International Female Ride Day© (IFRD) celebrates women motorcycle riders and is not country, group or organizationally specific. It is a globally synchronized “JUST RIDE!”© day, for women.
Conceptualized by internationally recognised motorcycling instructor, road racer, Vicki Gray, the day has occurred for well over a decade and a half, with the first IFRD gatherings in 2007.
“IFRD provides a platform for women motorcycle riders to bond with other women, to meet and find like-minded women who ride and develop friendships with which to enjoy and advance motorcycling!”
– Vicki Gray, Founder, International female ride day
As one of the most important ride days for women, International Female Ride Day (IFRD) aims to encourage women to take up motorcycling. It also raises awareness about women’s equality in motorsports while applauding women’s advancements in motor and powersports.
In South Africa, IFRD is spearheaded by Estelle Lotter, Founder of The Litas Johannesburg & Gauteng. The Litas is a group of passionate kick-ass women focused on building local communities of women who share a love for two wheels. With starting points in various parts of Gauteng, the 2021 IFRD will include both on and off-road routes, thereby catering for riders with different types of motorcycles.
I am looking forward to experiencing all that the F 900 XR has to offer and of course, to reconnecting with lady bikers I haven’t seen in a long time
CRESCENTIA NDIMANDE, 15 YEARS motorcycle RIDING EXPERIENCE
My heart is most at home when I ride off road on a GS so riding a cafe racer is going to be a different experience for me because for once, I won’t get dusty!
BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS, 10 years riding experience
3 bikers from Driving in Heels will take part in the Ride being, Bongiwe Didiza, Crescentia Ndimande and Zanele McMurray. With a collective 35 riding experience among them, our ladies are proudly supported by BMW Fourways Motorrad, which was recently awarded Dealership of the Year 2020.
Bongiwe aka Bo Di, will be riding a BMW R nineT which is quite a departure from her much-loved GS adventure bike range. “I’m so used to riding off road and on much bigger bikes so the R nineT is going to be quite an experience for me. It’s going to be nice to ride and not get dusty for once,” she laughed.
I was envious when I saw Bongiwe riding this sexy beast at launch in 2020 but all is forgiven now because I get to ride it too!
– Zanele McMurray, 15 years motorcycle riding experience
Mother of 2, Crescentia settled on a BMW F 900XR mostly because it is a dual purpose and suits her height. commenting on her choice of ride, she said, “I am excited to ride the model Vuyi used in the Pride of Africa Ride 2020 to Durban. From what I can tell it is a comfortable and user-friendly machine and I am looking forward to experiencing all that it has to offer”.
Zanele aka Lady Zee, opted for the R 18 cruiser. “I was envious when I saw Bongiwe riding this sexy beast at launch in 2020 but all is forgiven now because I get to ride it too! And before you ask, no the R 18 is neither too big nor too heavy for me – it’s just right,” she said.
We wish all the women participating in the IFRD 2021 a safe and run ride! To share in the ride and excitement on the day, check out our social media pages.