Happy World Bicycle Day!

Earlier this year, I spent a week chasing - and sharing the stories of the cyclists competing in the Race Around Rwanda, a 1000km self-supported bikepacking race with 18,000m of elevation and 40% offroad. I detailed the stories from the road of beautiful and brutal race this year in episodes 6 through 10 as well as episode 14 so go back and check those episodes out.

This is a story from Rwanda but it's not just about the race. This is about the impact of one woman, Violette Neza, a champion Rwandan ultra-cyclist and coach and I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy to feature - and spotlight on World Bicycle Day.

In this episode, you’ll hear Violette’s own story of learning to ride a bike. What cycling means to her and why she wants to share the joy of cycling with other girls and young women, who otherwise may never have the opportunity to experience what we all do regularly, how wonderful and freeing it is to ride your bike.

I recorded this back in February in Kigali so to get up to date with Viollete and her team, please follow:

Komera Cycling Team: @komeranewct

Violette: @nezaviolette

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve been following The Just BIkes Podcast for a while, you’d know that earlier this year, I spent a week chasing the cyclists competing in the Race Around Rwanda, a 1000km self-supported bikepacking race that took place in February. With about 18,000m of climbing and 40% offroad with some VERY wild weather patterns, this race is tough.

It’s one I did myself in 2023 but that is a story for another day - or today, if you want to hear it, I did do two episodes based on my own experience below:

Dawn’s DNF Race Report Part 1

Dawn’s DNF Race Report Part 2

Also please feel free to scroll back to episodes 6 through 10 to get a flavor of this year’s race.

We’re revisiting Race Around Rwanda today with my last episode detailing some of experiences of those who took on the race this year, sharing a interview I did on the ground in Kigali with the Lanterne Rouge(s) Christine & Roland Bartmus Caps 55… who timed it perfectly by rolling into the finisher's party to a hero's welcome.

You may also be interested to know that registrations are now open for the 2025 edition of the race: https://racearoundrwanda.com

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moroj Adil is Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclist and you’d be forgiven for not knowing her name yet as she only started cycling two years ago. Yes, that is right, from not knowing how to ride a bike, to being on the Liv Alula Jayco Continental team, her story is one that needs to be heard and what’s most exciting is that it's just getting started.

In this episode, we chat through:

🚲 How Moroj got started

🚲 Her first group ride - which was also her first time riding a bike

🚲 Her first mountain bike race, The Neom Titan Desert Race and how she went from disqualified finisher to podium finish a year later

🚲 The fateful The AlUla Tour

🚲 Joining the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team

🚲 The Traka; and

🚲 Her Olympic and Paris Roubeux aspirations

Moroj’s story highlights what’s possible when you don’t put limits on yourself. It’s a story of taking and making opportunities, working hard and then letting the magic happen. It’s a story of heart, self-belief and the support you receive along the way. Find Moroj on Instagram at @moroj.adi

More Good Stuff:

🔗 🇿🇦 Sani2C - Dawn’s latest race

🔗🇷🇼 The Race Around Rwanda - the first in the 2024 Race series

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.