Vivian Bales, crossing the United States solo on motorcycle, 1929

270 points · 24 comments · view on lemmy.world

24 Comments

fubarx@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 319d

Learned about her through a Harley Davidson history article. Her trademark 'Enthusiast' outfit was all-white.

Especially amazing for the time was Bessie Stringfield: https://motoress.com/woman-rider/trailblazers/bessie-stringfield-the-pioneering-black-woman-motorcycle-trailblazer/

Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 319d (3 replies)

Damn. What a badass chick! Is she single?

neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works · 24 pts · 319d (1 reply)

Sure, you just have to dig up her contact details.

Nasan@sopuli.xyz · 17 pts · 319d

No one will object to this, I exhume?

aeronmelon@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 319d

I have some grave news for you…

Jimbo@pawb.social · 18 pts · 319d (4 replies)

Holy moly, a Harley Davidson that actually looks comfortable

lemming741@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 319d (2 replies)

If you're ever in Milwaukee, the HD museum is worth the trip. Through WW II, it is very cool. By 1970, you should be looking for the nearest exit.

Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe · 2 pts · 319d (1 reply)

Ah yes, the "Malaise Years" in the automotive world.

In the case of Harley, brought on by the acquisition by AMF - the same people that made tennis rackets and kid's bikes.

lemming741@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 319d

And for similar reasons- import bikes were slaughtering HD, so they lobbies for protection.

chonkyninja@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 319d

And cool.

Broadfern@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 319d (1 reply)

If ever there becomes a vintage lesbian crush comm, this would be a great inaugural post.

jaz@quokk.au · 5 pts · 319d

Doesn't hurt that she resembles Carrie Brownstein.

shalafi@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 319d (2 replies)

Dated the diver version of this woman! Gods she looked just like that at 50, only with blonde stripped hair from living in the sun and under the Gulf. Same smile!

Tough, independent, beautiful, strong, all that. Same size even! So wish I could post a pic, not asking permission. In another world I could see her opting for motorcycles instead of SCUBA. She was quite a woman.

Nastybutler@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 319d (1 reply)

acockworkorange@mander.xyz · -2 pts · 319d

Weird? Actually cool flex, you mean.

neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 319d

This had to be extremely uncomfortable haha. The suspension and roads back then were awful, and even today making about 200ish miles a day with a solid ride on great highways/freeways is enough to cause every muscle in my body to spasm and lock up if I'm not taking constant stops.

Can only imagine how rough this trip was.

jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 319d (1 reply)

That Harley had a factory top speed of 85 mph (140 km), which was quite impressive at the time. A Ford Model A topped out at 65 mph (104 km).

Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe · 6 pts · 319d

85 on a bike (and tires and roads) of that era.

I have a 90's sport bike that can do 140 - even today 85 is about all I car to do with it.

Hell, 1970's cars didn't really do those kinds of speeds well - the suspensions just weren't designed for it, they tended to float a LOT.

There were some really ballsy folks in the early 20th, racing stuff like this with little more than some leather protecting them (notably on their head).

FelisCatusDomesticus@social.vivaldi.net · 4 pts · 319d

@PugJesus

looks like she's having fun

ByteJunk@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 319d

The license plate is her name and state? That's bad ass.

ayyy@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 319d

I need more metal plates with my name and hometown on my possessions. Classy af.

tapasinthesun@mastoart.social · 2 pts · 316d

@PugJesus That is a monster of a bike!

magmora@lgbtqia.space · 2 pts · 319d

@PugJesus that is a sexy bike, ngl :D

acidadebranca@masto.pt · 2 pts · 319d

@PugJesus

Não foi presa?