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Over3500 riders take part ina round-the-worldride- the ultimate relay
Over 3500 riders take part in women riders' round-the-world relay
Most overlanders riding the biggest trip of all do it on their own or with a couple of friends, but WRWR - Women Riders World Relay- saw 3520 riders take turns to carry a baton through 79 countries. The first group left John o' Groats in February last year and the last arrived at the finish point - The Bike Shed in north London - on schedule a year later.
Hayley Bell from Warrington came up with the idea in late 2018. 'I wanted to ignite a global sisterhood of inspirational women to promote courage, adventure, unity and passion for biking from all corners of the world;' she said, "and do something that's never been done before on this scale:'
She put it up on a Facebook page and within a month had 10,000 followers. Six other women from across the world became co-organisers, one of which was Michelle Lamphere from South Dakota, who MSL caught up with as a group of four rode from Lands' End to London on the final leg of the trip. "It's been a fantastic effort;' she said. "Hayley originally put out this message saying I'm at work today, but I've had this crazy idea because I'd rather be out riding - are there enough women to take a baton around the world? Some of us joined her and we built the system and worked out a route. We wanted to finish within a year so we're on our home stretch now:'
Starting in Scotland, WRWR took the baton on a tour of Europe, ticking off as many countries as possible before heading north to Scandanavia then east to the Baltic States and Ukraine. Down through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal, then through South East Asia to Australia. Canada followed before the long miles down through the USA and Mexico, Central and South America. After travelling the length of Africa to the UAE, the WRWR route went back through Europe to the UK and its final destination.
Experienced overlander Tiffany Coates took up the baton for its last leg from Lands' End, accompanied by Barbara Alam and Louise Hillier, who carried Michelle Lamphere in her Triumph Bonneville sidecar outfit. "It was sunny at Lands' End;' Louise told MSL, "but there was snow on Bodmin Moor and we've been through hail - it's been very cold, but I'm glad I've done it."'
The final group battled on through torrential rain (the precursor of Storm Dennis), stopping at the Rykas Cafe at Box Hill and the London Motorcycle Show before finally arriving at The Bike Shed on February 15. The baton will be put on display in the National Motorcycle Museum, having travelled 63,518 miles.