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I'm not about to stop mid-ride for 50 selfies.
Riding is about the experience, not the aesthetic.”
were recently in the Cederberg when finding gear that fits is a nightmare. Sunette: “Yes, I ride my own bike.
a farmer asked if the 'ladies' could I'm not a small person, and most of People constantly assume I'm just
keep up. That kind of mindset is still the gear is just men's designs scaled riding with my husband. It gets old.”
out there. But I just ride and ignore down. It's not flattering, and it's Ashleigh: “We're more supportive,
the noise.” frustrating.”
less competitive. We ride at our own
Lauren: “There's definitely pressure Zoë: “I used to wear an open-face pace, and we make sure no one gets
to ride well, because I feel like I have helmet and an old waxed jacket. left behind.”
to prove myself. I'm often the only Then my gran intervened! Now it's Mercia: “You can wear lipstick and
woman on group rides, and in the full-face, goggles, boots and an still ride like a pro.”
back of my mind I'm always armoured jacket from Aether. Safety
thinking, 'don't mess this up.' But the matters, but in the South African
guys I ride with are super heat, gearing up can be intense.” What advice would you give
encouraging.” women who are curious about
riding?
Teresa: “I've always had more male Does social media paint an
friends than female, so it's not accurate picture of female riders? Zoë: “Don't be intimidated. Find a
intimidating. I remember crashing a Lauren: “Absolutely not. Instagram local garage or riding group and ask
boys-only breakfast ride once. is full of women in bikini tops and for help. In Cape Town, WMC and
Initially, there were a few skeptical denim shorts on bikes, but that's not The MotoSocial are great places to
looks, but by the end they saw I was real life. Sure, I post cool pics—I'm start.”
there for the same reason as proud to ride—but I'm not about to Lauren: “Begin as a pillion. That
them—the love of bikes.” experience gave me confidence and
stop mid-ride for 50 selfies. Riding
Sunette: “I actually think I ride is about the experience, not the insight. Then, get a bike that suits
better than most of the guys I ride aesthetic.” your body and skill level. And most
with. I'm a H.O.G. marshal and the Sanela: “Social media warps importantly, practice.”
respect I get from the group speaks everything. There will always be Sanela: “Just go for it. You won't
volumes. Most of them don't even women seeking attention, but there regret it—I promise.”
want to marshal themselves!”
are also many genuinely passionate Sunette: “It'll be one of the best
Mercia: “You can't come into a riders out there. You have to know things you ever do for yourself.”
traditionally male space expecting the difference.” Ashleigh: “There's nothing like
to be treated like a princess. I've Mercia: “It's a bit of both. Instagram being in control of your own bike. It
always just slotted in and done my has helped shift perceptions and builds confidence like nothing else.
thing. I was the first woman to ride showcase real women riders, but The more time in the saddle, the
the Sabie Bubble Run, and now let's be honest—helmet hair and bug better.”
more women take part every year. splatters aren't glamorous. Still, we
You earn respect by showing up and As these incredible women prove,
ride with huge smiles.”
the motorcycling world is no longer
riding well.”
Ashleigh: “Most social media only just a boys' club. It's a place of
What's your approach to riding shows the highlight reel. But there freedom, camaraderie, and
gear? are rainy rides, soaking gear, and bad empowerment—and it's growing
Sanela: “I'm all for ATGATT—All hair days. Riding isn't always more inclusive every day. Whether
The Gear, All The Time. It can save pretty—but it's always worth it.” you're on a dirt loop through the
your life. That said, women's gear Cederberg, dodging traffic on your
options in South Africa are limited. What do you wish people morning commute, or riding into the
We want gear that fits properly and understood about women who sunset with friends, the message is
looks good—we're not interested in ride? the same: women belong on
chunky leathers from the 1980s.” motorcycles. And they're not
Teresa: “We don't ride for attention.
Lauren: “I wear a Shoei helmet or We do it because we've discovered slowing down anytime soon.
sometimes a Shark, a good jacket, something powerful and liberating. I
and Vans high tops. I don't fully gear also think women tend to be more
up often because I feel like a careful—we think about where
marshmallow when I do—it just we're going to park and plan ahead.”
doesn't work for me.”
Sanela: “We're not trying to make a
Teresa: “Helmet, jacket, gloves, and statement. We ride because we love
solid leather boots—always. But
it.”
Lady Rider Magazine 9 June 2025
