Local female riders to take on trip to Hoedspruit
A group of female motorcycle riders are encouraging other women to join their ride on International Female Ride Day.
POLOKWANE – With a total of 380km to cover, a group of female motorbike riders from Polokwane will celebrate International Female Ride Day (IFRD) by taking a trip to Hoedspruit.
On May 6, female motorbike riders across the world will celebrate the day under the IFRD’s motto, ‘Just Ride!’
Organiser Mariaan Coetzee said the group will ride from RAD Motorcycles in Schoeman Street to the Three Bridges Craft Market in Hoedspruit and it will mark the second year that they participate.
Mariaan is encouraging other female to join them and adds that 2023 is the 17th year of the annual ride.
The IFRD also raises awareness about women’s equity in motorsports and their riders are encouraged to be role models for other women both young and old.
She explained that she read about the movement on the internet in 2016 and hosted an event but due to personal circumstance, her hobby had to take a backseat the following year.
“I am back on my feet now and when I saw the international event is taking place again, I got a hold of some other riders I know and we started to ride together. Another reason I chose to do this event is because RAD Motorcycles offers a course to teach women to ride. I saw their advertisement as well as the IFRD advertisement and used the timing to get everyone involved.”
She says not everyone started at the same time and that the group completes at least two ladies trips a year with up to 3 000km covered over a weekend.
“We also do one long distance trip a year. Some people leave, others join, but since 2016 we ride on a regular basis.”
Mariaan said the ride to Hoedspruit is not a charity event but a way to raise awareness for women in motorsport.
She says the group will meet at RAD Motorcyles from 08:00 before departing at 09:30.
For more information, call Mariaan on 084 620 2550.
