8 women riders explore 1,800 km of Telangana on bikes, smash gender, age stereotypes

Hyderabad: Eight women from various corners of the globe embarked on a nine-day motorcycle journey through the heart of Telangana. Clad in their distinctive gear, these riders, united by their passion for motorcycling, rode to shatter gender and age barriers while exploring the vibrant culture of Telangana and supporting local communities.

The motorcycle tour was organized by Free W, an international women’s motorcycling community, in collaboration with local support from Jai Bharati’s MOWO.

These intrepid women covered approximately 1,800 km while traversing through Mahabubnagar, Vikarabad, Nirmal, Warangal, and Pochampally towns.

What makes this motorcycle tour truly exceptional is its diverse ensemble of riders hailing from the USA, Europe, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand, alongside three local women motorcyclists. As they journeyed through rural Telangana, their presence invoked warm smiles and curiosity among the locals.

Engaging with Telangana culture

One of the highlights of this incredible journey was the riders’ engagement with Telangana’s rich culture. They immersed themselves in the local art forms: witnessing intricate saree weaving to exploring the fascinating Dokra metal craft.

Juvena Huang from Singapore, moved by the skill of saree weavers, expressed her admiration for their craftsmanship. Their travels also included distributing sanitary napkins to underprivileged girls and visiting the Telangana government’s women’s skill development centres.

“The idea was to bring women motorcyclists from all over the world, not just to experience this region’s rich culture, but to support other women and empower them through our journey,” said Alison Grun, the founder of Free W about the tour’s mission.

By riding together, these women not only enjoyed the adventure but also created a tangible impact in the communities they visited.

The motorcyclists, while reinforcing the need for gender empowerment defied stereotypes about age. Most of the riders were over 40 years old, demonstrating that age should never limit one’s pursuit of passion and adventure. They said their journey wishes to reaffirm the importance of access to mobility for women.

Stacy, one of the riders, described how they received curious looks from women on the roadside, and she made a point to wave at each of them as a gesture of solidarity. The stories shared by the local women left an indelible mark on the riders, further motivating them to continue their mission of empowerment.