Gloria signs a copy of her book at the 85th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It’s not often that a book captures both the spirit of motorcycling and the resilience of the human soul, but Gloria: A Lifetime Motorcyclist – 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding does exactly that. With grace, candor, and an unmistakable sense of adventure, Gloria Struck chronicles her extraordinary life as one of America’s pioneering female motorcyclists – a woman who defied gender norms, weathered life’s bumps on the road, and rode well past the age when most others would have abandoned it. For Rider readers who’ve come to appreciate the stories behind the miles, Gloria’s journey is essential reading. Born in 1925 and raised in an era when women were expected to be on the back of the bike if on a bike at all, Gloria broke the mold early. Her mother owned an Indian motorcycle dealership in Clifton, New Jersey, in the 1910s – rare at the time – and that two-wheeled bloodline ran strong. Gloria took up motorcycling in 1941, just after graduating high school, a time when the roads – and society – weren’t exactly welcoming to women in leather. Her book reads less like a biography and more like a fireside chat with your favorite friend – her voice holds authority, warmth, and humility all at once. Gloria doesn’t embellish or preach. She tells it like it was – and like it still is for any rider facing risk, reward, and the open road. At its core, this is a story of perseverance. Gloria weaves through decades of motorcycling history – from the post-WWII days of Harley-Davidsons and Indians to the cultural booms of the 1960s and ’70s, the rise of women riders in the ’80s, and into the 21st century when she became a living legend. She recounts cross-country rides, charity events, family life, and personal hardship with the same steady throttle she’s applied to life. There are no shortcuts or glossed-over moments here. From snowstorms in Wyoming to breaking down in Texas, Gloria rides through it all, always with her signature sense of determination. One of the most moving parts of the book is Gloria’s reflections on aging. Still riding into her 90s, she shares the physical and emotional challenges that come with being the oldest woman motorcyclist in most crowds. “As long as I can throw a leg over,” she writes, “I will keep riding.” That sentence resonates deeply, not just for senior riders but for anyone who views motorcycling as more than a hobby. It’s impossible to overstate what Gloria Struck represents to the motorcycling community, especially to women riders. Long before terms like “female empowerment” became buzzwords, Gloria lived it. She joined the Motor Maids in 1946, just six years after the organization was founded, and eventually became one of its most visible ambassadors. In her own words, the Motor Maids “weren’t feminists. We were just women who loved to ride – and we were good at it.” Her list of accolades is long and well-deserved: Inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in 2011 Inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2016 Recipient of the Motor Maids Diamond Award Featured on the Discovery Channel, NBC, and in countless publications Rode over 650,000 miles across North America She has ridden across every state in the continental U.S. and has also tackled the Alps in Europe on her motorcycle. For her 90th birthday in 2015, she rode over 1,700 miles from New Jersey to a Motor Maids rally in New Brunswick and back. Chosen to be Grand Marshall of the 85th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally These achievements aren’t presented in the book with bravado. They’re told with appreciation, often humbly. Gloria didn’t set out to make history; she just never let the world tell her no. In an age when motorcycling is shifting (more electric bikes, fewer young riders, and increasingly sanitized experiences), Gloria’s story reminds us of the raw, unscripted joy of riding. Her tale is rooted in authenticity. She wasn’t chasing likes or sponsors. She rode for the same reason we all do: to feel free, to see the world on our own terms, and to find out what we’re made of. Her insights on life, loss, motherhood, and marriage are honest and relatable, especially to women who juggle riding with responsibilities. But Gloria’s story transcends gender. Man or woman, young or old, any rider will find themselves nodding in recognition. This is a woman who didn’t just ride motorcycles; she lived motorcycles. Her words offer a blueprint for a life lived fully: “I never wanted to be ordinary. I wanted to feel alive.” Readers will appreciate the historical touchstones sprinkled throughout the book. From the early days of rigid frames and foot clutches to the dawn of the touring bike, Gloria gives us a front-row seat to the evolution of American motorcycling. Her friendship with notable riders, her attendance at countless rallies, and her connection to the Sturgis and Daytona communities further ground her story in the broader motorcycling culture. Gloria’s connection to the community is felt most strongly in her final chapters, in which she writes about mentoring young women riders, supporting charities, and speaking at rallies across the country. Her humility never wavers. “I’m just a motorcyclist,” she says often. But she is much more than that. She is a bridge between generations, a reminder of what’s possible, and a testament to the idea that growing older doesn’t mean growing out of your passions. If you’ve ever started your engine before dawn, patched a tire on the side of the road, or twisted the throttle just to clear your head, this book is for you. Gloria Struck’s story is a meditation on freedom, resilience, and choosing your own road, no matter how unconventional. Her book doesn’t aim to shock or dazzle. It just tells the truth. And that truth is more powerful than any wheelie or burnout. It reminds us that motorcycling is a lifelong pursuit, one that rewards not just speed or skill but heart. See all of Rider‘s book reviews here Gloria: A Lifetime Motorcyclist – 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding is available in print and digital formats through the AMA Hall of Fame Store and other retailers. The post Book Review: “Gloria: A Lifetime Motorcyclist – 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding” appeared first on Rider Magazine.

PSA to All Bikers — And Anyone Who Needs to Hear This ??️