Motorcycle diary: First Pakistani girl who dared to ride solo

[jamahir]

In a 4 wheeler in the mountains you are trapped. When the car goes over the edge, you go with it.

This is not hawai gyan, but I have seen it in real life in Himachal.

but how many can jump off a bike as it is sliding down??

 

[doppelganger]

but how many can jump off a bike as it is sliding down??

You don't have to. You fall off and often do not even clear the road or the stones on the edge. Even if you go over, you are not stuck to the bike, and more often than not you fall is arrested by trees, brush, etc. as the bike tumbles over.

In a car, you go where the car goes, and it ends in a fireball.

 

[Zibago]

Six-day journey from Lahore on June 14 and completed it on June 20
By

• Ajanta Paul

Published Sunday, August 09, 2015

For Zenith Irfan, riding a motorcycle is synonymous to challenging social norms. (Facebook)



Marketing student, 20-year-old Pakistani girl writes on her Facebook blog - 'Zenith Irfan: 1 Girl 2 Wheels'.

That summarises the story of Lahore-based Zenith Irfan's life.

Defying social taboo this young woman set on a journey through the Kashmir belt on the Pakistani side.

What made her solo travels even more unusual is her choice of vehicle: a motorcycle.

Wearing a white helmet and backpack carefully tied at the back of her motorcycle, Zenith raced along the dangerous terrain of northern Pakistan.

Inspired by the dream of her deceased father who "wanted to travel the world on a bike", Zenith traveled through Kashmir, riding different motorcycle models including Honda 125, Honda CD -70 and Suzuki GS-150.

On her Facebook page she wrote: "He wanted to travel the world on a bike. He wanted to experience every emotion and tantalize every sense he was capable of. I was 10 months old when I lost him and at a very tender age I understood that "some things just don't last forever". My mother accepted it quickly and we all knew this was all we had; 'each other'. With my brother still in her womb and with me cradled in her arms, she fought and raised us. I guess it's the whole emotional roller coaster that ignited the inner biker girl. I was 12 when I first rode one. All I could remember saying was "How do you stop this? How do you stop this?" With the twist of the throttle, the shift of the gear, I went to places carrying my father's legacy. If I fall, I have to get up by myself. Dust the dirt caused by my own failure and face the raging road again. There is no helping hand. You are the designer of your own catastrophe. We all try to find our escape routes. We all try to seclude in something or someone. For me, it was motorcycles."

She describes herself as a 'free hearted soul', which is evident from her Facebook pictures, in which she can be seen crossing a river, spending time among remote tribes, playing with village children and admiring the brave truck drivers.

Zenith started her six-day journey from Lahore on June 14 and completed it on June 20th.

Her blog is the testament of her adventures. Describing the challenges of backpacking in Kashmir, she writes, "Rocky plains, rugged landscapes, broken roads – a natural combination of all trails is presented to you and you have to ace it."

Zenith said she did not come across any resistance when she decided to make this journey.

For Zenith, riding a motorcycle is synonymous to challenging social norms, "A social taboo is enforced on them (female motorcycle riders) by creating a sense of disgrace and shame."

This is the very perception that Zenith aims to change and dared to destroy gender stereotypes of Pakistan's society and embrace the freedom of soul.

In her own words, "With my motorcycle adventures, I aim to elevate and encourage them (women) to embrace their passions and goals, with open arms."

"I won. In the eyes of those who considered me of lesser strength. Who said I could not ride 20km continously, I won. I proved the world, I was no different and that a woman like me can in fact, ride a motorcycle."

In coming weeks, she will travel all of north, funding mosques for necessary renovation and providing aid to the flood victims in Chitral.


Motorcycle diary: First Pakistani girl who dared to ride solo - Emirates 24|7


A girl is going solo on a motorbike and international sport people are not allowed to play in Pakistan...Shame on such chickens who made such rules!!

Actually many low key tournaments have taken place in Pakistan

 

[M.SAAD]

Well looking at this article I am thinking that I don't have much of an idea about biking situation for women in Pakistan. I would love to know about the biking scenario among Pakistani females.
As here in India a lot of females drive bikes (even heavy ones like Harley) and things like this is not a big deal.
If this news had been from Afghanistan type of country then that should be a big news, but in case of Pakistan is it really that big??

It is actually, you'll see a lot of Pakistani females driving cars but hardly anyone riding a bike .

 

[Zibago]

It is big coz she is "riding"

And we all know what happens near Kashmir area!

Heck normal sportsmen from overseas dont have the balls to play in Pakistan while this lady is riding on a path that is dangerous coz of the area itself ...

Nope other than some border region where bsf starts firing kashmir is the ideal location to visit in oakistan it has a very low crime rate

It is actually, you'll see a lot of Pakistani females driving cars but hardly anyone riding a bike .

I have seen girls on scooters in Rwp,Isb and Rahimyarkhan on more than one occassion

 

[Dubious]

low key tournaments

Yea but other competition like Tennis (recently) and even cricket and hockey is waiting its turn far longer than necessary!

 

[Zibago]

Its uncommon cuz normally social norms are challenged by the wealthy and rich gals use cars

 

[M.SAAD]

Nope other than some border region where bsf starts firing kashmir is the ideal location to visit in oakistan it has a very low crime rate


I have seen girls on scooters in Rwp,Isb and Rahimyarkhan on more than one occassion

Lucky you then, I'm yet to experience that sight . Also I think if new gen. Scootie Bikes enter Pak market (like they've entered in India) it'd encourage women & girls to use them more frequent, as I dont think they prefer riding those old hag 1960's scooters u see in Pak or CD-70,125 bikes , nor it is convenient for them .

 

[Zibago]

Yea but other competition like Tennis (recently) and even cricket and hockey is waiting its turn far longer than necessary!

If squash and football players can visit here than why not tennis and hockey teams?

 

[Dubious]

If squash and football players can visit here than why not tennis and hockey teams?

Ask them organizers whose ruling em!

 

[Zibago]

Lucky you then, I'm yet to experience that sight . Also I think if new gen. Scootie Bikes enter Pak market (like they've entered in India) it'd encourage women & girls to use them more frequent, as I dont think they prefer riding those old hag 1960's scooters u see in Pak or CD-70,125 bikes , nor it is convenient for them .

In Rahimyarkhan i saw aunties on cd 70 everyone was staring at them like they committed a crime

 

[jamahir]

You don't have to. You fall off and often do not even clear the road or the stones on the edge. Even if you go over, you are not stuck to the bike, and more often than not you fall is arrested by trees, brush, etc. as the bike tumbles over.

perhaps you say that based on race track events??

 

[Imran Khan]

great idea and brave lady

 

[doppelganger]

perhaps you say that based on race track events??

No I say it based on riding normal bikes on normal roads in the mountains fast.

 

[Koovie]

Brave girl! We need more of her kind in South Asia to challenge nonsensical and archaic social diseases...