In the Fast Lane: Kenya's trailblazing female biker
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What usually comes to mind when you think superbikes? Perhaps a whole lot of riders kitted out? Plenty of leather, tire smoke, and speed? An all male-group? You'd be right for the most part. But Emelda Ndinda from Kenya tells you where you'd be wrong.
"I enjoy riding because the moment I get on the motorcycle and the wind just blows my face, it's a very amazing feeling, it's a calm feeling."
EMELDA NDINDA BIKER "My name is Emelda Ndinda and I am a lady biker. I started riding actively in 2013 but I learnt how to ride in 2012. Our motorcycle club is called road warriors motor cycle club, so we had a race last month where I was a female race in category, the only female racer in my category and I won. When I am not riding motor bikes, I am saving lives. I am a paramedic by profession, I work with the Kenya Red Cross. The first race that I participated in was quite amazing, I got to the track then I find a group of men, we don't have many ladies as racers. So I find a group of men and one of them says 'we have a lady in this group' and I say yes do we have a problem? Then he says ok this is no longer a race, we are just going to ride slowly. So he underestimated me. At the end of the race I came number 3, I beat him so he was surprised and I was like girl power. We can do this."
EMELDA NDINDA BIKER "I think that the only major challenge is the fact that there are not many women in the sport. So it becomes a challenge in that you always have to try and keep up with the men, they are fast riders, and they are aggressive riders. You have to be fast and aggressive as well. I really want women to join this sport because it has a lot of potential, once the women get in, like I said we can change the game. Because they are used to seeing men racing, how about we now see women racing. I would like to see a team only females racing, it would be lovely. I enjoy riding because of the feeling I get on the bike. It's a heavenly feeling that I cannot put into words. It's a serene feeling. I always look forward to the next ride either alone or with a group, I always look forward to the next ride, I'm not scared, some risks are worth taking."