Ladies Rock Off-Road Club

Organization Spotlight: How Ladies Rock Off-Road Club is Empowering Women One Adventure at a Time

Here at Goats Trail Apparel, we’re all about partnering with organizations that capture our shared ethos of adventure and community that comes with off-roading. That's why we're stoked to spotlight one of our favorite partners who embodies everything we stand for – Ladies Rock Off-Road Club (LROC).

In a sport traditionally dominated by men, the women of LROC aren't just along for the ride. They're behind the wheel – redefining what it means to be an off-road enthusiast.

Built on three powerful pillars – Community, Collaboration, and Camaraderie – LROC has grown from a small Facebook group into Minnesota's premier women's off-roading organization.

With over 60 official members and a thriving online community, they're proving that the best adventures happen when women support women. We recently caught up with Chris Talley, current board member and events committee chair, to hear more about the story of LROC and what the organization has been up to recently.

How LROC Started

Every movement starts with a simple idea, and for Ladies Rock Off-Road Club, it began with the encouraging voices of North Star Jeep Club members telling their wives and girlfriends: "Get behind the wheel. Give it a try."

Between 2016 and 2018, what started as women-only trail rides within North Star Jeep Club began to evolve into something bigger. LROC leaders Angela Hinkley, Jenny Kelly, and Jessica Mahan recognized the magic happening on those trails.

With the full support and encouragement of North Star Jeep Club, they took a leap that would change Minnesota's off-roading community forever.

"Those three ladies did, along with a lot of other women who were off-roaders, and that's how LROC was born," explains Chris.

The genius was in the approach. LROC started as a Facebook group with a simple but revolutionary premise: create a safe space where women could ask any question about off-roading without fear of judgment. In a world where online forums could be brutal to newcomers, LROC offered something different.

"There are some Facebook groups out there where, when you ask a quote-unquote dumb question, they are just terrible," Chris shares. "So LROC was a place where women could ask basic questions and feel safe to ask those questions."

That safety translated to the trails. Chris's own story captures the LROC spirit. As a self-identified “Facebook group lurker” for a year, she finally attended her first event in March 2019.

"I had never met any of these ladies. But I felt safe in what I'd seen on the Facebook group that if I don't know what I'm doing, they'll help me out."

And help they did. When Chris couldn't get her Jeep over the very first rock on the trail, fellow off-roader Angela Hinkley didn't take over – she taught. "She told me what I needed to do, how to work my pedals... two-foot drive and all of that kind of stuff. And she got me over the rock."

Today, that same rock still sits on the trail.

"I look at that rock now going, oh my gosh, that rock is still on the trail... I can't believe I couldn't get over that rock." It's become a monument to how far she's come, and a reminder of LROC's mission: empowering women to conquer their own obstacles, both on and off the trail.

More Than Just Mud and Motors

Ask any LROC member what makes their organization special, and you'll quickly realize it's about way more than teaching tire pressure and approach angles.

This is about transformation – the kind that happens when women who run households, manage careers, and juggle a million responsibilities finally find something that's just for them.

"Most of these women are the matriarchs of the family," Chris explains. "We run the household, we run everything... so having something that we may not be sure about, and having other folks that are willing to teach us and be able to support us and show us how to do things instead of just doing it for us, I think that really is the heartbeat of why this group is so powerful."

The three pillars of LROC aren't just words on a website – they're lived experiences on every trail ride:

Community means no one wheels alone.

It's the Facebook group where newbies can ask about diff locks without getting roasted. It's the experienced wheeler who remembers her first time and takes extra care with newcomers. It's knowing that whether you're driving a pristine 4Runner or a beat-up XJ, you belong here.

Collaboration looks like four women working together, learning throughout the process.

It's the mechanical knowledge freely shared, the trail tips passed along, and the collective problem-solving that turns obstacles into opportunities.

When Chris handed an angle grinder to a woman who'd never used one, she didn't just say "be careful" – she made sure a fellow wheeler spent 10 minutes teaching her properly. "I knew she could do it, and I gave her the confidence to do it."

Camaraderie is what keeps members coming back.

It's the inside jokes born from trail mishaps, the friendships forged through shared challenges, and the unbreakable bonds created when you trust someone to spot you through a sketchy line.

LROC's inclusive approach sets them apart in the off-road world. While some clubs obsess over specific brands or build specs, LROC welcomes everything from stock Subarus to custom-built rock bouncers.

“A majority of our members have Jeep-branded vehicles, but we are open to every vehicle," Chris notes. It's not about what you drive – it's about the courage to drive it.

Building Community Through Action

The true measure of any off-road club is found in what they give back. For LROC, community service isn't an afterthought; it's woven into the fabric of who they are.

Throughout the year, LROC keeps the momentum going with regular activities that balance fun with purpose. Their calendar reads like an adventurer's dream: first-timer trail rides, technical workshops, and social gatherings that strengthen bonds off the trail.

Take their 4x4 Day celebration every April 4th – what other clubs might turn into a serious trail run, LROC transforms into an ice cream social.

"We go for ice cream and sit in the parking lot and talk about all the things we're going to do this summer," Chris shares. It's this balance of approachable fun and serious wheeling that makes LROC accessible to women at every skill level.

But LROC's impact extends far beyond their own membership. Their donation center shows their pay-it-forward mentality that defines the off-road community.

"We take people's lightly used off-road parts. If you upgrade your vehicle, we take them in the donation center," Chris explains.

That stock bumper you replaced might save someone from an insurance claim after a tree encounter. Those takeoff fenders? Perfect for someone just starting their build journey. Best of all, the center serves the entire 4x4 community, not just LROC members.

