The Grand Nairobi Race has always been close to my heart; I’ve never missed a single one. This year, we partnered with the organisers through Samsung as part of our Wearables Awareness Campaign for the cycling event, aligning with a squad that rarely gets recognised: the Black Mamba riders.
Every year, I’ve shown up like every other cyclist: road bike, helmet, gloves, cycling jersey, glasses – the full kit. But this time, I decided to ride differently. I chose to show up as my mother would have, and as the women back home in Samia, Busia County, in western Kenya, do every day. I swapped the cycling gear for a skirt, blazer, and comfortable heels.
Once upon a time, my mum owned a bicycle called Comerera. For years, we thought that was its name until we discovered it was actually a Carrera brand. My mum grew up in Bunyore, where cycling wasn’t part of everyday life. But when she moved to Samia, everything changed.
Cycling is the order of the day for men, women, and children because it is the most affordable and accessible way to move. She learned from scratch, and once she did, she made sure all of us learned too.
Fast forward to my move to Nairobi, where cycling suddenly felt foreign, especially for women. Unsafe roads. Raised eyebrows. A belief that cycling must always be a ceremony: helmets, gloves, closed roads, specialised bikes.
This year, I showed up at the start line in a skirt, blazer, and helmet, riding a not-so-common bicycle. Everyone stared. One friend even asked if I planned to change later. I smiled and said, “No, I’m riding just as I am, even without padded shorts.”
Throughout the route, I was cheered and encouraged. Some were amused and inspired. What struck me most was how unusual it still felt to see a woman riding freely – not as a racer, but as a person – and that says everything.
Cycling shouldn’t require special gear. We still struggle with poor infrastructure, limited parking, and the perception that women cyclists are “unusual.” Security guards still look puzzled when you ask where to park. Most offices don’t even have cycling facilities.
Cycling should be for everyone; it doesn’t matter what bike you ride or what you wear. I pray for the day cycling feels natural again, when I can wear a lovely dress, hop on a bike, and ride to work stress-free, just like we do in Samia.
Meanwhile, technology is helping modernise cycling. Through Samsung Wearables, we’re redefining what modern cycling looks like, blending innovation with everyday movement to create a connected ecosystem for the modern cyclist.
On your wrist: The Galaxy Watch is your coach – tracking sleep, guiding heart-rate zones, and helping you recover as you ride. It even helps with navigation on the go.
In your ears: The Galaxy Buds keep you connected – music for motivation, noise cancelling for calm, and ambient mode for safety on busy streets.
In your hands: The Galaxy Phone becomes your storyteller – capturing every sunrise start and finish-line smile with pro-grade cameras and nightography.
Brenda Nakhulo is Head of Marketing Mobile Experience, Samsung Electronics East Africa.
