"People tell me I inspire them."Īlthough Struck shared some of her story with fellow riders at the H.O.G rally, she plans to share all of it with thousands when she releases her book. "A 75-year-old woman yesterday told me she was thinking of giving up riding but after hearing me talk she said she is going to keep riding," Struck said. That tenacity and fierceness on the road motivates others to follow her lead. "Her daughter will be in front going 75 and she will be following close behind," he said. "A lot of women ride today and their boyfriends and husbands are eager to see them ride," she said.Įven Struck's daughter and granddaughter ride.īut John Harabalya, Struck's cousin, said Struck rides stronger than her daughter. There were 51 members at its inception, now there are more than 1,300, Struck said. It was motorcycling's first women's riding group. The organization was established in 1940 by Linda Dugeau and Dot Robinson. Struck is a Motor Maid, part of the organization Motor Maids Inc. Now, women riders are everywhere and dominating the roads together. "It just wasn't a time for women to become independent and I think riding shows a lot of independence."
Struck jokes that she still doesn't know if it was because she was a Yankee or a woman rider, but she figures it was the latter. "It wasn't proper for women to ride," Struck said about the first couple decades she rode. That's why Lakeland Harley Davidson invited her to speak at the four-day rally meant to bring motorcyclists together. "I grew up with motorcycles every day," she said.Īnd because Struck was riding motorcycles during a time when women riders were scarce, she is looked at as a pioneer. Struck's father opened up a motorcycle shop in 1915, and she was was taught to ride at the age of 16. The New Jersey native says she doesn't feel 91 at all.īut why should she? Struck's as sharp as a whip and can vividly remember rides from more than 60 years ago. "My next goal is to ride across country on two wheels when I'm 100," she said.Īnd although that's nine years away, Struck knows she will have no trouble getting there. While relaxing at the Harley Owners Group Rally at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland Friday afternoon, Struck revealed her plans for the future. "I thank him for talking me into it," she said, with a laugh. The 91-year-old, who still rides, hopped on her first Harley Davidson in 1941 and, after some convincing from her brother, hasn't looked back since. LAKELAND - Gloria Tramontin Struck has been riding motorcycles for more than half a century.
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