Trail Tales: What You Need to Know About the All Female Rebelle Rally!

Deborah and Julia are team Omada Adventure in the Rebelle Rally! This is an incredible seven day, 1200-mile rally just for women. Rhino-Rack spoke with Julia about the challenges ahead and how women are kicking ass at adventure off-roading.

Sand Duning
(All Images supplied by @omadaadventure)

Where: Lake Tahoe Nevada
When: October 13th, 2016
Vehicle:
Land Rover LR4
Rhino-Rack Products:
  Rhino-Rack Backbone, Pioneer Platform, Pioneer Recovery Track Side Bracket, Pioneer Shovel Holder Bracket, and Foxwing Awning.

Rhino-Rack: What is it about exploring the outdoors that keeps you coming back for more?

Julia: Everything! Breathing fresh air, exploring new spaces, escaping everyday life and taking in all the beauty the outdoors has to offer.

Rhino-Rack: How are you preparing for the trip? What are the important steps?

Julia: We've been preparing for this trip since January, starting with a navigation and driving training event in the Glamis Dunes. The Rebelle will require acute navigation skills as well as driving abilities for many different off-road conditions such as sand, rocks and obstacles. We’ve also had to really get to know our competition rig, the Land Rover LR4. Learning it's unique gearing and computerized off-road system has been very important to our success dealing with so many different terrains. We have also had to practice recovery drills such as adjusting tire pressure, digging out, fixing punctures and changing tires in unique conditions and keeping a keen eye on engine condition.

4x4 getting air
Rhino-Rack: What an amazing amount of knowledge you’ve taken in! What are the weather and terrain conditions going to be like?

Julia: I think we are expecting fairly mild fall weather but will be prepared for rain, snow, heat and wind. The rally begins near the Rubicon and includes plenty of days in the Nevada Desert sand and dunes as well as Sierra Mountain terrain.

Rhino-Rack: What do you intend to do/see/ experience?

Julia: This is a challenge of teamwork and fortitude. We have 7 long days of working together to map out routes and manage obstacles and terrain. Mental fortitude, patience, going with your gut, remaining calm and managing energy along with working as a partnership will challenge both of us and create a very unique memory.

Rhino-Rack:
Tell me about the other competitors?

Julia: We've met so many great people. Especially out on the trails and in training sessions.  The other ladies preparing for the Rebelle are awesome, the vendors who have chosen to step up and support us and fellow Rover owners sharing their successes and challenges on the back roads.

Foxwing on the beach
Rhino-Rack: What’s the best lesson learnt so far?

Julia: That we are fully capable of taking on the back roads, navigating different terrains and managing recovery on our own.

Rhino-Rack: How did Rhino-Rack products help to facilitate your adventure?

Julia: Our Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform has been integral to our success! Primarily we use it to carry all the gear we need. The amount of Rhino-Rack accessories and brackets mean we can attach MaxTrax, gerry cans, shovel and more. This quality roof rack has allowed us to put extra bodies in the car and utilize the third row of seats by putting luggage and other equipment on the roof. Our favorite though is the Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning, we open that up on the sandy beaches of Baja and relax with family and friends.

Chilling on the beach
Rhino-Rack: What obstacles have you faced?

Julia: Our biggest obstacles were probably in our last training session in the big rocks and boulders of the San Bernardino Mountains. We had to be very tactical and patient and work with the car to climb up and over.

Rhino-Rack: What is it about the Rebelle Rally that makes it worthwhile?

Julia: Creating friendship bonds and discovering new locations, testing our abilities and just getting off the grid has made this journey all worthwhile!

Rhino-Rack: Where can we see the Rebelle Rally?

Julia: Follow the Rebelle Rally at www.rebellerally.com

Sunset on the beach

Rhino-Rack Trail Tales Series
We’ll be posting stories taken directly from Rhino-Rack Customers. Adventurers who want to share their explorations around America. If you’d like to get involved in the Rhino-Rack Trail Tales please contact Rhino-Rack's online department via customerservice@rhinorack.com or through any of our social media platforms listed below.
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