Why Camp VC is the Highlight of My Year (And Should Be Yours Too)
I will be forever grateful that Sarah from Inch Perfect Trials did one more run to get me this shot!
Spend more than five minutes with me, and you'll hear about Camp VC—it’s the absolute highlight of my year, every year.
But what exactly is it, and why should you go?
On the surface, Camp VC is a women-only motorbike festival in Wales, but it's so much more. In their own words:
“We believe in a world where women have the ultimate freedom and safety to explore…
To explore who they are.
To explore who they want to be.
To explore everything they’ve always wanted to try but never felt they could or should.
To explore free from anyone else’s perceptions and expectations.”
The festival offers everything: motorbike riding, skateboarding, mountain hikes, e-mountain bike rides, camping, wellness activities, creative workshops, wild swimming, and of course, one epic party—all set against the stunning Welsh landscape. It's a safe, welcoming space for women, trans women, and non-binary folks to explore their potential free from judgment. And it’s fiercely LGBTQIA+ friendly.
My bestie Katie first told me about Camp VC in 2020, but, for obvious reasons, we had to wait until 2021 to attend. Jen, my other BFF, tagged along after we convinced her camping could actually be fun. It was a weird, post-lockdown time, but we had a blast—WAP dance lessons, karaoke, and dirt biking with Days on the Dirt. Afterwards, I was determined to get a motorbike and ride back the next year.
In 2022, the festival moved to the Sweet Lamb Motorsport Complex. Jen and I made it there on our new 125cc motorbikes, despite our satnav sending us down every tricky lane imaginable. After securing tattoos in the Stories and Ink Airstream, we waited in the sun for Katie and our newest crew member, Ella.
But that was the last of the sunshine. Camp VC 2022 is still spoken of with a shudder—once the rain started on Saturday, it didn’t stop. With zero phone signal, it felt like another world. But did the rain stop play? Absolutely not. We still had a blast trying out trials bikes with Inch Perfect Trials (not for me), riding Enduro bikes with legend Patsy Quick (definitely for me), and screaming along to Killing in the Name Of at karaoke.
In 2023, the festival moved to One Giant Leap mountain bike park—by far the best location yet. Jen and I rode in again, still at 125 speed, but I’d passed my full license and upgraded to a Big Girl bike. Our crew expanded with Ella’s cousin Alex and some of Katie’s surf friends. Amazingly, there was no rain this time! We rode e-MTBs, tackled Enduro again, and even got up the nerve to rock karaoke. Having 400 women scream Teenage Dirtbag back at you is a whole vibe.
Now, onto 2024—my favourite year yet, and I was working the whole time! Earlier this year, I went full-time with brand, wedding and event photography, and Camp VC was at the top of my list of dream events. Thankfully, Gemma, the incredible festival director, brought me on board.
I rode down on my dream bike—a Royal Enfield Himalayan, which I’d only gotten a week before. I quickly bonded with the awesome volunteers (George, Claire, Hannah, and Bryony—y’all are stars!) and hit the ground running. From shooting first-time moto riders to capturing the wild swimmers and getting down at the hoe down, it was a whirlwind of amazing moments.
Saturday afternoon was the highlight of my photography career so far—interviewing badass attendees with Gemma and directing motorbike stunts in the setting sun. I left with 5,000 photos and even more inspiration.
I’m already buzzing for next year. If you're looking to try something new in 2025, you should be there. Head to their website, sign up for the mailing list, and be first in line when tickets drop. Make sure you check out the new Community page to hear from the interviewees!
And if you’re planning a rad event and need a photographer, hit up my contact page—I’d love to hear from you.
Ride safe, stay wild, and see you next year!
P.S. What does VC stand for? IYKYK.
