About Queer Moto Club

Mission Statement

Queer Moto Club is a riding group dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for two-wheeled enthusiasts in Richmond, Virginia. Our mission is to promote visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in the motorcycle and scooter world, while building a strong and supportive network for riders of all skill levels and backgrounds.

We strive to create a space that is free of discrimination and harassment, where individuals can express themselves and ride freely without fear of judgment or prejudice. We believe in the power of group riding to bring people together and to create positive change in the world.

Through our rides, events, and outreach initiatives, we aim to build a strong and vibrant community of queer riders and allies who share our passion for two-wheeled adventure and our commitment to social justice.

As members of Queer Moto Club, we pledge to uphold the values of inclusivity, respect, and acceptance, and to work towards a more equitable and just world for all.

Meet The Founders

Shawnee Custalow

Hey there, I'm Shawnee, one of the co-founders of Queer Moto Club. I've been riding motorcycles since 2021 when Gus and I took a cross-country trip in our very old and unreliable campervan. At first the motorcycle was just a solution to having a vehicle that was way better on gas and could be an escape pod when our van inevitably broke down. The open road has always felt like home to me, but exploring on a motorcycle opened up an entirely new view of the world, and I’ve been hooked ever since!

I currently ride a 2022 Triumph Street Twin that I’ve spent a ton of time customizing, and average about 10k miles a year in the saddle. Twisty mountain backroads are my absolute favorite, and I will always find an excuse to go moto-camping. I’m a queer wedding & lifestyle photographer, and have been excited about being able to also work for motorcycle brands and events lately.

When we started Queer Moto Club, our vision was simple: to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ riders and enthusiasts to come together, help each other grow their skills, share stories, and build a supportive community. Being able to organize events for Queer Moto Club has been incredibly rewarding and the response we’ve seen from folks has only reaffirmed that this is still a very needed space in the moto world. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, there's a place for you here.

I'm so excited to continue growing our community and spreading the joy of motorcycles with fellow queer riders. So, come join us on the road, and together we'll create a more inclusive and vibrant moto community!

Gus Allen

Hey, I'm Gus, a freelance illustrator and one of the founders of Queer Moto Club. I started off riding on the back of the bike with Shawnee on our cross-country roadtrip but was ready to get out there on my own once we were back, and Shawnee has been (willingly) dragging me along on moto adventures ever since. I’ve always enjoyed the mechanical aspects of things, and love getting to wrench on my bike and learn how everything works. I’m also working towards gaining more off-road riding skills, and am looking forward to learning how to trail ride this summer.

I currently ride a 2019 Suzuki tu250x, and love ripping around the countryside, and through national forests. There's nothing quite like the thrill of hitting an unexpected dirt road on my bike, and then following it to wherever it may lead. But, let's be real - I also require a tasty food stop on every ride 😌

I’m responsible for all the art and design for QMC and love getting to create our event flyers, patches, and merch. It's been incredibly rewarding to combine my passion for motorcycling with my love for art, and getting to see our queer moto community thrive. When Shawnee and I first started riding, we didn’t feel like there was anywhere local that we fit in or felt comfortable when it came to the moto community. It’s amazing now to see the turnout at our events and the interest new folks are taking in learning to ride. I’m really excited about all the plans we have on the horizon for QMC and look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Jorge Vargas

I’m Jorge and I cheated my way into being a founder by lovingly forcing Shawnee and Gus to get organized and have more meetings. In my normal life I work with artificial intelligence, am a horror enthusiast, and generally have a thousand hobbies that all involve me being inside and comfortable. On the bike however, you’ll catch me misbehaving on mountain roads, seeing how few items I can bring moto-camping, or fighting extreme temperatures so I can keep riding year round.

I only started riding in 2023 on my beloved 2023 Triumph Speed Twin 900 but immediately sought out other queer leftists to ride with and was lucky enough to find out QMC had just started! I do my best to handle any technology needs, make sure everyone is comfortable and having fun at events, and take care of boring organizational stuff so things stay running as smoothly as my bike does. I love meeting new people so don’t be afraid to say hi!

A place where all are welcome to ride

Queer Moto Club officially started in May of 2023, and has been gaining momentum ever since. We’ve been so stoked with the turn out to our events and rides, and can’t wait to see where this takes us in the years to come!