What’s in a name? We’ll find out in today’s Team Tuesday – Sedona Blinson and Lyn Woodward, Team #106 Wild Grace!
This is the second year these two are competing together in a Nissan vehicle. Last year they drove the Armada Mountain Patrol and piloted it to a Top Ten finish in the 4×4 class. How do they feel about competing together this year, and better yet, what are their plans for extraterrestrial adventures? Read on to find out!
Hometown/Current town
Sedona: Apache Junction, AZ/ Sierra Vista, AZ Lyn: New York City/NY, Los Angeles, CA
Sedona: “I can’t quit you.” Really, each year is so different and I love pushing myself towards different goals. Lyn: The Rebelle is my fly paper, what can I say. Every year offers up a great new story, and I can’t stay away from the people.
How did you and your teammate meet? Why did you choose her?
Sedona: We met at the 2017 Rebelle! Lyn: See above
Tell us about your competition vehicle. Why did you choose it to compete in?
Sedona & Lyn: We’re partnering with Nissan again this year and bringing something special to the course that we can’t talk about yet, but we’re extremely excited for.
Nissan has been an incredible partner for the past four years. It’s exciting to see them here again for a 5th. Nissan’s the only OEM to have a vehicle compete all five years, so, like Sedona they’re 100% Rebelles. We love how supportive they’ve been not just of this event but of Team Wild Grace.
Any fun facts you’d like to fill us in on?
Sedona & Lyn: Thanks to the skills Sedona’s learned in the Rebelle, she’ll be teaching again this year at “Girl’s Confidence Camp.” Last year she taught basic automotive skills, and compass reading. This year she’s offering a virtual map reading class.
After the 2020 Rebelle Lyn hopes to earn the drivers seat of the next car Elon Musk shoots into space. If her extraterrestrial adventures don’t pan out, Lyn is currently writing a feature film about one of the first American female race car drivers.
Team Tuesday 2020 – Sedona & LynRebelle Rally2020-07-14T20:07:58-07:00
What could possibly be better than competing with your sister in the Rebelle? Competing with your sister in the Rebelle in your father’s 1969 Bronco!
Stoked to welcome Team Roaming Wolves to today’s Team Tuesday. With an adventurous spirit and shared goal for the Rebelle; to try something new, to learn, to do their best, and meet other amazing women all while having a blast – Team #141 is going in thrilled to try something out of their comfort zone.
And they’ve got a fire lit under them for that Bronco prep – the duo cannot wait to add more memories to the beloved family Bronco that played such a large part in their childhood. Read on to find more about this pair of Pacific Northwest sisters who are choosing to enjoy life rather than just live it!
Hometown/Current town
Rochelle: Portland+Vancouver/Battle Ground, WA Melissa: Portland, OR
Occupation:
Rochelle: Photographer and stay-at-home mom Melissa: User experience designer and content strategist
What made you compete this year?
Rochelle: I have wanted to compete in the Rebelle for a while now. I have an adventurous spirit that I don’t get to use too often, but when my husband learned that I wanted to compete, he was all-in and a huge motivator. I spoke with a couple of Rebelles at the NW Overland Rally last year and their enthusiasm only confirmed that this is something I needed to do. I’m pushing myself to try things out of my comfort zone, and I’m thrilled to be doing it in an epic event alongside such strong and kickass women. Melissa: I learned about the Rebelle from my sister (and teammate!) Rochelle, who had been following the 2019 event. She asked if I wanted to do a crazy thing with her, and without hesitation (or really knowing what I was getting into), I said HECK YES!, then immediately asked what the hell a Rebelle Rally was. Once she explained, I was thrilled. For me, doing the Rebelle is all about having an adventure with my sis (adulting tends to get in the way of experiences like this, so it’s a rare and amazing opportunity), learning new skills, doing something entirely for ME, and proving to myself that I can do anything I set out to, even if it’s completely foreign to me. (Which, uh, this is.)
