Man-made stallions invade Diamond City, roar against drug abuse
DARING, adventurous, passionate and free-spirited.
Those are just some of the superlatives one can use to describe a biker.
Last week on Saturday, Mutare played host to 32 members of the Zimbabwe Free Riders Association.
The entourage had 20 bikers and those who were in back-up vehicles, just in case of an emergency or a break down.
Among the 20 bikers, four are from Mutare. The attention grabbing roar of their engines brought business in Mutare’s Central Business District to a halt.
There was a standstill as many were captured by the finesse of the bikers that had invaded the land of the diamonds.
The contingent of the bikes was mainly dominated by BMWs, including the BMW k16 Baja, BMW GS 1200 and 1250, BMW RR 1000; as well as Suzuki, Yamaha and Spider Team.
The speed demons, as Michael Jackson termed them, captured the attention of people from as far as Marondera as they cruised to Mutare at an average speed of 130km per hour, with the bikers adorned in stylish apparel and t-shirts carrying anti-drugs messages.
The daredevil ride commenced in Harare, with all the bikers possessing an undiluted passion to raise awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.
While the fight against drug and substance abuse is gaining traction in Manicaland as at least 36 people were recently successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society, there is still a lot to be done.
This is why the riders headed to the heart of Dangamvura, popularly known as Boka Business Centre, for their campaign.
The place was strategic in that several bars are located at the centre, including Dhunza Nite Club, Chitsa Bar and Grill, Amarue Bar and Dangamvura Beer Garden.
Every weekend, hundreds of people swarm the places for beer binges while watching English Premier League matches on television sets mounted outside the bars to accommodate more people.
It is not a secret in Mutare that the business centre is a hotspot for drug abuse and peddling.
Organisers of the trip described the event as successful.
“We felt that it is important to conscientise youths against drug and substance abuse. Riding from Harare to Dangamvura to talk about drug abuse was a worthwhile and fulfilling expedition,” said the Association’s program coordinator, Chelsea, who prefers to be called Mama Sophie.
“We would have loved to explore other places, but time would not allow us. The riders are drawn from across the whole country. Our members have also successfully established themselves in various industries and are professionals,” said Mama Sophie.
She added: “The association was formed eight years ago and has grown. Currently, the Zimbabwe Free Riders Association has 48 members, including nine women.
“In Manicaland, we have four bikers, including our vice president, Scott,” she said.
The mother of five said three of her children are already riding motorbikes, with the youngest one, a three-year-old, learning the ropes. “Most women are not interested in biking but l would strongly recommend it,” said Mama Sophie.
She said riding helps with mental health. “Riding is liberating. It makes you zone off from your problems because it makes you focus on one thing — riding and the road,” said Mama Sophie. However, she went on to highlight that the bikers’ trips also have their own share of problems. “The roads are pretty dangerous, especially with drivers who do not respect bikers. We travel with our own medical team just in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, since the inception of the Association, we have lost three of our members in road traffic accidents,” she said.
She appealed to drivers to observe road rules and respect other road users, including bikers.
The Association’s president, Mr Wisedom Nherera discouraged speeding on the roads.
“These machines can go up to 320kms per hour, but we do not encourage that. Speed kills and should only be done in racing where the necessary precautions would have been taken,” sai Mr Nherera.
As famous daredevil stuntman, Evel Knievel put it: “Riding a motorcycle on today’s highways, you have to ride in a very defensive manner. You have to be a good rider, and you have to have both hands and feet on the controls at all times.”
He said riding motorcycles unites people across boarders.
“This is a sport that unites the world as we have managed to partner other bikers from South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, among other countries, to spearhead various initiatives, including the fight against drug and substance abuse. “We have got sister rallies like the Sapa Yopa in South Africa, which is held annually in December and we support it. Recently, the Mozambicans were in Zimbabwe so next year we intend to go to Chimoio, Mozambique,” said Mr Nherera.
In September, the travelling enthusiasts were in Victoria Falls.
Every year, they travel to all the country’s 10 provinces.
To join the Zimbabwe Free Riders Association, one needs to own a motorbike and acquire a Class 3 driver’s license. They will then fill in a membership form and pay an annual subscription of US$60.