with a philosophy that stands for friendship, recognition and a lifestyle that only few can be part of.
MRS.POWERS: Being on the road with the sound of your engine, seeing the scenery, and being wrapped up by nature is something you can only feel very few times. And the best part about this is watching your sisters on the road sharing that same moment.
GUMMY BEAR: Is feeling the adrenaline of total freedom, feeling I can fly and go anywhere. What I love about riding is forgetting everything but the road and living the moment.
SAVAGE: ADRENALINE! I love the feeling of me and the road becoming one, challenging the speed and always finding new places.
IVV: WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR LMMC?
LMMC: We want to reconquer the Mexican roads, to make them available for us to explore our country and our traditions, so we can show them in other parts of the world. We also want to set an example for other Mexican women on how to dare to follow their dreams.
CONTACT LAS MARIAS MC VIA THEIR WEBSITE
FB | LAS MARIAS MC IG | @LASMARIASMC TWITTER | @LASMARIASMC
An adventurer and all round badass, Kate is a gun at whatever photographic subjects are thrown her way. Her photography is beautifully lit storytelling at its best and brings a sophistication to the flying dirt and greasy hands that we love.
