Biker Belles, Historic Deadwood - Sturgis 2015

Biker Belles - Historic Deadwood

 

Featured Speaker Gloria Struck, lifetime member of the Motor Maids, 

told us about her most daring adventures on motorcycles in the US and Europe

While Gloria Tramontin Struck came from a motorcycling family, she didn't originally have any burning desire to ride. In fact, in 1941, when she was 16, her older brother decided to teach her to ride while she told him tearfully, “I don’t want to know how to ride.” Well, he won out, and since then she has owned 14 bikes—three Indians and 11 Harleys. 

She now rides a 2004 Heritage Softail Classic.

Me and my 'Grandmother of Motorcycling', Gloria Struck

Gloria was born in 1925 behind her family's business, the Lexington Cycle Shop, in Clifton, NJ. The business had been selling bicycles and Excelsior-Henderson motorcycles since 1915. When she was only three years old, her father, Ernest, died at the age of 32, leaving her 28-year-old mother, Pierina, to take over the shop. Pierina became an Indian dealer in the ‘30s until her retirement in 1947 when Gloria's brother, Arthur "Bub" Tramontin, took over as a Harley Dealer. Bub's son is now the third generation to operate the business that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015.

In 1946, at age 21, Gloria joined the Motor Maids. She and the founders’ daughter, Betty Fauls, are the club’s longest standing members still riding. Two years ago, the two were the first in the Motor Maids’ history to be honored for 65 years of active riding.

 

Gloria has logged over 500 thousand miles, riding all 48 continental states many times over. She has made the trip to Daytona Bike Week numerous times since 1951, and she attends many Rallies, Motor Maid events and conventions from New Jersey to California.

Celebrating Gloria Struck's 90th birthday. 

Laura Klock and actress Kirsty Swanson

Having a long talk with my friend Donnie Smith

Gloria's daughter and granddaughter

See ya next year at the Biker Belle's!

Onno “Berserk” Wieringa - Photo’s Onno & G-Rat

Special Thanks to the City of Sturgis, The Buffalo Chip, 

John Parham (National MC Museum Anamosa, IA)

and Richie & Donna 

for all your help, kindness and hospitality!

More about Sturgis later !

Please check the 3.500 photo's we made 

on our USA Sturgis to Anamosa Road Trip 2015 

on www.madnessphotography.nl  Photo Galleries 2015