Picking up the bike: A tale of sisterhood in the face of defeat

by Elisha Dessurne

An open community for women who are determined to unleash their inner strength, Grit Girls UAE brings continued adventure to thrill seeking ladies across the Emirates. With comradery as a central pillar, the group inspires perseverance and grit in the face of today’s many uncertainties.

The best way to explain what Grit Girls UAE is all about is to tell the story of my introduction into the group and what it did for me. I came across the community a few months ago and it reignited a passion for my favourite thing to do in the world—riding dirt bikes.

Since I was child I have ridden dirt bikes. I was a champion in my class; it was the one thing I could boast to my friends about. My weekends were filled with a healthy dedication to early mornings, perseverance and good old competition. However, I grew up, university called, and it all came to an end.

DYMX – Approx. 2001

I remember standing in my old room one summer, staring at the drums I no longer played, the paints and paint brushes I no longer used, and the cabinet of trophies I could no longer take credit for. The latter became my biggest regret.

Overcoming it however, is one of my biggest accomplishments—and Grit Girls UAE helped me get here.

After graduating I was faced with the challenge of ‘settling down’. You hear about the difficulties of finding work after university, but you never hear about the difficulty of securing a work/life balance once you land the job. What a perfect time to find a new hobby—or better yet, to re-start an old one.

I bought a dirt bike bigger than I had ever ridden and I loved it. I rode in a couple of desert races and felt incredible for even finishing. These races were two hours long on a 20km loop in the dunes with 100 other riders. Not only did I finish, but I was on the podium once more. For a few races it felt amazing, but it began to turn bittersweet.

I was in a ladies’ class, consisting of only three ladies. The day I got first place, I was the only girl in the race! Out of respect to the organisers I accepted the trophy, and still have it up in my house. When guests come around I do feel proud of it but mainly because it’s a way to show off that I ride, which is still totally cool… right?

Maybe not. I come to the beginning of 2019, and I have a decision on my hands. My bike is sitting in the basement untouched, with my friends and biking being two worlds apart, and with no realistic challenge to push me in the racing community.

I gritted my teeth however and went on one final ride. It was a big community ride in support of Dakar Rally finisher Joey Evans (if you haven’t heard of him, look-up him and his story). Joey Evans is a true come-back hero who completed one of the toughest endurance races following his recovery from paralysis.

Joey Evans Community Ride 2019

You would think I could find no excuse to be nervous about joining this ride—but I did. Maybe I wasn’t fast enough? Maybe I would get tired before it ended? Determined not to hold myself back I reached out on the group chat for reassurance.

Not sure exactly what I was looking for, the founder of Grit Girls UAE responded and it immediately became clear to me. I was looking for someone just like me. Better yet, I was looking for a whole group just like me. Grit Girls UAE was still young when I joined, just weeks away from its inaugural event.

The first ‘Try Day’ hosted more than 30 new women riders on the outskirts of the city for one-to-one basics training. Supplied with gear, bikes, and nourishment, 100 percent of attendees left the event capable of riding a dirt bike. I thought it was an amazing idea and success, and have since volunteered wherever I can.

Through the event I have seen more than a handful of completely new riders buy bikes, embark on their own private training, and who have even gone on to join us on our own community rides. And if I thought that was all, alongside these girls I recently took a trip back to the motocross club I raced at as a child.

A new location, a new bike, and a new class to race in. Having raced against eight other women, I was on the podium again and this time it was deserved. I brought home a medal almost identical to the ones I had as a child—and it was all possible because of Grit Girls UAE.

Women’s Class DMX 2019

I have to say, becoming a part of Grit Girls UAE wasn’t strictly about wanting to ride in a girls’ group, it was more about not being the only girl in the group. The community is all-inclusive, it welcomes women and men, beginners and novices, young and old.

Everybody experiences adventure at some point along their journey. Some, however, pursue it as their True North. To an adrenaline junkie, communities that instil confidence and enable you to push boundaries while making friends are truly appreciated. Thank you, Grit Girls UAE. ■

Adventure

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