I have dreamed of cycling for many years, but living in a religious and strict society that condemned it for girls and being finger-pointed in the eyes of others kept me from this long-standing pleasure and desire.

Was people's point of view so important to me? I don’t think so, but somehow it was a drag. I probably should have been more rebellious and ambitious, and that was my weakness. However, the victim should not be blamed and a society that is not kind to you and puts you in a box is hard to beat.

Plus I did not have any friends to back me up, to accompany and help me in this direction. Every time a man on a bicycle passed by me, I felt sad and anger came along. No girls were cycling in our city and it was an untold rule! So sad and intimidating.

I did not know anyone who had such courage to defy this Long-standing repression and discrimination. The girls around me, those of my generation either had no interest in cycling and sports or had no choice but to accept what has been decided for them.

Until the passage of time threw me into a city in the North. And I started my life there.

North, freedom-loving land of Iran. A place where I saw only a handful of girls cycling. Although they were not a lot and it seemed to be still a stigma, at least they were there.

 My new place of residence was 7 km away from the sea, pristine and untouched nature. It was still a long way and I didn't have a car so finding an alternative vehicle could be very valuable (Bicycle?!!).

On the other hand, living alone in the city still kept me away from nature, I was still alone! I asked my friend, who was my only companion in this city, to introduce me to some people who would enjoy mountain climbing or hiking like me, so that I could at least have someone to go around to nature with. I was desperate, I moaned and nagged so much that one day she finally felt sorry for me and offered to introduce me to a group of her father's friends who were going to the mountains every occasion they got!

To be continued...