Incredible Motorcycle Story...

[Mike999]

"Born in 1911, Stringfield got her first motorcycle, a 1928 Indian Scout, while she was still in her teens and taught herself how to ride it...at the age of 19, young Stringfield flipped a penny onto a map of the US then ventured out on her bike alone. Interstate highways didn’t yet exist at the time, but the rough, unpaved roads didn’t deter her. In 1930, she became the first Black woman to ride a motorcycle in every one of the connected 48 states - a solo cross-country ride she undertook eight times during her lifetime."

https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/qvxke7/bessie-stringfield-first-black-woman-motorcycled-across-america-jim-crow?utm_source=vicefbus

 

[Daddyfink]

Very cool! 

[BigTallDad]

Cool story!

My dad had an Indian Scout right after WWII but he never did anything like that.

[Rob Hall]

Great story...I love the idea of setting out of a road trip with no particular place as the goal, to see and explore. 

[cobraman]

Very interesting story. Does that spirit still exist anymore ?

[landman]

That took guts. The bike in the photo looks more modern than 1928. could it be a Chief?

[BigTallDad]

1 hour ago, Rob Hall said:

Great story...I love the idea of setting out of a road trip with no particular place as the goal, to see and explore. 

I did that once. I just took off, and returned when I ran out of money; almost made it to the end of my driveway!

[Mike999]

40 minutes ago, landman said:

That took guts. The bike in the photo looks more modern than 1928. could it be a Chief?

Searched on "1928 Indian Scout" and you're right, the one in the photo looks later.  But I'm sure she went thru quite a few rides.  When I was a little kid, one of our neighbors had an old Indian Chief motorcycle with the lighted Chief's head on the fender.  I loved the motorcycle, but that head really fascinated me.

[Jantrix]

2 hours ago, cobraman said:

Very interesting story. Does that spirit still exist anymore ?

I think it does. However, economic times are different. Folks just can't take off on a lark without some sort of support.

Were I a man of means, I would certainly do something similar, but I'm more of a car guy.

[Miatatom]

1 hour ago, BigTallDad said:

I did that once. I just took off, and returned when I ran out of money; almost made it to the end of my driveway!

That's funny, BTD.

What a cool story. Being a black woman traveling alone in that period of time, it may not have been a romantic as it sounds, though.

Reminds me of my favorite AC/DC song.

[shoopdog]

Great story, thank you for sharing.

[Mike999]

The end of the story...

"Stringfield died in 1993 at age 82 from complications surrounding an “enlarged heart.” Though her doctor had advised her to stop riding, “I told him if I don’t ride, I won’t live long. And so I never did quit.”

[PARTSMARTY]

Very cool story indeed !!!

[Greg Wann]

This is a great story for certain.  Anybody remember the TV show "THEN CAME BRONSON"?  I think that is what it was called.  I watched it.  A late 60's, early 70's show.

[Agent G]

"Enlarged heart"

That lady had more heart than half the population of the US. 

Hope she's at peace riding away in heaven.

G

 

[gtx6970]

On 3/30/2018 at 11:06 AM, Rob Hall said:

Great story...I love the idea of setting out of a road trip with no particular place as the goal, to see and explore. 

Agreed,

I would love to do something similar . Only in a vintage convertible / muscle car or something. I would have to be something with 4 wheels. My back/kidneys / knees etc etc  would never take weeks on end on just 2 wheels anymore