Be it a helmet or heels, we girls make sure we carry them off with great style. Did you just gawk at ‘helmet’? Riding off to lands unknown, with wide roads ahead of us and the sky for company, biking is one profession and passion that is attracting quite a lot of women these days. We talk to female biker Firdaus Shaikh, who has carved a niche out for herself in the man’s world.
What is it that you love most about biking?
Biking gives me a lot of freedom and the opportunity to get rid of my stress; it basically gives me happiness. When I am on my bike, I forget the world around. It’s a form of meditation. Whenever I am riding my motorcycle, in spite of the stressful lives we lead, I forget everything. The whole acceleration, changing of gears, the thrust and momentum you feel while riding… it kind of makes me feel more alive and of course, the adrenaline rush is a different feeling altogether. It’s like there is a different world inside the helmet. That world is quiet and serene and all the noise is cut off. It’s a state of calm and Zen, that feeling is something I cherish whenever I’m riding. It’s an addiction for me.
Tell us about the challenges you have faced as a woman when biking?
The biggest challenge for me when foraying into biking was sexism. People refuse to accept a girl as a biker immediately. Unfortunately for me, I faced a lot of it not from outsiders but from my own family and it was so ironic because I come from a family of motorcyclists. My dad used to own a motorcycle showroom and when he got to know that his only child wanted to ride bikes he was not so happy about it. Ultimately it was my mother who came to my aid and bought me a bike. We had to lie to my dad and also told him that the bike I was riding belonged to one of my cousins living abroad who had given it to me for safekeeping. It was very hard in the beginning because my dad would get very angry whenever I informed him of my rides. It was very difficult for him and he took about seven years to accept the fact that his daughter loved bikes. You know it’s easier to fight outsiders than your own people.
I was a part of the TV show MTV Stunt Mania and my dad was dead against me participating. All of my friends and family never missed an episode but he never saw a single one. It sure was hurtful. Besides, that the biking community has been very open to me and has accepted me with open arms.
Tell us the various bike trails you have been on.
Ladakh has been my favourite bike trail so far. Other than that, I have covered the whole of coastal route, which starts along the western coast of India. The best part about the coastal route was the fact that it has some brilliant tarmac roads and some amazing ghats and then eventually you land up somewhere, from where you can see the vast sea on one side. I just love it. Other than the costal route I have also done the Delhi-Jaipur route. As soon as you reach the highway, the roads are flat out and you can just zoom through them. Now I want to try out the north-east India trail next.
What would you say is one of your best rides ever?
One of my best rides would be Ladakh, going through Spiti. As a traveller, biker and explorer, it has been the most rewarding ride ever. When you are riding you ride for love and passion, but you also ride because you want to improve as a rider and up your skills. Well, the Spiti terrain made a much better rider than I ever was. The terrain was beautiful, unpredictable and we had plenty of challenges but we faced them with all our power.
Tell us the biggest adventure you have had when biking?
One of the most exciting trips I have even gone on was the Delhi-Jaipur one when I rode on a Harley. I was the youngest one in the group and people didn’t know me. I was just 21 back then and was surrounded by veterans from all over. There was a moment when everyone was taking a break and I just wanted to ride the Harley. I started and within a matter of seconds just zipped past everyone. When I came back everyone remembered me as the girl who rode the Harley like a maniac. It felt real awesome. I was noticed by all of the veterans and it was a great moment!
Do you think men have it easy when foraying into biking?
Definitely! You can close your eyes and say that. Men have it easy everywhere. It is often a given that men are better riders. Whenever I visit the automobile manufacturers, I have to convince the people that I can ride the bikes and that I have, in the past, ridden a lot of bikes and tested a lot of super bikes too before they let me handle their bikes. You have to prove yourself at every turn.
Which is the most dangerous biking trail you have ever gone on?
I have never done anything too dangerous yet. Nothing life-altering yet! Though I plan to try the Mana Pass and the Saanch Paas next year, which I have heard are ridiculously dangerous.
Which is your dream trail?
In India, I want to check out the whole of the north eastern part, starting from Arunachal, Meghalaya and all the other sister states and go on to Bhutan and then move down to Myanmar. Another trail that I have been dreaming about is starting in Turkey, going on to Uzbekistan, Russia, Mongolia and conclude the ride in Italy. I have been planning it for a long time.
Tell us about biking groups. How can an aspiring female biker be a part of the group?
There are plenty of biking groups all over the country and most of the groups are more than happy to have women in them. There are many groups which are bike specific, like Bullet Groups. All you have to do is have the right bike and you can be a part of those groups. Just contact them and attend their meetings and you are sorted. There are many other groups that have a policy of you completing three rides with them before they officially make you one of them. There are many women-only biking clubs as well, such as Bikerni, it’s a club which I co-founded. Being a part of the groups is very easy.
Tell us about the biking gear ever biker should possess.
Safety for a biker is very important. A helmet is compulsory for every biker. Invest in a good helmet and it will last you a very long time. Go for good biker gloves and if you can afford it, then a riding jacket helps you a lot in the long run. A riding jacket helps you conserve your energy and makes you burn out less. Other than that, you should invest in steel-toed, ankle length riding boots, which will protect your feet. Riding pants are good too and if you are not investing in the pants, then opt for knee guards.
Do you have some words for aspiring women bikers?
I would like to tell every aspiring woman biker out there that there will be people who will tell you that you should not be riding a motorcycle. Well, you should not be paying attention to people who bring such negativity in your life. Whether you ride a 100 cc motorcycle or a 1000 cc, it really does not matter. The point is that you love riding and love the feeling when you are on the road; that is all that matters. Do not care about people who discourage you, be it outside the family or in it.
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