Janelle Snowhook

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United States
Silverdale, WA
Janelle Snowhook

Join me as I adventure through life on my motorcycle! I'm exploring open roads near and far, street and dirt. My first bike was a 2003 Honda Shadaow 1100 Sabre.

I've been riding motorcycles for almost three years. I currently ride a 2023 Indian FTR Rally, and a 2022 KTM 890 Adventure R. Riding has changed my life! I've discovered so much about what I can do, and met tons of great women and men who love to do it just as much as I do. I tell my story here, talk about my riding and my journey to learn and grow. I also talk about the equipment, tools, clothing and other things that make my rides more fun, easy and just more rad! GHVHVDN4499322

07/22/2025

“Smoke and Magnets”

Lunch ended with… excitement.

We were suiting back up when Jasmine’s bike suddenly started smoking. Cue all of us freezing mid-gear-up like, “Wait, is that… your bike?” A quick inspection led to the culprit: her battery tender cable. Turns out it had been connected wrong for ten years and finally decided today was the day to self-destruct. The insulation was cooked, but no real damage. She ripped the thing off and we were back in business.

While that was going on, Debra had her own moment of panic: her bike key had vanished. She searched her pockets, bags, jacket, went back into the restaurant… nothing. Just as she was taking her bag apart, she realized: it had stuck to the magnet on the bottom of her tank bag. All that stress, and it never left her bike.

Two small crises, zero disasters, lots of laughter (after the fact).

What’s your best “panic turned funny” story from the road?

07/20/2025

First gas stop of the trip!

Every summer, a few of us from the The Litas - Tacoma, WA carve out a long weekend to hit the road together. It’s become a tradition, one we look forward to all year. We leave behind our daily routines and create a new kind of family for a few days: one built around winding roads, shared miles, and snack breaks that somehow stretch into full conversations.

This year, Debra, Amanda, and I started out together, and Bea and Jasmine (mother-daughter duo!) caught up with us at the first gas station. We were already missing Jolene, who couldn’t make it last-minute because she got sick, but Debra brought her along in spirit, holding up a photo so she wouldn’t be left out of the first group shot.

Not long after, we stopped beneath Ole Bolle; the wooden troll perched near Portland, to pick up Betty.

Weird roadside art, funny faces, and the feeling of being back on the road together. What more could you want?

Do you have a riding tradition that brings your group together?

07/17/2025

There’s a certain kind of tired that only comes from a full day in the saddle, the good kind. The kind where your body is spent but your spirit feels full.
We’d been riding all day and found ourselves at a crossroads... literally and figuratively. Met some other riders, swapped stories, pulled out snacks, and squinted at the map, trying to remember which road led back to camp.
No one was in a rush. It was one of those rare pauses where everything felt just right: good friends, good views, good ride.

Do you have a favorite trail break moment?

07/11/2025

Not every trip has to be about pushing limits.

This weekend at the Touratech-USA Rally looked a little different for me. With my knee on the mend, I knew the dirt miles were off the table, but that didn’t mean I’d miss out. I made new friends, caught some great talks, got fresh Motoz Tyres tires (thanks Pacific Powersports for the awesome service!) on the KTM, and soaked up the camp vibes. Sometimes it’s good to slow it down and just be where you are.

Ever had a trip turn out different than planned but still be exactly what you needed?

07/09/2025

You know it’s going to be a good trip when it starts with coffee shoved into a bike.

We were both so ready to get rolling. She kept watching my location as I made my way to her place, and instead of waiting, met me at a crossroads down the road so we could hit the highway that much faster. The coffee stop was quick; but cutting it close to the ferry, there wasn’t time to drink it. So she wedged it right there in front of her bars, because sometimes you just gotta make it work.

I knew heading out that I probably wouldn’t be riding much dirt this weekend with my cranky knee, but the rally is about way more than that. Good people, good talks, vendors, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. And moments like this one? That’s what makes a trip.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to carry on a bike because you weren’t leaving it behind?

07/07/2025

20 years ago, I was holding her in my arms. Now I’m chasing her down backroads.

My kid just turned 20, and to celebrate, I rode over for dinner and a ride along the water. It wasn’t our first time riding together, but it still feels special every time we do. Watching her pull on her helmet and fire up her own bike… it hits me how fast time moves.

I’m endlessly thankful we live close enough to do this, and even more thankful that we want to. That we’ve built a bond on two wheels, just as strong as the one we’ve had since the day she was born.

If you’ve got a family tradition or ritual that makes you smile every time, I’d love to hear it.

07/04/2025

The ride might be over, but the work never stops.

A couple days after getting home from my last trip, I loaded up my tools and headed to a friend’s shop. Dusty bikes, worn air filters, and oil ready for a change. Honestly, I was looking forward to it. I never set out to be a person who worked on motorcycles. Heck, I didn’t even set out to ride them. But one thing leads to another, and here we are.

What I’ve realized is that most things aren’t as complicated as they first seem. A little research, a few questions to people who know more than me, and a willingness to get my hands dirty usually gets the job done. I’ve always liked that part: dirt under my nails from a garden, from a trail, from a machine I rely on to carry me through the backcountry.