Their charitable work hits even closer to home. The annual holiday party doubles as a fundraiser for local organizations. Last year's recipient was Invisible Wounds. They've spent weekends making blankets for Mighty Myles Superhero Network, bringing comfort to children and families at Mayo Clinic.

When Minnesota needed new trails, LROC stepped up as sponsors to build in the state forests. They even adopted a stretch of highway, because keeping Minnesota beautiful is everyone's responsibility.

"We are very civic-minded," Chris emphasizes, and it shows. LROC isn't about performative activism. They believe in genuine care for their community expressed through muddy hands and donated hours. It could look like clearing trails, collecting for charity, or helping a fellow wheeler find affordable parts.

Women's Weekend of Wheeling: The Crown Jewel Event

Chris is most excited to share about the upcoming 7th annual Women's Weekend of Wheeling (WWW) rolling into Iron Range OHV Recreation Area June 19-22, 2025.

This weekend is LROC's flagship event – a four-day celebration of everything that makes women wheelers unstoppable.

"We're hoping to have 50, all women off-roaders and a variety of vehicles," Chris shares. From first-time drivers to seasoned rock crawlers, WWW creates space for every skill level to shine. And yes, men are welcome – but with a twist. "Women's weekend is about women being behind the wheel. Men are all in support roles." It's a powerful role reversal that puts women literally in the driver's seat.

The weekend kicks off Thursday with registration at West Forty RV Park, but Friday is when the real learning begins. LROC has expanded their education offerings to three power-packed classes:

Rig Readiness Class (9-11 AM) with Lakeville Off-Road's Ian and Kate Hunter covers everything from pre-trail inspections to post-adventure maintenance.

"From airing down your tires, sway bar disconnects to rig inspection for lines and fluids before and after you hit the trail," this hands-on class ensures everyone knows their rig inside and out.

BSF Recovery Session (12-2 PM) brings the legendary BSF Recovery Team to teach the fundamentals of getting unstuck.

“They do all of their recoveries for free, and they make sure that they are out at all of our women's events," Chris notes. Learning kinetic ropes, soft shackles, and winch techniques from the pros who've seen it all? Priceless.

Pick Your Line with Tops Off Adventures (2:30-4:30 PM) takes trail reading to the next level. Jen Chapin leads participants through the fundamentals of navigating the trails – from basics to advanced rock crawling skills.

Saturday brings the main event – trail rides sorted by skill level. Chris always leads the first-timers, ensuring newcomers feel supported.

The "easy" group builds confidence, while the medium group (lovingly nicknamed "box of chocolates" because, according to Chris, "you never know what you're going to get") offers variety. The hard group tackles Gilbert's toughest challenges, and this year features something special.

"The Jeep badge of honor program just named one of the most difficult trails in Minnesota," Chris says. Mesabi Mountain Trail, a four-mile gauntlet requiring a minimum of six hours to complete, will challenge LROC's most experienced wheelers.

But WWW isn't all about conquering rocks. Saturday's activities include a medallion hunt with clues dropped every 30 minutes, turning the trails into a treasure hunt.

The evening brings everyone together for a taco bar dinner (with vegetarian options), awards, raffles, and more. The night wraps with campfire stories and a slideshow celebrating the day's adventures.

Sunday offers optional wheeling to the Virginia Expansion area, perfect for those not ready for the weekend to end!

How To Get Involved with LROC

Are you ready to join the LROC family? The beautiful thing about this organization is that there's no intimidating initiation or experience requirement.

"The hardest part for all of us is taking the initiative and getting out of your comfort zone," Chris shares. But once you take that first step, LROC makes the rest easy.

Start with the Facebook group – it's free, welcoming, and full of women who remember being exactly where you are.

"We encourage everybody to start joining the Facebook group," Chris advises. Lurk for a while if you need to (Chris did for a year!) and ask questions when you're ready.

When you're ready for more, LROC offers multiple entry points. Their eat-and-greet events provide low-pressure opportunities to meet members without committing to a trail ride.

Charity events let you contribute to the community while getting to know the group. Educational workshops build skills without the pressure of keeping up on a trail.

Annual membership runs just $30 and includes discounts on events, access to members-only activities, and invitation to the holiday party.

But the real value? "If you want to get to know the ladies of Ladies Rock Off Road Club, then come to one of our eat and greets, or one of our charity events or education events, see what we're all about," Chris encourages.

Even if you're not ready to wheel, there's a place for you. "Even if you're not ready to take your vehicle off road, there are plenty of open seats that we'll be glad to have you ride along with." It's this inclusive approach that transforms nervous newcomers into confident wheelers.

And hey, once you're hooked, swing by Goats Trail Apparel to grab official LROC gear. We're proud to partner with these amazing women and help them look good while conquering trails!

The Road Ahead

Seven years on, LROC's impact on Minnesota's off-road community is incredible. They've created a model that other states are watching, proving that women don't need a separate-but-equal version of off-roading – they need support, education, and the chance to drive their own adventures.

"I could tell you so many stories about women who have been going through divorce and were at a low point in life and needed the thrill of off-roading and the camaraderie of the group," Chris reflects. These aren't just members; they're women who found strength, confidence, and lifelong friendships on the trail.

By normalizing women behind the wheel, teaching technical skills without condescension, and building a supportive community, LROC is reshaping off-road culture for the better. Every woman who conquers her first obstacle inspires another to try – and every successful recovery teaches resilience.

As Chris puts it: "The hardest part is taking the first step." But with LROC waiting on the other side of that step, ready with encouragement, education, and probably some cake, that first step has never looked more inviting.

Ready to find your people? Visit LROC online or join their Facebook group. Your adventure starts with a single click – and who knows? Next year at WWW, you might be the one who is overcoming their first "impossible" rock!