I’m fortunate to attend many community bike events, and while each has its own character, my recent trip to Geraldton for the Women on Wheels International Women’s Day Ride stands out. This event wasn’t about speed or gear; it was a celebration of women jumping on their bikes and heading out with friends for the best type of ride: a ride for friendship.

The formula was simple: Bikes, Friends, and Food. We gathered on the Geraldton Foreshore to connect with our riding buddies and catch up on each other’s lives. Even at the start line, you could see a mix of excitement, reconnection, and that slight nervousness of, “hopefully, I can make it.”

After a few words to get the group motivated, we were let loose. The route took us from the foreshore to Swan Drive Carpark and back. It started well, with the group spreading out and everyone finding their own pace. What was most striking was the effort and colour the participants brought to the day; this wasn’t just a quick trip to the shops, but a vibrant display of outfits and community spirit.

Whipping the windy city

The ride out was smooth – just pedals, smiles, and laughs. However, it wouldn’t be a Geraldton ride without our ‘frenemy’ the wind. It was our friend on the way out and our enemy on the way back. Jokes aside, there was no giving up. The encouragement from new riding buddies was more than enough to get everyone back to the finish line and ready for the final highlight: the food.

The City of Greater Geraldton, and specifically Fred Block, organised a post-ride meal that made the headwind worthwhile. The day finished with good music and shared stories of the morning’s adventure.

Thank you to all the women who came out, got dressed up, and shared their experiences with us. We’ve already started the conversation with the City of Greater Geraldton about bringing the event back next year.