The opportunity when members from branches in the world are gathered every summer is the WIMA international rally (international meeting).

Once a year, one of the WIMA branch in European countries host the meeting, and about 200 – 300 riders drive to the site traveling days from their home countries.

Japanese members who join the rally fly to Europe and rent a motorcycle or car there and ride to the site.

In addition to annual international rally, WIMA started to have special rally once in every 5 year outside Europe after celebrating millennium for the first time in Australia.  Then there was the second special rally 2005 in New Zealand and coming year 2010 will be our country, Japan

Rally site is usually a camping site with good environment where motorcycles are allowed to ride in.  It is common for European riders to wear leather suit for just in case of accident.  To see the riders well equipped in cool black leathers are in line is really impressive.

Sometimes, there are riders over 70’s.  Motorcycle is recognized as a hobby for the adult in Europe so that women there enjoy riding no matter how old they are.  You would feel the history of riding culture established by those good manner riders when you meet such a European female riders.

Rally continues about 1 week.  Charter the whole camp site and members stay there in their own style, camping out or stay at cottages.  During the week, member enjoys touring freely, join fun competition or orienteering tour.

Besides these events, there are welcome party on the first day and farewell party on the last day.  These parties are place for international exchange and participants also enjoy the stage where you can experience the culture of host country.

People who apply for the rally might be anxious about how much it’s going to cost.  These rallies are always held by local female riders who volunteers and by sponsors so that the fee for one week is approx. JPY 30,000 yen including accommodation and parties.  (Meals other than party are excluded.)

Another thing you may worry about would be a language.  It does not mean all the Japanese members who join the rally can speak foreign languages.  It is the same as foreign tourists who visit Japan do not always speak Japanese fluently.  Many of Japanese members are trying to make themselves understood in English with their English that they learned at high school.  In fact, there are also European riders who are not familiar with speaking English.  Don’t worry, you have two tools as a common language, smile and motorcycle.  You can use dictionary or body language as well.  It would be fun.

Seeing is believing.  Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in WIMA international rally.