Lisa Brain - The woman who made history bringing women to the forefront.

We have all heard of the Isle of Man TT race, if you have not, it is a famously dangerous motorcycle race held annually on the Isle of Man. Instead of a closed track, racers tackle a public road, reaching speeds exceeding 200 mph.

Well this year if you look up at the front, just behind the police and marshals, you'll see a powerhouse line up of women, In fact it will be the first time in history that women will lead that lap. 

"I'm going to be surrounded by all these really talented, inspirational, courageous women who have pushed boundaries," says Lisa, the Isle of Man Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) Ambassador. "We've got Guinness World Record holders and  TT racers like Maria Costello and Carolynn Sells...."

For Lisa, this moment is the culmination of a whirlwind journey that started as a modest idea to showcase local female riders and snowballed into a historic, internationally recognized event. But to understand how she landed at the front of one of the most famous road racing courses in the world, well start at the beginning.

Lisa is proudly Manx, (I would learn in our interview that a Manx is what they call the natives on the Isle of Man) a place where motorsport isn't just a hobby; it’s a way of life. In the 1970s, her father was a short-circuit racer, her mother has been riding since 16, and Lisa’s kids were trials riders themselves at one point, school and rugby would eventually steal their attention though. 

Lisa was given her first motorcycle at just five years old, spending her youth riding off-road for fun. However, life eventually took over. She became a mother to four boys, spent time living in Australia, and has since returned home to her beloved island.

For years, road riding wasn't on the radar. Then, in 2011, a friend threw down a challenge: Go get your road license. Two months later, she had it. That was the spark that ignited a passion for motorcycle touring.

For the past 15 years, Lisa has balanced her love for two wheels with the monumental task of raising her four sons as a single mother. Today, her eldest is thriving at university, one is working as a plasterer, another is wrapping up his school exams, and her youngest is 12. She spoke about holding back from racing to manage the risks for her family's sake, but her adventurous spirit shines through in everything we discussed. 

These days, Lisa explores the world on a Benelli TRK 502,  a nimble adventure bike that has taken her from the stunning, Caribbean-like white sands of the Scottish Highlands on the North Coast 500 all the way down to Land’s End on the Southwest 660.

But for the Legacy Lap? Her trusty Benelli is staying parked.

Instead, Lisa and the leading group of women have been granted the incredible honor of riding motorcycles from the Norton Historic Collection. It's a thrilling but nerve-wracking prospect. These vintage machines feature a right-foot gear shift with a one-up, three-down pattern AKA the whole bike is backwards. 

"I have never ridden a bike with that before, so I am nervous," Lisa admits. "Not only have I got these amazing, brilliant women next to me, but I've got thousands of people behind me following. That is pressure!"

Riders are descending on the tiny 30-mile-long island from all corners of the globe, including the US and Australia. Even Lisa’s mother bought a Honda Rebel 350 just to ride in the convoy behind her daughter. 

As the reality of the event sets in, Lisa admits to feeling completely bewildered and profoundly humbled by the caliber of riders traveling across the universe to her small home island. To line up alongside global trailblazers like Hayley Bell, the visionary founder of WRWR, and Liza Miller, feels entirely surreal. For Lisa, these are the icons who proved that women can handle the exact same cross-continental grit, miles, and mechanics as any man on a motorcycle.

Knowing that riders like Amanda Knapp are flying halfway across the world just to be a part of this moment adds to the gravity of the event. Lisa will also be sharing the front line alongside Hayley, Liza, Gail Sheely, Carolynn Sells, Gloria Perrin, and current TT competitor Maria Costello. To go from watching these women on social media and television to sharing a front row with them is massive.

More than anything, Lisa is determined to slow time down and truly soak up every piece of the experience. She recognizes that this isn't just a parade; it is a profound momentum shift for the entire female motorcycling world, a sudden serendipity where everything is moving upward together. Though she jokes that she'll be a nervous wreck before the marshals drop the green flag, her ultimate goal is to showcase what is possible when you simply dare to put yourself out there. She wants to show her four boys, and the next generation of young girls watching from the hedges, that you shouldn't let anything hold you back.

Take aways…

• For new riders: Don't let the size of your bike or a late start in life hold you back. Lisa didn't get her road license until she was a mother, and she happily dropped down from a BMW 1200GS to a 500cc bike because it's what makes her happy. Ride your own ride.

• For experienced riders: Never lose your sense of wonder or your willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Riding a vintage Norton with a reversed gear shift pattern in front of thousands of people takes immense courage, proving that growth as a rider never stops.

• For all of us: Incredible things happen when you simply dare to ask. Lisa started with a small coffee shop conversation, reached out to government officials, and ended up making history. If you put yourself out there, you are capable of shifting momentum for everyone around you.

I asked Lisa what she’s up to next, and she told me about her work with GlobalARRK, Global Action on Relocation and Return with Kids. GlobalARRK is a vital charity supporting “stuck parents”, many of whom are mothers and survivors of domestic abuse, who find themselves trapped overseas because of complex international custody disputes and legal barriers.

The charity provides crucial legal, emotional and practical support to help families find a safe way forward, and, where possible, a way home.

Lisa is also continuing to use her love of motorcycles and the biking community to connect people, challenge perceptions and create change, proving that sometimes the road ahead really can lead somewhere powerful.

Please join us in supporting GlobalARRK’s important work - https://www.globalarrk.org/