One of the biggest reason's for a special ride for girls is that the girls from Islamic families are no longer allowed to ride with boys. The girls themselves have asked for an all-girls ride, so that they too can ride. There will be other non-Islamic girls as well. As guides, we must be culturally sensitive even though we may find aspects of Somali Islam unfair if not just plain wrong. He recommends reading Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel for a good understanding of what it is like to grow up a girl in Somalia.
Feel free to join on a Saturday morning (10AM) ride to get a feel for what a ride entails. This Saturday will not be too soon.
Rides will leave the Shop on Sundays at 1:30 PM. This allows time for girls to return from religious school which they have on both Saturday and Sunday. Do not expect vigorous exercise -- most of these girls have very sedate lifestyles. The weather will be cool if he can get this going this fall. In the cold weather they generally ride to a cafe for cocoa and a cookie. These girls will greatly enjoy exploring Portland and finding different cafes.
Two guides should go out on each ride. He will have a meeting Thursday next week (11/15) 6pm at the Shop to pencil in a schedule for a few weeks. (The Shop is located at 51 Mayo Street, Portland.)
This a great opportunity to help girls get active and introduce them to the larger world around them. For more information you can email Matt directly at: thebikeshop1@yahoo.com
Dana
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