How did you and your teammate meet? Why did you choose her?
Rochelle: I just happened to be talking to my sister about the rally, how I wanted to start enjoying life rather than just living it, how we should be pursuing our dreams, and without even knowing much about the rally, my sister volunteered to be my teammate! I am fortunate to be teaming with my sister because we have an excellent and honest relationship, we understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and can push and motivate each other. Also, we both have weird sense of humors that make us laugh uncontrollably, and I’m sure that’ll help us on the long, trying days. We share the same goal for the Rebelle; to try something new, to learn, to do our best, and meet other amazing women, all while having a blast. Our team name stems from our maiden name – Wolf! Melissa: See above
Tell us about your competition vehicle. Why did you choose it to compete in?
Rochelle: It was only fitting that we compete in our 1969 Ford Bronco that we inherited from our late father, who purchased it new in ’68. Work had already begun on our Bronco, that had sat for nearly 20 years, and its age was quite apparent from the rusted-out floors to the brittle wiring, and the engine was filled with decades old sludge. But it is completely being glammed up with updated systems and new parts, while still maintaining its natural patina. Running it in the Rebelle is something that we want to do to honor our dad and celebrate the Bronco’s resurrection! Plus, the 4030 special designation is a bonus! Melissa: We’ll be competing in our dad’s ‘69 Ford Bronco. Insane? Hope not. 😉 Dad bought it brand new in ‘68 and it played a large part in our childhood — camping trips, target shooting, trail riding, etc. When Dad passed in 2014, it wasn’t in great shape and had been garaged for 20 years (!!!), but we knew we couldn’t part with it — in fact, we were going to rebuild it and use it for another 20 years if we could. When we decided to do the Rebelle, that just lit a fire under us to get it done sooner, and make sure the build would work for the rigors of the rally, and not just weekend adventures. It’s been incredible to see it come back together after all these years…we just wish Dad were alive to see it. It’s definitely going to be emotional for us, but we see it as a way to honor Dad’s legacy. #feels
Any fun facts you’d like to fill us in on?
Rochelle: I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 19 years. We have four kids, ages 4 to 14, a dog named Poppet (so that I could come home and say, in a British accent, “’Alo, Poppet”), and five chickens named after silly Disney birds. I’m extremely quiet and introverted until I’m comfortable, then my goofy side appears. I enjoy a good diy project, whether it is remodeling our home or woodworking, and I love taking long road trips and overlanding with my family, with a dream to someday travel the world with them. Melissa: Let’s see, fun facts…I once co-founded an alternative monthly newspaper that actually did pretty well for a couple of years before folding. I’ve lived in Costa Rica twice, and love to travel (my favorite destination so far has been Ireland). I’m a massive Harry Potter nerd (house: Hufflepuff). I love karaoke and chipped my tooth last year going too hard on a Rage Against the Machine song. I’m more into activities than sports — hiking, kayaking, dancing, bouldering — the sort of things where it’s not awkward to follow up with a self-congratulatory cocktail, you know? (Though I was once named MVP at my very first curling outing, so, you know…look out.) I also enjoy just hanging with the fam, vintage shopping, interior design, cooking, learning languages, arts and crafts (I’m currently teaching myself to watercolor), spreadsheeting everything (I know, gross), and writing.
Can’t wait to meet everyone in person and get out there!
