A weekend of motorcycles, sisterhood and independence. Beginning four years ago, female bikers from across the country have gathered once a year to ride, bond and camp under the stars at the campground. ‘Babes Ride Out’, which started with 50 women, has grown to over 1,600 and is a strong network of female riders. Women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds come together: young millennials pierced and tattooed, Gen-X free-spirited professionals and baby boomers with years of riding under their belts. Women who once might have found biker culture through men are now discovering it with other women.

All the riders had one thing in common: a love of the open road under the power of their two-wheel machines. For some, it was a Harley-Davidson, for others a Ducati, Triumph, Yamaha, Kawasaki or Honda. Sportsters, cruisers, classics and touring bikes shared the road.

Story and Photography for the Los Angeles Times: Gail Fisher