From finding healing through motorcycling to bringing riders together for breast cancer awareness, Mar Orts is turning her personal story into a mission through the Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge.
For Mar Orts, riding has always been about more than the destination. It has been a way to find direction, build connections, and turn difficult experiences into something meaningful. Today, after 13 years on two wheels, she is using that passion to support causes close to her heart and bring people together through the motorcycle community.
Her story begins long before the charity rides and the miles she logs today. When Mar was just 11 years old, she lost her mother to breast cancer. The loss left a lasting mark on her family, and the journey toward finding her own direction would take time.
“Losing my mom to breast cancer pulled my family into a dark place that we didn’t know how to navigate. We didn’t have the tools to understand our grief or begin healing. For me, joining the military became an escape from an unhealthy environment and a chance to find a new direction.
“While I was serving, I started riding motorcycles, and riding became a form of therapy. Over the last 13 years, that escape has grown into community and purpose. I began volunteering and getting involved with veteran nonprofits through the motorcycle community, using something I love to help others.”
A Mother's Memory Behind Every Mile
To understand why Breast Cancer Awareness Month means so much to Mar, it helps to understand the person she is riding to honor. Her memories of her mother aren't defined by grand gestures, but by the everyday moments that made home feel like home.
“My mom was a ray of sunshine. Coming home from school meant walking into a clean house that smelled like Fabuloso, hearing her singing or laughing on the phone, and finding her in the kitchen cooking amazing Mexican food. Those everyday moments made our home feel warm and full of life.
“She was caring, kind, and surrounded by friends. She was also the loud one in the group the one whose laugh you could hear a mile away. Losing that light in our home was deeply traumatic for all of us.
“I was only 11, so I wish we’d had more time for our bond to grow as I grew up and found myself. But I knew her love through everything she did. We never went hungry, our homework got done, and she always kept us on track. She was a woman who took care of business, and she showed her love through action. Her warmth, laughter, and care are what I carry with me.”
That memory continues to shape the way Mar approaches life today. Through motorcycling, volunteering, and supporting charitable causes, she has found ways to turn a deeply personal loss into a reason to show up for others.
It's also what makes her participation in the Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge so meaningful.
The Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge: Riding for Breast Cancer Awareness
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings people together to support those affected by the disease and help fund research. This year, Cardo is bringing that spirit to the road through the Rosewood PACKTALK EDGE, a limited-edition release created for the cause, and the Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge.
The challenge invites riders to log 150 miles (240 km) throughout October, turning the miles they already love riding into an opportunity to raise awareness and show support. For Mar, the distance carries a deeply personal meaning.
“Now, I also want to do more for breast cancer awareness and fundraising. That mission is deeply personal. Taking on Cardo’s Rosewood Challenge and riding 150 miles (or 240 km) is a way to honor my mom while supporting those who are still fighting. Every mile carries her memory with me.”
The challenge is also a reminder that meaningful change doesn't always start with a grand gesture. Sometimes, it starts with doing something you already love and inviting others to join you.
“Supporting this challenge hits home for me. It gives me a way to honor my mom while contributing to breast cancer research and showing support for people and families facing this disease.
“Breast cancer is devastating, and its impact reaches the entire family. Being able to bring riders together around this cause makes something we already love doing feel even more meaningful. We’re already riding our motorcycles why not log those miles for a purpose?
“To me, those collective miles represent a community showing up for something bigger than ourselves. It’s a meaningful way to carry my mom’s memory forward and stand alongside those who are still fighting.”
The Rosewood Challenge supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), connecting individual rides to a wider effort to support breast cancer research. And for Mar, the opportunity to bring people together around that shared purpose is just as important as the miles themselves.
Finding Freedom on Two Wheels
Mar's journey into motorcycling began with a moment of inspiration. She didn't grow up around motorcycles, but seeing another woman riding changed what she thought was possible.
“I didn’t grow up around motorcycles, so riding wasn’t even on my radar. One day on base, I saw a woman ride by on a colorful sport bike, I remember it being pink, and something clicked “Women can ride motorcycles?” Seeing her lit a fire in me. I’ve always loved challenging myself, and riding felt like an opportunity to learn something new and become part of something bigger.
“I started on sport bikes and rode them for about six years. I absolutely loved them, but when I got on a Harley and became involved in the cruiser community, it felt more like me. I’m an adventurer. I love exploring, taking in my surroundings, and seeing what’s beyond the places I already know.”
Over time, her riding evolved from a personal escape into a way to explore new places and connect with people. The motorcycle became a way to experience the world differently, opening the door to longer journeys and new communities.