Team Tuesday 2020: Rochelle & MelissaRebelle Rally2020-07-07T19:31:23-07:00
It’s a wild ride as we head into month, but we are hanging on tight and making plans for a great 5th Anniversary edition of the Rebelle Rally. What used to be an achilles heel with no onsite spectators, has created an event that has the best chance of survival in such uncertain times. We are blessed with a great team and have been going through all parts of the rally to make it as safe as possible. Rest assured that we are committed to not just “getting it done” but making it GREAT! We have taken on the challenge to be a role model competition and production and are working hard give our competitors our best. “If it were easy, everyone would do it,” has never rang more true. But Rebelles are up for the challenge.My highlight in June – For the past 3 months I’ve had the honor to work with a group of Adventure Princesses to teach them navigation via Zoom. The incredible crew consisted of fathers and daughters ages 9-12 years old. Due to COVID, we held our classes online and gave the girls and their dad’s hiking and driving challenges to do on their own. Two weekends ago for Father’s Day, we met up (face masks and hand sanitizer-equipped) and did an actual “mini rally.” I gave the girls a 40 kilometer road book, and a custom Rebelle map with 4 black checkpoints. The rules? The girls had to navigate and Dad had to listen. And the results? These smart, adventurous kids nailed it and got all their black checkpoints in under 10 meters! The online training and simple challenges work. What I learned? They didn’t overthink it, and embraced the unknown.
Ladies…no more excuses.We hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter and will take a few moments to read our blog from June’s Rebelle Impact activities, download our Rebelle 100% Spotify playlist, read our kick off Team Tuesday, access key links from the lockdown free training classes, and read through some of our latest press. And if you are not competing in this year’s rally, mark your calendars for October 8-17th to watch the live webcast, where we will bring the desert, teams and competition to your screens.Stay safe and rally on!
REBELLE IMPACT: The past few months have been a time of definite reflection for us. We’ve had a heartfelt look at what we currently do, and what we can always do better – both as humans and as an organization. READ OUR BLOG NOW on action we have taken as an organization, via our Rebelle Impact fund during the month of June.
Rebelle Impact, a brand and fund we created in 2019, isn’t something we heavily promote. It’s action not words and represents a commitment to the impact the Rebelle Rally, and Rebelles, can make on the world.
In 2019 alone, the Rebelle Impact Fund sent 18 girls in third-world countries to school for a year and assisted women’s businesses in places where it is challenging being a woman let alone keeping a positive entrepreneurial spirit. Leaving a legacy that supports the vision to leave the world a better place is what we care about. As we look inward and look ahead, may we all strive to be the best humans we can be.
Last newsletter we brought you the Rebelle Base Camp 1 playlist. For July, here’s Rebelle 100%, a collection of some favorites along with a dose of motivation.
Did you catch up on our Facebook Live Rebelle U courses? Spanning the course of seven weeks, these courses were created to help women prepare for not only the Rebelle Rally, but any future adventures. Map basics, vehicle recovery, and how to market your team are just a few of the courses available. Taught by experts, this is definitely time well spent for new competitors or women looking to compete in the rally. And succeed in getting to the start line! Start your journey to the Rebelle now.
SPONSOR SHOUTOUT TO CHOCOLOVE Because who doesn’t love a special delivery?
Since 2018 Chocolove has provided the fuel our teams need to cross the finish line. And not only do competitors benefit from their made in Boulder, Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate, staff and media also count on their dark chocolate for a much-needed afternoon boost! The chocolate is incredible, and the people behind it are equally wonderful.
And as unofficial chocolate connoisseurs, trust us when we say once you try Chocolove, there’s no going back. We use their online shipping anytime we’d like to send someone a little happiness in the mail – because chocolate makes everything better.
Rebelle July NewsletterRebelle Rally2020-07-03T17:07:22-07:00
One of only two teams who have competed together every single year since the inaugural Rebelle Rally in 2016 – meet 2019 CUV champs Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe. These two are known for their quick wit and humor, but don’t let that fool you – this duo brings some serious heat to the competition. Read on to learn more about these 100% Rebelles!
Hometown/Current town:
Emme: Hacienda Heights, CA/Oakland Rebecca: Houston, TX/Marina del Rey, CA
Emme: I use the Rebelle Rally as the ultimate off-road test for Roadshow. As such, we’ve done it in a different vehicle every year. Our participation in the EV designation for 2020 will be a huge challenge for us and I look forward to proving (hopefully!) that it’s possible to wheel with electrons, not fossil fuels. Rebecca: And I use the Rebelle Rally as proof to my family and friends that I’m a “cool nerd” who likes to take her vacations competing in high pressure situations with a lot of math which require me to sleep on the ground and urinate behind bushes.