I’m learning as I go. No set timeline, no checklist I’m trying to chase. Just one skill building into another, one ride leading to the next. And I’m good with that.

What’s something you never planned to learn, but now you can’t imagine your life without?

07/02/2025

The adventure continues.

About 150 miles into my ride home, I stopped for gas. Nothing unusual, just a quick fuel-up before getting back on the road. But as I rolled out of the station and started to accelerate, something wasn’t right. I’d upshift, but instead of gaining speed, the bike slowed down.

I didn’t know what was happening, only that it wasn’t good. I managed to safely pull off onto a wide shoulder and started sleuthing. The rear brake pedal had no give. My stomach sank. I’d adjusted the brake lever before leaving camp, and somehow something was off.

It was one of those moments where your brain flips between problem-solving and that low buzz of nerves. I’d never had a mechanical issue like this out on the road before; only small stuff discovered in camp, surrounded by folks with tools and experience. This time, it was just me and a wide gravel shoulder lined with grass.

Fortunately, my friend was only about 20 minutes ahead of me with her trailer. I gave her a call, explained what was happening, and she turned around. I felt this mix of relief and worry as she pulled up, knowing she knows way more about bikes than I do and hoping it wasn’t going to turn into a big, complicated mess.

We did some roadside repairs and got the brake working again, but both of us knew better than to trust it for freeway speeds. It wasn’t a hard decision to load my bike into the trailer. The option was there, and it felt like the smart call.

And honestly? Riding the rest of the way in the AC, swapping stories and watching the miles roll by wasn’t so bad. It was a hot day and, while I would’ve toughed it out, it was kinda nice to kick back for a bit.

I had another friend meet us in Gig Harbor so my friend didn’t have to detour all the way to my place, and I made plans to pick up the bike later in the week, giving ourselves the time to double-check that brake and bring it the last 30 miles home on the quiet backroads where I’d have space and time if anything felt off.

It wasn’t how I pictured the ride home going, but that’s how it is sometimes. You roll with it, lean on your people, and keep the adventure going.

Anyone else ever had a trip end a little differently than planned?

06/30/2025

There’s something about packing up camp that always feels a little different.

My knee was a little sore, but the road home was calling; no schedule, no conversations to keep, just me, my KTM, and the steady hum of the miles. I caught myself replaying a few moments from the trip, the good rides, the spills, and the hot soaks under open skies. I’ll always chase this kind of freedom.

What’s your favorite part of the ride- the trip there, or the ride home?

06/27/2025

First dirt of the day… and not even ten minutes in, I found a deep rut that had other plans for me. Got my front tire out, but the rear stayed stuck. I rolled on the throttle, hoping to muscle through it, but the bike spun around to face the way I came from. I’ve gone down before, it’s part of riding dirt, and my first thought was, “well, there it goes again.” I just didn’t jump clear fast enough this time.

My left foot stayed on the peg while the bike twisted, and my knee took a good crank. Hurt, but nothing felt too serious. The friend riding sweep behind me stayed to make sure I was okay. It’s tough lifting a 450lb bike when one knee doesn’t want to cooperate, but we got it upright after a couple tries. I decided pretty quickly I wasn’t going to tough out the rest of the dirt section. It wasn’t worth risking a worse injury, and I still had the ride home ahead.

I rode the short mile of dirt back to the pavement while my friend followed, and after checking in with the group (thankfully there was cell service, though I had my satellite device too), they continued on while I headed back to camp. I swung by the medic tent, where they confirmed it was a sprain, not a break (though encouraged me to see a dr when I got home). I spent the rest of the day stretched out in the shade with an ice pack, a good book, and the satisfaction of knowing I made the right call for myself.

I’ve learned over time that yeah, I’m the slow one on these rides, and I’m good with that. I’d rather be slow and sure than fast and picking gravel out of my helmet liner more than I already do. Confidence builds with miles, and I plan to stack mine at my own pace. Street rides are still on the menu this summer, though I might be stopping to stretch a little more often.

Not every ride goes as planned, but every ride teaches me something.

What’s a moment where you knew it was time to call it, even when you didn’t want to?

06/25/2025

Some sunsets just stop you in your tracks.

Even at a busy rally camp, there are quiet corners and quiet moments if you look for them. I wandered off for a bit and found this view- just a sky on fire, a truck, and some tents silhouetted against it all. These are the pauses that keep me steady, reminders that no matter how loud or chaotic life gets, this world still offers up moments of peace if you’ll slow down long enough to catch them.

Do you chase sunsets too, or let them find you?

06/23/2025

Early stop on the trail, waiting for a few folks to catch up.

It was one of those moments where the world felt wide and still, even with other riders moving through. Nobody rushed.

We picked a safe, wide spot off the main line; no sense stopping on a corner or rocky stretch with so many bikes out here. I remember feeling calm, the good kind of anticipation humming under the surface, with the whole day ahead of us. A few minutes to breathe, adjust a glove, sip some water. Then it was helmets on, throttles up, and back into it.

When you’re out on a ride, do you prefer stopping where you land, or scouting out a good view?

Address

Silverdale, WA

Telephone

+13607833600

Website

https://janellesnowhook.com/

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