Setting the bar high: ‘Spoke n Lace’ Group enjoying the outdoors while keeping fit
By Hannah Randa
‘Spoke n Lace’, an all-girl cycling group will for the first time attempt to complete an arduous feat of cycling a Tricentury(300km) within 24 hours to encourage more Kenyan women to take up cycling as a fun, healthier, safer, greener and more efficient means of transport.
The race dubbed‘Sparta Ride’ will take place on August 15, 2020 from Nairobi to Oloitoktok and back. The event is open to all female cyclists who would like to see a change in the culture of cycling in Kenya, including improvement of infrastructure and equal rights for all road users.
“We are determined we are going to make it within 24 hours because we have been training regularly especially during the lockdown period when we had more free time.” said JodeeMisere, one of the founding partners. Women interested in joining should message@jodeemisere via Instagram.
'Spoke n Lace' comprises of 13 women brought together by their love for cycling and on a mission to create awareness on the importance of making roads in Nairobi more cyclist-friendlyand to sensitize other road users about the necessity of sharing the road.
They focus on riding within Nairobi and nearby counties including Machakos,Taita Taveta, Magadi and Kajiado. They also have a social monthly event called Critical Mass held on the last Saturday of every month where cyclist bike through Nairobi promoting a culture and a passion for cycling.
“Two-wheel commute has largely been dominated by men. Most women are either terrified of riding in Nairobi’s traffic or perhaps haven’t cycled for many years and need toregain their confidence to get back on their bike or are new to cycling and looking for company. Spoke n Lace stands for empowering women to use cycling as a mode of transport and a sport.” added Jodee.
