Rev up those engines and get ready for an awe-inspiring display of girl power.
A sisterhood motorcycle movement that started from one woman's vision has seen the rise of a global army of riders. Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) is the planet's largest female motorcycle relay and it's now making its way through Canada as it travels around the globe.
Boasting 19,030 followers from 102 different countries, the WRWR has shown there is more to motorsport than just men with beards – women ride too and they look fabulous doing it.
Founded in the UK by Hayley Bell, WRWR was launched to display the unity, determination and passion of women riders around the globe. Being irked when going into motorcycle stores where she found product of an insufficient and stereotypical variety, Bell wanted to show the industry that "Women bikers can make this happen."
Through the relay, a global community of women bikers join forces to pass a handcrafted baton from woman-to-woman travelling from country-to-country showing that the power of the ride runs deep within women regardless of their roots, beliefs or age. The enthusiasm is heavily noted and this is what has made the relay so significant.
In her second season of riding, former Cochranite Leah Czerniak-Holmes got her bike "Sozo" 10 years ago. After suffering a hardship in life, Czerniak-Holmes would finally dust off the bike that was sitting patiently in the garage. Little did she know that her delayed interest would ultimately become a forever passion.
"It literally saved my soul. I put over 13,000 km on last season alone, mostly solo. This season I am approaching 20,000 km already," said Czerniak-Holmes. "Me and Sozo go pretty much everywhere together, rain or shine because riding in the rain is better than not riding at all."
Czerniak-Holmes explains Sozo means salvation, which is basically what riding has done for her. The open road, the wind in her face and the sound of sozo's engine have acted as a therapeutic release to help her cope with her separation.
"If the inside of my helmet could talk," says Czerniak-Holmes.
Not only has being part of WRWR ignited something within Czerniak-Holmes but it has showcased that the power of an idea can create a world-wide movement that will forever unite those involved. It is bridging the gap between men and women and acts as reminder that anything is possible if you just give it a try.
The movement has attracted women riders from countries where involvement in such things is frowned upon – India and middle east countries for example – but it has allowed women to persevere against all odds and come out on the other side with a sense of accomplishment and a smile.
The relay sees a number of guardians during the journey around the globe. These guardians take the baton throughout their country and eventually hand it off to the next guardians in the next country.
After seeing the post on Facebook two months ago, Calgary's Maren Walker was quick to register to act as a guardian. The concept behind WRWR enlightened her young self to be part of something on a greater scale.
"I love it. It's so cool to be part of this, I'm 18 too so just representing all the younger riders to the oldest one participating who I think is 81 years old, it's really special," said Walker.
Having been in numerous parts of the world since the relay's start in February, the iconic baton arrived in Vancouver from New Zealand on Sep. 13. It then overnighted in Revelstoke and on Sep.14 made its way through Banff to Calgary. The baton was then handed off at the rest stop half way up the Cochrane Hill on Highway 1A. As the next guardian, Czerniak-Holmes will take the baton from Calgary to Moose Jaw, Sask, where she will hand it off to the second of many Canadian guardians. Over the next eight days the baton will continue its trek through Canada eventually ending in Saint Stephen, N.B.
Following its Canadian tour the baton will head to Calais, Maine in the United States and it will then work its way down to South America before again crossing the ocean to Africa.
The relay draws to an end in January 2020 in the United Arab Emirates.
