Cycling clubs ride to recognise International Women’s Day

IN recognition of the 110th anniversary of International Women’s Day, several local cycling clubs have been taking part in the TT Cycling Federation’s (TTCF) Together We Ride event, which climaxes on Monday.

On the recent appointment of the federation’s only female president Rowena Williams, for a third time, and a nationwide increase in gender-based-violence awareness drives, the TTCF called on its members to do a bike ride in honour of the auspicious day, dubbed a ride for equality, inclusion and change for women and girls throughout the nation.

Several domestic clubs took to the streets and virtual platforms, since Friday, to ride in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

Cyclists were required to pick any day between Saturday and Monday to cover any distance, over any terrain to celebrate the achievements, persistence and future of women around the world.

Riders were urged to take photos along their journey and share them on social media with the handles #iwdbike and @iwdbike or post them to Facebook public group International Women’s Day Together We Ride Bike Ride.

Clubs such as Madonna Wheelers, Rigtech Sonics and Arima Wheelers among others accepted the challenge and paid tribute to women with their respective rides.

On Sunday, Madonna Wheelers’ coach and club secretary Kirt Cunningham joined up with approximately ten young members to pedal from Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar to Benji’s Bakery in Guaico.

Along the way, the group took several pictures of themselves in action and uploaded them to social media in celebration of women and girls.

“It’s part of our normal weekend training ride. We have three young women who ride with the club; two juniors, Makayla Hernandez and Phoebe Sandy and one tiny mite Renelle Bernard.

“The men of the club, some are fathers and so forth, were happy to join in and support. We wanted to do something highlighting gender-based violence and desensitising of women.

“We used this initiative as an opportunity to bring these issues to the forefront because they are relevant now more than ever,” said Cunningham.

Similarly, southern-based club Rigtech Sonics also had an off-road session at Plaisance Park in Claxton Bay in recognition of the March 8 celebration.

With Skinner Park in San Fernando still under renovation and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy entry road a bit unsafe for cyclists owing to road traffic, the blue club opted to take it to the trails.

Club manager Roger Frontin and a handful of parents led a team of ten cyclists in recognition of International Women’s Day.

“We’re really serious about the future of women, especially in cycling. We have been trying to focus on increasing women participation since when Teniel Campbell was one of our riders. Equality and gender-based violence is serious business for us at Rigtech Sonics,” Frontin said.

He acknowledged Sheldon Weekes of Trail Logic, who officiated the exercise and helped the youngsters go through some fundamentals for off-road riding.

TTCF president Williams was also grateful for the clubs’ participation and welcomed others to join in on the final day on Monday.