December 2025 - Anna O'Neil

Fast Facts

• 7,000 mile roundtrip from Minnesota to the Arctic.
• Riding since 16.
• @annaodssey on Facebook, Instagram

Hometown/State?
Duluth, MN

First motorcycle?
1983 750 Honda Interceptor with a V4 engine

Current motorcycles?
2007 BMW F650gs and 2016 Triumph Tiger 800 Xcx low. All time favorite - my 1999 1200 Buell Lightning was pretty special to me.

How long have you been riding?
I have been riding since I was 16. I’m old now.

Why did you first start to ride?
The first time I rode, I was on back and was terrified and exhilarated at the same time. I decided to not be terrified, I needed control.

What makes you most excited about motorcycling?
The focus required is meditative, the community is loving, and pushing my limits on a bike helps me grow as a person.

How did you first learn about Aerostich?
I think I heard about it after a chance encounter with Paul “the Iceman” Mondor about a year ago.

What gear do you use?
I have a Darien Light Jacket, AD1 Pants with boot covers, a wind resistant fleece, and elk skin gloves for my long distance ride on varied terrain, but am excited to get my Cousin Jeremy for my local rides so I can be stylin’!

Who or what was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
None really. I do me.

What has been your experience as a female rider?
Sadly, I rarely see other women on the road. I’m trying to change this. My skills and experience are often underestimated. I think the riding community has been really helpful and encouraging for me overall, probably more so because I am a woman. I feel like a bit of a novelty when I’m on the road - people are so curious.

Advice for women riders and non-riders?
Expand yourself riding (or learning to ride) by going outside your comfort zone, whatever that looks like for you. You will be amazed at what you can do on a bike, how it can grow confidence, and how that will change your life - Go solo.

Tell us about your trip to the Arctic.
I conquered over 7,000 miles roundtrip - I set out solo from Minnesota and made my way up the Alaska Highway and the Dempster to Tuktoyaktuk Northwest Territory on my Tiger. I spent 1,100 miles on remote rugged terrain (dirt, mud, dust, shale, river-rock). It's the only public road in North America to the Arctic Ocean. I returned down the Cassiar-Stewart Highway through BC, then to Jasper and Banff. I spent about 3.5 weeks on the road, met beautiful people, faced many challenges (dropping my bike near a herd of wood bison, wiping out on dirt, cold wet weather), and saw remoteness and beauty that I didn’t know existed in this world. I grew as a person as a result of everything. I’ve made many solo long distance camping trips - this was special.

What is the best motorcycle advice or tip you’ve received?
Ride your own ride. Speed, distance, bike, terrain, at a level you are able to handle.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling?
I am a high school teacher, a job I love. I like to play pool and cross country ski.

Aerostich-related or Aerostich-specific stories?
No specific story but I can say that on this trip to the Arctic, I went through 90 degrees and sun to freezing and snow with everything you could imagine in between. I came across a lot of soggy, cold, or too warm riders and found I fared well with comfort and safety compared to those I met on the way.