How did you and your teammate meet? Why did you choose them?
Emme: The Rally put Rebecca and I together the first year after we had both lost our respective partners. We had met before but the first time we ever spent any real time with each other was the first day of the Rally. Good thing we’re both tons of fun! Seriously 75% of the time we are laughing. Rebecca: The other 25% of the time I am silently taking headings and plotting checkpoints and Emme is urinating behind bushes.
Tell us about your competition vehicle. Why did you choose it to compete in?
Emme: We can’t tell you just yet what we’re driving, but it’s going to be electric and incredibly awesome. Rebecca: We weren’t sure how we could follow up the Rolls with another vehicle that challenges us to prove whether it could be done. But I think we’ve nailed it and can’t wait to make tracks in the new electric designation with the kind of vehicle that really defines it.
Any fun facts you’d like to fill us in on?
Emme: Emme and Rebecca both attended Yale University. #bragging
Team Tuesday 2020: Emme & RebeccaRebelle Rally2020-06-30T20:05:49-07:00
We’re celebrating our fifth anniversary this year, and excited to kick off our fifth round of Rebelle Rally Team Tuesdays today! And, it’s only fitting we begin with the 4×4 champs from 2019 who will be back this year to defend their title – Team #100 Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley.
Read on for this adventurous (to say the least) team’s recent Q&A with the Rebelle Rally, and look out for them back in the dirt with us this October!
Hometown/Current town:
Rachelle: Missoula, MT/Bozeman, MT
Taylor: Currently Portland, Oregon
Occupation:
Rachelle: Self employed! Co-Founder of Expedition Overland. Cat herder.
Taylor: Marketing Coordinator for my family’s regional fencing and decking company.
What made you compete this year?
Rachelle: Taylor and I made a great team, we had a blast, worked really well together, and can’t wait for round 2! Competing in the Rebelle is one of those outlets that really feed my soul, challenges me, and makes me a better human being!
Taylor: I couldn’t pass up a chance to defend our champion title, but most importantly the Rebelle is my favorite thing I get to do!
How did you and your teammate meet? Why did you choose them?
Rachelle: Taylor and I met in 2016 at the Northwest Overland Rally. I was teaching a class about the Rebelle Rally and my past experiences in Morocco that she attended. We encouraged her to try the Rebelle and she made it happen! I also had the privilege of attending the Rebelle in 2016 when she came in 2nd place having never done anything like it before! We clicked really well together and kept in touch each year after, waiting for the timing to work out for us to be teammates. I’m so glad it did!
Taylor: Teammate: Rachelle and I met at a training for the very first Rebelle that her and her then partner were putting on. We both raced that year, and then continued to stay in touch through our overlanding connections. We tried for 3 years to team up before it finally came together last year! I wanted to race with her because I know she is one of the most competent drivers I’ve ever ridden with, and her personality has just the right combination of serious, “get it done” attitude and so much fun and joy at the same time!
Tell us about your competition vehicle. Why did you choose it to compete in?
Rachelle: We are beyond stoked to get to Rally for Lexus again this year! Last year we drove Stella, a stock Lexus GX 460 which lived up to everything we asked of it, taking us across the finish to first place and a bone stock win! It was a phenomenal, comfortable vehicle that was extremely capable. This year, we will again rally in a Lexus but we can’t tell you which model yet, as it is a surprise. Stay tuned!
Taylor: We’re so happy to be driving a Lexus again this year, more to come on which one!
Any fun facts you’d like to fill us in on?
Rachelle: Mom to 3 awesome boys + black lab fur baby.
