Gloria Tramontin Struck: The Legendary Female Motorcyclist Celebrates Her 100th Birthday
A Century of Courage: Pioneering the Road for Women Riders
A Trailblazer Born Behind a Motorcycle Shop
Today, July 7, 2025, marks a historic milestone for Gloria Tramontin Struck, a true icon in the world of motorcycling. At 100 years old, this fearless rider from Clifton, New Jersey, continues to captivate and inspire with her lifelong passion for two wheels. With nearly a million miles logged on her Harley-Davidsons and Indian motorcycles, Gloria’s journey is one of courage, adventure, and breaking barriers. As we honor her centennial birthday, let’s dive into the extraordinary life of this Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee and an all-around legend in this industry.
And the accolades keep rolling in as she has been asked to be The Grand Marshal of the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to be held August 1-10, 2025!
A Trailblazer Born Behind a Motorcycle Shop
Born in 1925 in an apartment attached to her family’s Lexington Cycle Shop in Clifton, New Jersey, Gloria was immersed in the world of motorcycles from the start. Her father, Ernest Tramontin, founded the shop in 1915, selling bicycles and Excelsior-Henderson motorcycles. After Ernest’s tragic death in 1928, struck by a car while riding his motorcycle, Gloria’s mother, Pierina, kept the business alive through the Great Depression, transitioning it to an Indian Motorcycle dealership in the 1930s. Gloria’s brother, Arthur “Bub” Tramontin, later took over, shifting to Harley-Davidson sales. This family legacy shaped Gloria’s path to becoming a motorcycling legend.
At age 10, Gloria took her first motorcycle ride, a quick spin around the block with her brother. By 1941, at 16, Bub insisted she learn to ride, despite her initial reluctance. “I don’t want to know how to ride,” she protested, tears in her eyes as she wrote in her book, "Gloria - A Lifetime Motorcyclist: 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding". But on a 1931 Indian Scout, she found her calling. “My brother sweet-talked me into it, and years later, I thanked him,” she said. “I had the most interesting and adventurous life.”
Breaking Barriers in a Man’s World
In the 1940s, female motorcyclists were rare and often faced hostility. Gloria endured name-calling, refusals of gas, and even hotel rejections during her travels. “Women were not supposed to ride motorcycles,” she recalled. “Their opinion didn’t bother me.” Her defiance of societal norms made her a pioneer, paving the way for future generations of women riders. Today, she notes with pride, “There’s no stigma against women riding.”
A Lifetime of Miles and Memories
Gloria’s odometer tells a story of relentless adventure. With an estimated 650,000 to 1,000,000 miles ridden across 14 motorcycles—three Indians and 11 Harleys—she’s explored all 48 contiguous U.S. states, Canada, and eight European countries. Her first solo tour in Canada in 1950 earned a feature in the 1952 Harley-Davidson Enthusiast magazine. In her 70s, she conquered Europe’s treacherous Passo dello Stelvio, navigating switchbacks through the Alps with her son, Glenn. At 90, she rode 1,700 miles from New Jersey to a rally in New Brunswick and back.
Her current ride, a 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, bears the scars of a life well-ridden. Its studded leather saddlebags sag from use, and its windshield carries a scuff from a rogue truck tire that nearly ended her journey. At 5 feet tall and 125 pounds, Gloria handles her 700-pound Harley with ease, often outpacing her daughter, Lori DeSilva, who rides alongside her. “We do not trailer bikes. We ride,” Gloria insists, embodying her no-nonsense approach to motorcycling.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Gloria’s contributions to motorcycling extend beyond her miles. Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2016, she’s celebrated as a role model for women in the sport. Her story is featured in books like The American Motorcycle Girls by Cristine Sommer Simmons and The Chrome Cowgirl Guide to the Motorcycle Life by Sasha Mullins. She’s also a regular at motorcycle events, sharing her experiences with humor and wisdom.
“I would be extremely lucky to ever have the chance to encounter another subject like Gloria,” says artist David Uhl of Uhl Studios. “I consider her a national treasure. I may be jaded by an enhanced passion for history but to actually get the chance to spend time with someone who remembers many of the people in my vintage paintings is a HUGE deal for me.”
Uhl went on to explain that Gloria has been friends with many of the subjects in his other works celebrating motorcycling through the years. Of particular interest is his collection, “The Women of Harley-Davidson”, in which Gloria is one of the star attractions and where die-hard enthusiasts can buy one of his works that feature her.
In fact, the Uhl painting is so dynamic of Gloria that it was used as the cover art for her autobiography, "Gloria - A Lifetime Motorcyclist: 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding"
Even at 100, Gloria remains active, though she’s scaled back from long-distance rides. Her love for motorcycling endures, as does her influence. “She’s a rock star,” says Lori, who continues the family tradition as a dedicated rider. Gloria’s advice to new riders is simple: “Get out there and ride. It’s freedom.”
Celebrating a Century of Grit and Glory
As Gloria Struck celebrates her 100th birthday today, her legacy as a trailblazing female motorcyclist shines brighter than ever. From her first ride on an Indian Scout to her cross-continental journeys on her Harley, Gloria has lived a life of adventure, resilience, and independence. Her story reminds us that passion knows no age, and the open road welcomes anyone bold enough to ride it.
Here’s to Gloria Tramontin Struck — happy 100th birthday to a true motorcycle legend!
References
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. (2016). Gloria Struck: 2016 Inductee. Retrieved from http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=421
Struck, G. T. (2017). Gloria – A Lifetime Motorcyclist: 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding. Stillwater, MN: Wolfgang Publications.
Wasef, B. (2018, August 10). At 93, Gloria Struck Is Still Riding Her Harley and Turning Heads. Cycle World. Retrieved from https://www.cycleworld.com/gloria-struck-93-year-old-harley-rider/