These kinds of training rides are the final stages of a trip that started with the two siblings from rural Afghanistan racing on borrowed bikes while hiding from prying eyes, only to have to flee when the Taliban took control.
They are currently traveling to Paris for the Olympic Games. They will also compete under the flag of their nation, even though a Taliban decree prohibits women from participating in sports.
They were raised in Faryab, one of Afghanistan’s most isolated and traditional provinces, where it was essentially.
When Yulduz was 17 and Fariba was 14, they decided to enter a local cycling race after seeing an advertisement.
They didn’t own a bike, and they didn’t know how to ride, which presented two issues.
One afternoon, the girls borrowed a bike from their neighbor. They thought they were getting the hang of it after a few hours.
The second obstacle they faced was keeping their activities hidden from their family, as women participating in sports are frowned upon in traditional parts of Afghanistan.