Taylor: I took 2nd place in the inaugural race, this will be my 4th Rebelle, and first year with a repeat partner. Directly following the first Rebelle I started a two year overland journey from Oregon to Uruguay in South America. The connections I’ve made in the Rebelle have taken me around the world, including helping 1st year Rebelle Samantha Mumford run an all-ladies Billfishing Tournament in Costa Rica for the last two years, traveling overland through Costa Rica on a Women Overlanding the World retreat with 2 time Rebelle Tracy Ristow, giving talks on overlanding at two Ladies Offroad Network Conventions in Salt Lake City and Atlanta with 1st time champion and LON founder Charlene Bower, and rock-crawling the trails of Moab with 100% Rebelle Melissa Fischer!
Team Tuesday 2020: Rachelle & TaylorRebelle Rally2020-06-23T18:54:37-07:00
For the past several days, we have looked at the murder of George Floyd with such incredible sadness, grief and continued concern for our country. And what fears us most is the eventual fade of the moment, the return to our everyday lives where the moment is remembered, but does not result in change.That can’t happen. The result has to be more than words, a social media campaign. There has to meaningful action. We have to leave this world better than the way it was.
We chose to push pause on social media to turn our attention to how we can take meaningful action. Purposeful and aligned with our core values. We appreciate the social media posts and campaigns, but we chose to place our energy into a plan of action…for the long term. To look within and see what we can do to be part of the best version of our country – for humanity – for black lives – for all lives.
The Rebelle Rally is a strong community. When we created Rebelle Impact, our giving back component, it was with the knowing belief that Rebelles can change the world. At this time, we have women in 188 cities, 38 states/provinces, 8 countries. We believe that change starts at the local and regional level, it’s the place where you know what is going on, your letters matter, your actions matter, your voices matter, and your vote matters. You can make the biggest change at home, right around you. Imagine the world if everyone in your community looked within and tried to be the best teammate they could be, and saw each and every person on that same team.
Through Rebelle Impact, we gave to several worthy causes that we believe are making real change.The Innocence Project – an exceptional organization for fixing wrongs and reforming the criminal justice system. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture – an excellent space to learn important history, and an online space to talk about race and the cancer of bias. We hope you will learn more about them. We supported local La Mesa, CA businesses that were severely damaged in the looting, and are owned by women in our community. And we applied to Salvation Army to serve the underserved in our county.
Rebelles – you are leaders, you are teammates, you are used to moving the goalposts. You overcome adversity, you are solution-minded, you are articulate, you are leading your teams, your children, your communities into the future.Our hope is that you can find your path forward, stay positive, and help create the vision for a place that is the best version of whom we all can be.As an organization and as individuals, let’s keep our compass pointed north.
Reflections and Looking ForwardRebelle Rally2020-06-05T10:57:11-07:00
We’d like to start things off by thanking you for supporting our newsletter. This month we change it up a bit as we focus on not merely news, but on the lifestyle of Rebelle. So keep reading and you will find:
Recommended reading
A must watch vehicle video review by Emme Hall
A little inspiration
A dose of humor
Our Nevada base camp Spotify playlist
This month’s product pick
Exciting things are on the horizon for our newsletters, so make sure to keep an eye on your inbox and spread the word!
RECOMMENDED READING
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Who would’ve known that a book by Malcolm Gladwell would apply so well to the Rebelle Rally and the competition we have created. But it does. Blink is Gladwell’s second book after Tipping Point, another favorite.
In Rebelle U, we recommend Blink as required reading. In the Rebelle Rally, there are multiple times each day that make you question yourself, your skills and your next step. Pushing the button at the blue checkpoint that you question is yours, committing to the black checkpoint, choosing which nav skills you will employ to make your decisions, seeing a road before you that isn’t on the map. Each one of these points causes you to question and make key decisions.
Confidence is low. Doubt creeps in. Your teammate sees your doubt and then questions, and the spiral continues until it’s hard to remember the facts and skills that got you to that point. Keep It Simple principles fly out the window. Overthinking has taken over. Analysis paralysis.
