Report by Mihaela Hodivoianu, WIMA Romania NP. Photos by Cristina Constantinescu, WIMA Romania.
‘Back to the roots of childhood’ was the motto of the rally hosted by the Romanian division. The event was an invitation to innocence, the excitement of reuniting with dear friends and the joy of living the moment with all your heart.
255 women bikers from 24 countries (Austria, Belgium, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) met in the Șăulia (Mures) camp for a week of activities, dancing and good times. The camp was buzzing with music and laughter from morning ‘til morning. We collected lots of stories, but perhaps the most interesting was that we taught Olten Serbs to WIMA members from all over the world, and they loved it. Who knew traditional dances could be such an international hit?
Preparations started four days in advance and it was a real show! We packed parcels, marked the car park like real artists, turned the campsite into a motorhome dream, and painted over 20 signs – some useful, some just for fun. The organising team was so enthusiastic that the participants who arrived early wanted to join in, and were more than happy to do so. No- one escaped paint or scratches on their hands, but everyone had smiles on their faces!
The first day was all about exciting reunions and new friendships. The venue captured everyone’s hearts from the first moment and the music from the speakers created the perfect atmosphere. The organising team worked flawlessly – the WIMAs were welcomed with open arms, dropped off their luggage and lined up their bikes in the specially arranged car park. The participation package was a real success, with a cloth blouse embroidered with national motifs and the event logo, a metallic glass, sweets, non-alcoholic beer and a lavender bouquet, all nicely packed in a reflective backpack. The evening ended with disco fun with DJ ICSU, providing a perfect end to a day full of activities and excitement.
The second day started in an atmosphere of zen and relaxation. Nothing says ‘good morning’ better than a little stretching and a divine massage! Participants beat the heat with water games – who would have thought a water balloon fight could be so competitive? A nice tradition was the exchange of gifts between participants. Workshops and presentations were not missing from the programme, offering valuable lessons on how to tour with elegance and safety. The evening ended spectacularly with a bonfire, disco on the lake and a film night – something for all tastes! Who knew we could turn a lake into a disco?
The third day started with the most anticipated event – the motorbike parade! The participants started the day with the excitement of the parade, the highlight of the international
gathering. The speciality coffee, present in the camp, was the perfect fuel to awaken our adventurous spirit after the previous days of partying. By 10.30 am we were ready to go, lined up by country and proudly wearing the insignia of the participating divisions, and paraded the approximately 70 km to the Transylvania Motor Ring. With smiles on our faces, waving flags and waving left and right to the children and pedestrians on the road, we arrived at the circuit, where we were treated to a triumphant entry! The exhilaration of arriving at the ring in a line of motorbikes for miles is indescribable. The joy was even greater as we enjoyed three laps of the circuit in heats of 20 participants. We returned to camp with the satisfaction of a memorable experience.
The penultimate day came with games, good cheer and new things learnt! Starting with yoga at the pontoon and ending with dancing at the disco on the other pontoon, the day was very fruitful: first aid course given by SMURD TG Mureș, workshops on motorbike riding safety and improvement, and games of skill and precision. The day ended with a long-standing international rally tradition – Trash Night! A fun evening of songs, memories, skits, skits, skits and costumes. Vampires and witches by the preparation, talent and dedication of the participants.
Last day and nobody wanted to think about leaving yet! There was so much to do! Yoga in the morning, a delicious breakfast and the restaurant adorned with flags of all the nations that have a WIMA division… all made us think we were going to miss each other. Then came the Via Transilvanica storytelling sessions and the nomadic life on a motorbike presented by our very own Luiza – who knew you could live out of a backpack and still always have a battery in your phone? The gala evening was full of firsts, a farewell speech and the long-awaited surprise: the unveiling of the location for the next WIMA International rally!!! And, of course, one last get-together on the meadow over a glass of prosecco – because nothing says ‘goodbye’ better than bubbles of prosecco and laughter under the moonlight.
Finally, a few testimonials, for nothing can be more authentic than the impressions of those who took part.
Despite – or perhaps because of – a tragic event at the beginning, the atmosphere at the rally was truly exceptional. The venue was fantastic, and the surrounding landscape was breathtaking. Moreover, the journey to and from the rally allowed us to appreciate the beauty and diversity of Romania. The program during the rally week in August was full of activities, thanks to both the external providers and the dedicated efforts of the WIMA Romania members. The nightly disco events were another highlight, and the ‘Trash Evening’ was simply unforgettable! It’s a shame the week eventually came to an end, and we had to head back home (Chris, Austria)
A first international rally for me, and what a human adventure! The pleasure of catching up with girlfriends and meeting new people. It’s about discovering yourself by getting out of your comfort zone and pushing your limits to meet all these women who share the same passion for motorcycling. Let’s do it again next year in Germany! (Mireille, France)
My mind keeps going back to Romania to those crazy evenings and hot sunny days. I am now thinking how sorry I would be if I had missed this WIMA rally. I admire you, your WIMA Romania team, I am happy to be a part of it. (Yurga, Lithuania)
Romania is beautiful in the morning with soft blankets of birds hovering over the fields. Men in straw hats stand by the milk ramp, and there is a smell of wood burning and freshly baked bread. Happy cows wander freely across the meadows, and sheep cross the tracks along with rapid dogs and shepherds. We have swung our way through Transalpina, laughed heartily at Trash Night, and met strong, beautiful women and sweet men. Thank you, WIMA Romania. It has been an adventure. Next year, it’s Germany. We’ll be there! (Eli, Norway)
2024 WIMA Romania International Rally – Promotion Video
