They ride against against the tide. They ride in spite of disapproving relatives. They must be escorted on training rides by their coach, Abdul Sadiq, who trains them despite the threats and the violence. Six months ago he was hospitalized after a threat turned into an attack. They ride before dawn to avoid insults and rocks.

They are women in Afghanistan, and their “sin” is cycling.

David Loyn (BBC News) calls them perhaps “the world’s most unlikely sports team.” And says they have an “evangelical zeal” … except is it for their cycling not their religion.

Even in post-Taliban Afghanistan, their lives are not their own. 18-year-old team member Zainab has a dream, she says:

“It’s my ambition, and I hope that one day girls will be allowed to go cycling on the streets, without a coach, or anyone with them, and they will not have problems.”

I say good for them. And damn their detractors.

Sources:
BBC News http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31311887
The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/26/afghanistan-women-cycling-team-olympic-dream