Many times on the rally, we’ve seen competitors pull right up and stop on the black checkpoint, only to sit, recalculate, question, and then drive away. And then there are the times where you know you are not in the right location, but you can’t articulate it. You just know it’s not it.
Enter Blink.
Gladwell uses research and studies to thoroughly cover the topic of rapid cognition from multiple angles – the positive and the negative. Essentially, it’s about trusting your gut, when not to and why your gut is so powerful. It’s about how and why quick decision-making can be so spot on, while information overload can cloud our judgment.
Taking time to train some of the finer points that reach far beyond driving and navigating will reward you with powerful lessons for both competition and life.
DID YOU KNOW?
We craft a playlist for each base camp! After the hard work of laying out the course and checkpoints is finished, we turn our attention to the experience beyond the competition. Each Rebelle base camp is carefully crafted not only for look and feel, but also to appeal to all the senses. Because building an epic course is only one piece of a world class event – the place, the vibe, and the tone all set the stage. And music is key. From Johnny Cash to The Eagles, Ben Harper and Lyle Lovett, our Base Camp 1 Spotify playlist contains a dash of Americana with singer/songwriter musings perfectly suited for our Nevada location – and for Rebelles, a transport back to their own Rebelle days.
There is a reason car dealers Karen and Jo Hannah Hoehn are the rallyists in the family. Watch Bob Hoehn struggle with the map and directions trying to find the Loch Ness Monster. At least he asks for help.
“I will never ever go back to the woman I was before. I will never say I cannot do something, neither fear nor hesitation will decide my fate.”
When KÜHL jumped onboard last year as our clothing sponsor, we were beyond stoked. Because we knew for a fact their pants and jackets were 100% Rebelle proof. These Weekendr Tights are super durable, comfortable, and with the most perfect way of holding up through three, four, dare we say five wears in a row.
FOR THE NAVIGATOR WITHIN US ALL
Thank you to 4-time Rebelle Rebecca Donaghe for sharing
May Newsletter – Humor, Inspiration & a Deep Dive Behind Putting the Rolls Royce SUV to the TestRebelle Rally2020-05-08T16:45:13-07:00
Join Nena Barlow of Barlow Adventures for a course on how to get your Jeep rally ready! As the owner and operator of Barlow Adventure, Nena has been in the Jeep business since 1996. Not only is her knowledge of Jeeps extensive to say the least, Nena is also a 4wd instructor and 3x Rebelle. If you love Jeeps and vehicle prep, this course is for you!
Facebook Live – Jeep PrepRebelle Rally2020-05-08T09:06:07-07:00
The 2019 Rebelle Rally was a competition full of many firsts, including the first entry of a Rolls-Royce – the $400,000 Cullinan to be exact. And the team to pilot the vehicle to a win in the Crossover class was none other than 4x Rebelles and 2018 4×4 co-champions Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe.
If you’d like to experience what it was like for the team to drive this uber luxurious CUV through 2,000 km of dirt roads, double tracks and dunes, Roadshow by CNET’s video delivers. And then some. Check out the capabilities of the Cullinan, and the team, now.
Roadshow by CNET – Rolls-Royce Cullinan Goes Off-Road, Wins the 2019 Rebelle RallyRebelle Rally2020-05-07T17:43:33-07:00
We couldn’t wait to have Overlanding BC take over our Facebook page for their course on Recovery Basics. This crew is one of the few companies we recommend for training – they are top notch instructors in the industry, and with a top notch program. Make sure you check out their Rebelle U training this August on our Events Page – Rebelle U Trail Training with Overlanding BC – Okanagan – Similkameen Region, BC! Get the notepad out now because these tips are helpful for any off-road adventure!
Facebook Live – Recovery BasicsRebelle Rally2020-05-06T14:30:07-07:00
