Women bikers from 25 countries gather in Estonia for WIMA rally
Around 300 women bikers from over 20 countries, including even Australia, Japan and Curaçao, were in Pärnu this week for an international motorcycle rally.
Organized by the Estonian chapter of the Women's International Motorcycle Association (WIMA), the event attracted women motorcyclists from a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, not to mention motorbike type preferences. As well as the bikes, the attendees got a good introduction to Estonia.
"Including Estonia, we have participants from 25 countries. Of the neighboring countries there are Lithuania, Finland, Sweden and Norway, and from farther afield the United States, Australia, Curaçao and Japan. Yesterday was Estonia Day, when we showcased Estonian food and traditional folk costumes, and Estonian folk dancers performed. We also went on an excursion to Soomaa. Tomorrow we're planning to visit Kihnu," Marju Uusküla, a WIMA Eesti member, told "Aktuaalne kaamera".
On Wednesday, the women rode in convoy from their campsite at Valgeranna, just outside Pärnu, to the town center for the parade, while they will be exploring Estonia by bike for the whole week.
For some of the riders from overseas, renting a bike was the way to go. "Our motorbikes can't go over the ocean, so we had to rent motorbikes in Latvia, in Riga," said Cheryl Woodsom, a motorcyclist from the U.S.
It was Woodsom's first time in Estonia, but after just a couple of days she said she had already been left with an extremely positive impression. "The people are so kind and generous, and when we were riding in today, I had tears in my eyes because everybody was waving excited to see people coming through, and that made me really happy."
Veteran British rider Sheonagh Ravensdale pointed out the event, held in a different country each year, had returned to Estonia.
"WIMA is now 76 years old, it was founded in America, and every year we have a rally in a different place, a different country, and this is the second in Estonia - the first time was 2017," Ravensdale said.
As for motivation, bike riding brings one a feeling of freedom and independence, Ravensdale went on. "You feel the air, and it's completely different from being in a box, so we all love it. I've ridden for 50 years and I'm still riding - we just love it.
The next WIMA meet takes place in Italy.
The original "Aktuaalne kaamera" segment can be viewed below.
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Editor: Andrew Whyte, Johanna Alvin
Source: "Aktuaalne kaamera"
