Women Riders World Relay – Thailand Edition (28/7/19)
“I wanted to show the industry the force behind their fastest-growing market that is currently being overlooked. My vision was realised when nearly 20,000 women from over 100 countries worldwide, joined WRWR’s initiative in a matter of months.
In order to impact the industry and achieve the necessary exposure, I began coordinating the world’s largest motorcycle relay, consisting of women passing a baton across 80+ countries on their motorbikes”. – Haley Bell.
More info on Haley and the ride is on the official site HERE
Women Riders World Relay
About the Relay
The Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) is a global motorcycle relay organised to unite and empower women riders while showcasing their passion for motorcycling. Founded in 2018 by Hayley Bell from the UK, , who was inspired by the idea of igniting a global sisterhood of women riders and to encourage the motorcycle industry to realise that there is a growing global market for women in Motorsports. The initiative promotes inclusivity, raises awareness of women in motorcycling, and challenges stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. With participants from over 80 countries, the WRWR has become a powerful movement celebrating community, adventure, and the spirit of women riders worldwide.
The relay baton started out from John O’Groats in Scotland on February 26th 2018, and then made its way across the globe.
The Thailand Route
The Women Riders World Relay Baton arrived into Thailand via the Myawaddy Border in Myanmar. Complications on the Myanmar side meant that the expected handover was much later than planned.
When the Women Riders World Relay Baton reached Myanmar, Wasa – the Thailand guardian, collected it. Wasa is an experienced rider who particpated in the GS Trophy Trials, and runs RIDE HORIZON. She was given the task of riding to the Mae Sot Border on the 28th July 2018 to collect the Baton from the Myanmar team, and then deliver it to Laos rider K.Nilamon, who would ride with it down to Cambodia.
The Biker Chicks Thailand
Additionally, the BIKER CHICKS THAILAND group would support Wasa by riding in from various provinces to a meeting point in Phrae region, then ride with Wasa to the overnight rest point of Nan City , (and then onto the Laos border at Huai Kon the following day).
The Biker Chicks Thailand is a vibrant community of female motorcycle enthusiasts based in Thailand. It provides a supportive platform for women riders to connect, share their passion for biking, and inspire each other. The group promotes safe riding, organizes meet-ups and rides, and fosters empowerment and camaraderie among its members. Biker Chicks Thailand celebrates women breaking barriers in motorcycling while building a strong and inclusive network of riders.
Support Group Initial Meet
The Biker Chick Thailand group met up at a meeting point close to Chiang Mai and then rode on together to Paan Khaw Niew in Lampang city, to await information from Wasa about the baton border pick up.
Myself and two friends rode in from Chiang Mai in our own small group, stopping in at the White Bridge in Lampang, before meeting up with the ladies in Lampang city. (Trip report for that ride is here).
During this time Wasa was riding to the border to collect the Baton whilst we all waited in restaurant to recieve news from Wasa. This gave us time to chat and check out each others bikes.
Women Riders United
Once Wasa had arrived at the border point, she informed us, so we geared up and began our ride to the meeting point of Ekanitcha Restaurant in Phrae province. Riding with so many women riders was fantastic. I had never before ridden with a large group of women riders, so it was a great experience.
The Clock is Ticking!
At Ekanitcha Restaurant we knew we had a long wait ahead of us. The Myanmar team had some unexpected hiccups en-route, including guardian Anne Cruickshanks’ bike breaking down. At the Thai/Myanmar border the riders also faced red tape issues before the baton was allowed to cross into the hands of Wasa and her support team.
Whilst we waited it was a good opportunity to take some fun photos, nap, generally mess about and also have another look at the fantastic motorbike collection:
Finally, around 3pm we received news that the Baton had crossed the border and had been collected by Wasa, who then high tailed it to the 260 km meeting point in Phrae.
Triumphant!
At 7pm Wasa pulled into the meeting point and was met with an excited team of riders.
We signed the Women Riders World Relay baton and celebrated the moment.
Pitch Black Riding
Wasa enjoyed some much needed refreshments afterwhich the sun had already set. This meant that the final 166 km to Nan, would be in the pitch black.
My friend Opal and I would not be riding on to Nan with the team due to commitments in Chiang Mai, so we waved the team off and rode 50 km in the dark back to Lampang for an overnight rest. (You can read about our trip which includes a fabulous mountain temple, here)
My friend Sammy Jay continued on with the Women Riders World Relay Thailand team to the overnight destination of Nan.
The Handover to Laos
In the morning the Thailand Team rode to Huai Kon border point, to hand over the Women Riders World Relay baton to Laos rider Nilamon.
K.Nilamon, who runs Luang Prabang Motorcycle Club, ended up riding over 1000 km in two days on bad condition roads in torrential rain, to hand over the baton to Bekka Shadoan, the Women Riders World Relay guardian for Cambodia.
An absolutely amazing global effort.
For more information on the Women Riders World Relay, go to the WRWR Website.
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Gosh I love that this rally exists!! Great write up Zed 😁
Gosh I love that this rally exists!! Great write up Zed 😁
Thank you for an interesting story.
Really glad if you enjoyed it! My best 🙂
Thank you for an interesting story.
Really glad if you enjoyed it! My best 🙂