www.womanthismonth.com December 2020 7 PEOPLE | interview we were three ladies in a group of twenty men. One of the things you realise as lady riders is you inadvertently look out for each other, whether it’s a trip to the women’s or overcoming a challenge. I remember, on this trip we had to cross a part which was a steep hill with soft sand. Seasoned riders were falling down like matchsticks and the three of us kept telling each other, “We can do it!” and we aced it the first time without any mishaps. When we got to the top, we jumped off the bike and hugged each other. It was an amazing feeling when a journalist walked up to us and said: “So many experienced bikers fell off their bikes, but you girls rocked it!” It also taught us that one’s ability is greater than the model and make of the bike or in this case – gender. What are some of the challenges you might’ve faced when first riding in Bahrain? Anna D (Greece, Germany):` First of all, we have to consider that every day is always our first day of riding. We never know what kind of challenges you will face during your ride whether day or night. For me personally, I was very scared. Thank God I had a riding-mentor supporting me. To overcome my fears I was riding every day. As a result, I sold my car and started using my bike as daily transportation in order to improve my riding skills. Anna, you’ve ridden over 100,000 kms since 2017 in Bahrain alone. Could you highlight some of the safety measures you take when riding together? What could improve the riding conditions for bikers in Bahrain? Anna Diamantidou: Make sure your bike is fit: technical wise, tire-pressure etc. Safety gear is very important so wear the right shoes, safety jacket, gloves, etc. When groupriding, respect and protect each other and follow certain road signs and protocols that both: protect the riders and inform the other vehicles of the changes the riders will be making. If you are new in the group, inform the road captain and ride with seasoned riders. There is always a team that rides with the group, the sweepers who block the traffic for the riders and the marshals, usually for larger groups to keep the group together and liaise between the captain and sweeper. In addition, it’s important to have regular cone training, ride as often as possible and respect the drivers. Communication, not aggression by drivers and riders on the road, is vital. How often does the community of female bikers in Bahrain ride together? Can you tell us about some of the activities you participate in together? Aqeela Naser (Bahrain): We ride twice a week when the weather is good - Tuesday night and Saturday morning. On Saturday mornings we usually get together for breakfast, coffee and a catch up after our ride. This year, we celebrated Bahraini Women’s Day which included breakfast and a photoshoot. In the past, our lady riders have supported Ride in Pink in support of breast cancer awareness, aside from charity drive rides including visits to old age homes, special needs societies etc. Has the coronavirus outbreak affected your ability to get together? Nadine Fawaz (Lebanon): Yes, as a lot of them of are a bit afraid to get out. Take me for example, I have not gone for a group ride since the pandemic started in order to protect my family and loved ones. Even though biking gear is quite safe since we need to wear masks, gloves and a helmet as a norm and maintain distance between bikes when riding, a lot of them prefer solo rides.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==