Rebelle Rally is an eight-day adventure that tests the strength and endurance it’s female competitors.

This journey isn’t your usual road trip; it’s an off-road challenge stretching across 1,600 miles of desert from Northern to Southern California.

The rally throws technology out the window, forcing participants to navigate through hidden checkpoints using only a topographic map, compass, and plotter.

There are no phones and no GPS.

Each day can consist of up to ten hours of driving, making for a truly immersive navigation competition. The backdrop of this unique rally? An ever-changing landscape of sands and cacti, and an opportunity to tap into your inner rebel.

The Rebelle Rally Training Vlog Series

A multi-video vlog, you can adventure along with me and learn what it was like training for the Rebelle Rally in the video series found in this playlist.

Read on to learn more!

Rebelle Rally Training Started with a Scorpion

The first day of the Rebelle Rally training proved to be quite an adventure, beginning with an unexpected encounter with a scorpion.

As we gathered at the meeting point in Ocotillo Wells, another participant pointed out what she initially assumed was a logo on my jacket.

The reality, however, was far more alarming: It was a scorpion!

Despite my surprise and fear, I tried to maintain my composure. With a couple of failed attempts to push it off, the scorpion held on. After a few more tries, I finally managed to flick it off, watching as it scurried away into the desert.

What could have been a disastrous start turned out to be a memorable story and a useful ice-breaker. It reminded us of the unpredictable nature of the desert environment we were about to navigate during the training.

From then on, we all made sure to check our jackets and equipment thoroughly, ensuring we were free of any other unwanted desert dwellers.

We Kicked Off Training with Off-road Driving Lessons

The primary focus of the training day was learning the art of off-road driving. This started with getting acquainted with our vehicles and understanding the dynamics of off-road driving.

The wheels, the position of the driver, and the car’s reaction to different terrains were all part of the learning process. The aim was to get us comfortable with the vehicles and ready for the challenging drive ahead.

See what day 1 Rebelle Rally training was like in the full video below!

One of the most memorable exercises involved driving up a sand dune and practicing how to get over it. We also explored what happens when brakes lock out or when the anti-braking system kicks in.

It was an intense experience, filled with numerous first-time experiences for many of us, including me. However, overcoming the fear and successfully navigating the vehicle through the desert instilled a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

By the end of the day, we had not only gained a deeper understanding of off-road driving but also built a solid foundation for the rest of our training days.

Navigating Sand Dunes during Rebelle Rally Training

Sand dunes present a distinct set of challenges that require a thorough understanding of their formation and an effective strategy to navigate them.

On the second day of the Rebelle Rally training in Glamis, we focused on learning how to ascend, descend, and manage potential situations of being stuck on the dunes.

We also learned how to adjust our vehicles to better handle the sandy terrain, notably by significantly deflating the tires to improve control.

Experience of First-Time Sand Dune Driving

Driving a regular vehicle on sand dunes is a unique experience, markedly different from standard driving scenarios.

This involves the use of different types of off-road vehicles like dirt bikes, quads, and dune buggies.

One notable aspect of the experience was the sensation of the tires, deflated for increased surface area, interacting with the sandy terrain.

Progressing from the smaller dunes to the larger ones provided a real-world test of driving skills and reinforced the importance of proper vehicle handling in challenging conditions.

Want to see what day 2 Rebelle Rally training was like? See more in the full video below!

Learnings from Rebelle Rally BEYOND the Obvious…

The number of times I wanted to quit Rebelle Rally training was… well, a lot.

In this episode of Everyday Badassery podcast I share the REAL behind the scenes of some the challenges I had and how I overcame them.

Key time stamps

0:00 My adventure started with a scorpion

0:32 Intro

2:15 What is Rebelle Rally

3:47 How training started with a scorpion

8:00 Learning to drive in the sand dunes

18:27 Learning to navigate without GPS

21:24 Feeling nothing but doubt

27:24 What driving and navigating is like

29:05 Oh crap moments

36:41 I had every excuse to quit

Or watch the full video below!

What’s Next?

Hmmm.. it seems like there should be a third video. And what about the race?

It’s not happening.

What?! What do you mean it’s not happening!?

Don’t get me wrong: Rebelle Rally is happening and you should absolutely watch the social media posts and updates that come up during race time.

But it’s not happening for me. My race partner decided this isn’t the year she’s going to participate (which therefore meant WE are not going to participate).

This race is designed to push you mentally and physically. I was prepared to put in over 100 hours of navigation training to be ready for the real thing. NOT being ready meant that we could potentially be in physical danger given the conditions we are competing in.

While I’m not stoked we’re not competing, I’m thankful she made the choice that’s right for her because well… I’d rather she tell me now than when we’re in the middle of the desert (with scorpions) that she’s not up to the task.

Rebelle Rally: a future year. But for now, this training goes down in the books as it’s OWN adventure 🤘🏽