“My sportbike rides were mostly local, but my Harley opened up a whole new world of travel, including rides to Sturgis and Daytona. The comfort, the community, and the freedom to enjoy those long journeys really resonated with me. I still love sport bikes and want to ride them again, but my Harley fits the way I love to explore.”
The Power of Community: Women Supporting Women Riders
That sense of connection has become a defining part of Mar's experience on two wheels. Through women's motorcycle communities, she has found people who encourage one another, organize rides, and use their shared passion to make a difference.
“I’m grateful to be part of multiple women’s motorcycle communities. Building that sisterhood and having women who support one another means so much to me.
“I’m surrounded by strong women who lead rides, organize fundraisers, and create communities of their own. Seeing what we can accomplish when we come together is incredible. We encourage each other to try new things, travel farther, and give back.
“That support is especially important for new riders. Having positive examples around them helps them see what’s possible and feel that they belong. I love being part of communities where women use their passion to help others, and I’m grateful to contribute however I can.”
This October, Mar is bringing that spirit of community into an all-women's ride in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Alongside a small group of friends, she is planning a trip to Lake Roosevelt, combining time on the road with a shared purpose.
“This October, a small group of girlfriends and I are riding to Lake Roosevelt and putting miles together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
“The idea is simple: bring women together, enjoy the ride, and support a cause that matters. I want it to be a day filled with connection, beautiful surroundings, and the shared feeling that something we love can also help make a difference.”
It's a fitting example of what the Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge is all about: taking the rides, friendships, and experiences that make motorcycling special and giving them a purpose beyond the road.
The Journeys That Stay With You
For Mar, some of the most memorable rides are the ones shared with others. The destinations matter, but so do the people, the conversations, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself.
One standout trip took her through Beartooth Pass with The Moto Girls, a group of women dedicated to building and supporting motorcycle communities across different states.
“I rode Beartooth Pass with The Moto Girls, a group of strong women who build and support motorcycle communities in different states.
“There were about eight to ten of us, and we covered nearly 2,000 miles together over the trip. What made it unforgettable was the energy of the group. Everyone was grateful to be there, supportive, and excited for the adventure.
“Riding those twisties together, moving in sync, and taking in the beautiful views at Beartooth Pass was an incredible experience. The scenery was breathtaking, but sharing it with those women made it even more special.”
Another unforgettable journey took her through Zion National Park in Utah, on a weekend getaway with a friend.
“A friend and I planned a weekend getaway to Utah, rode through Zion National Park, and stayed at Outpost X.
“It was a weekend full of laughter, beautiful scenery, and time to step away from everyday life. Riding through Zion and taking in those incredible surroundings made it unforgettable. Sometimes a simple trip with a good friend is exactly the reset you need.”
These experiences reflect what riding has come to mean for Mar: the freedom to explore, the chance to build lasting friendships, and the opportunity to find moments of joy along the way.
Finding Hope, One Mile at a Time
Mar knows that grief doesn't follow a straight path, and that supporting someone through breast cancer or the loss of a loved one can be difficult to navigate. Her own experience has taught her the importance of showing up for others while allowing space for the hard days.
“If you’re supporting someone through breast cancer, show up with love, encouragement, and whatever brightness you can bring to their day. I believe hope and a supportive environment matter, while also making room for fear, sadness, and the hard days. You don’t have to feel positive every moment to deserve support.
“If you’re walking through loss, know that it’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to take time, rest, and give yourself room to process your emotions. There isn’t a deadline for healing.
“Losing someone you love stays with you, but that doesn’t mean life can’t hold beautiful moments again. Little by little, you can find things that bring you joy, connection, and peace. The love remains, and over time, the loss can feel a little less heavy.”
Her words are a reminder that support can take many forms. It can be a conversation, a fundraiser, a group ride, or simply being there when someone needs you. Through the Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge, riders have another way to turn that support into action.
Join the Cardo Ride Rosewood Challenge
Mar's story is a reminder that every ride can carry its own meaning. For her, logging 150 miles is a way to honor her mother, support breast cancer research, and stand alongside families facing a disease that affects so many lives.
Through Cardo Ride, you can turn your own miles into something meaningful. Download the app, join the Rosewood Challenge, and ride with purpose this October.
To follow Mar's riding adventures and personal journey, find her on Instagram at @mar_theripper.
For veteran rides, charity rides, and community fundraising events, follow @the_rallypoint_initiative, where Mar shares opportunities to come together and support the community, with a primary focus on veterans.
