Large, rolling green spaces, winding roads, meadows, fields, hedged farmland, and numerous forests: the nature of Creuse is reminiscent of that found across the Channel, from the English Costswolds to the Scottish Borders, and many other regions of the United Kingdom.

This is probably why Zara Strange was convinced to move to Creuse in March 2022, encouraged by Brexit two years earlier. “I’ve traveled a lot in Europe by motorbike and so I’ve crossed France many times,” says the woman who has lived for more than 50 years in Aberdeen, a port city in northeast Scotland.

From Scotland to Creuse

Her choice ultimately fell on Bosmoreau-les-Mines in Creuse: a small mining village steeped in history. An ideal haven of peace for those seeking simplicity far from the hustle and bustle of big cities. In short, an ideal location for motorcycling through the Limousin countryside.

For it is also from her home in the heart of the village that Zara Strange, 72, has been president of WIMA for the past five years. This association, founded in 1950, is the oldest international women’s motorcyclist organization. It brings together more than 4,000 members across 38 countries, on every continent, and advocates for the joy of riding among women, while also supporting and leading numerous charitable initiatives.

“The association is for all women who love motorcycles,” explains the president. “And we use this to support charities that benefit women.”
Zara Strange

WIMA’s scope of action is broad. Fundraising events are organized throughout the year via the internet and through numerous international meetings that strengthen ties between female motorcyclists from different countries..

“Two years ago, for example, we managed to raise more than 20,000 euros for the Ukrainian branch of our association to help women and children affected by the war,” Zara Strange proudly recalls..

This sum has been used to purchase food, clothing, and even toys. More recently, the association financed the purchase of a motorcycle taxi for women in Tanzania. “This allows them to avoid taking the bus, where they can often be attacked,” explains Zara Strange.

The desire to help others

So, when she’s not on one of her three motorcycles crisscrossing the roads of Creuse and the rest of the world, the Scotswoman devotes the rest of her time to various charitable causes through the association she chairs. This is hardly surprising, given the astonishing career path of this new Creuse native.

For nearly 15 years, she worked for government organizations whose goal was to help women who were victims of various forms of violence and who were facing legal issues. It was natural that she turned to WIMA when she discovered the world of motorcycles, somewhat by chance…

“Twenty years ago, I was driving home from work, it was raining and there was a lot of traffic,” says Zara Strange. “And that’s when I saw a motorbike going up the line, so I thought, ‘why can’t that be me?’” Full of motivation, in 2006, she set herself this new challenge that would guide part of her future years.

Without telling anyone, she bought her first motorcycle, a Honda Shadow, ideal for her short daily trips. Then she got her license and discovered the pleasures of a world she had previously thought was mostly reserved for men. A few years later, in 2009, she discovered the WIMA association in a magazine. “I told myself it was for me. It’s what I needed.”

Zara Strange wants to continue helping others through her newfound passion. She has held various positions, including becoming the association’s international president in 2020, after traveling the world on two wheels.

For the past five years, she has regularly left her village of Bosmoreau-les-Mines to participate in women’s motorcycle rallies around the world as president of WIMA, riding her Africa Twin. Philanthropy is always on the horizon.

A position of responsibility for which she devotes hours of voluntary work every day. At the end of the year, Zara Strange will hand over the international presidency of the association. She won’t be putting her foot down, however. “What will I do once I retire? Motorcycles, of course!”