The MotoLady's Book of Women Who Ride: Motorcycle Heroes, Trailblazers & Record-Breakers

by Alicia Mariah Elfving

Written and curated by Alicia Mariah Elfving, founder of TheMotoLady.com and the Women’s Motorcycle Show, and arguably the most notable advocate for women in the motorcycling hobby, The MotoLady's Book of Women Who Ride  subverts all the tired women-and-motorcycle tropes, offering the true stories of the women past and present who ride and wrench as well as anyone, proving every bit as indispensable to maintaining and growing a positive motorcycling culture. Historically, depictions of women in motorcycle culture tend to objectify—from the outlaw motorcycle club “biker babe” to cheesecake photography to posturing celebrities with motorcycles as props. The truth is much different. From the early days of motorcycle culture more than 100 years ago, women have played a central role in making the motorcycle a legitimate form of transportation , recreation, and motorsport. Elfving presents more than 70 figures in the motorcycle world , from the Americas to Europe and even the Middle East and South Asia—stunt riders, racers, builders, customizers, organizers, and more. Elfving links today’s women motorcyclists with those of the past and illustrates the freedom represented by two wheels , and how motorcycles allow women to transcend cultural expectations confidently . You'll meet riders such
Overwhelmingly positive, Elfving instills confidence and can-do rather than providing an echo chamber of common complaints among women in motorcycling. In addition, The MotoLady's Book of Women Who Ride  is illustrated throughout with contemporary and historical photos of the author’s subjects, comprising a beautiful as well as inspiring package.

184 pages, Hardcover

First published April 20, 2021

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book while researching Bessie Stringfield, a little-known African American motorcycle rider who crossed America solo during the Jim Crow era. She was most definitely an amazing woman who was lightyears ahead of her time. Once I started reading, I was floored, impressed, and inspired by the accomplishments of so many women in the world of two wheels. Racing, mechanics, endurance, and riding just for fun, these women all broke the mold.
Accompanied by beautiful photography filling page after page, this would be a thoughtful gift to anyone, female or male, even remotely interested in the hobby of riding on two wheels.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group- Motorbooks for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is May 25, 2021.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was a fine book, for the right reader – although it didn't start by being that for me. Coming on board for a history-through-example of female motorsports and motorbike riding, I started with an introduction that goes nowhere, and then a four-page encomium for someone I'd never heard of. Only at the end did I get the biography I needed. Yes, this was awkward as the author attests, as writer and subject were great friends, and the topic's passing was not long ago, but this looked like being too personal a book, both in selection and in writing. Luckily, that blip was soon over and done with, and I was meeting ladies who had won world championship points, the fastest bikers of their gender ever, lasses who had been turned away from the Isle of Man TT, sisters who went coast to coast in a US they could not vote in, a woman with her mother packed in the sidecar ditto, and a whole lot more. Yes, this is still not nearly as all-welcoming as it might be, referring to organisations, races, and suchlike that only bikers will know, but this cuts through the ignorance of many a reader – several of these sportswomen should have crossed my path in headline fashion, but had never done so. So despite the initial sense of this being a clubby, bikers-for-bikers-by-bikers book, this does come as a feminist directory of the sport. Great photo selections add to the appeal. too.

[Jennifer Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think that Alicia meant to be hero when she put together this book but in the end she is as much a hero as any of the other women represented in this book. As a rider who is on again/off again on her motorcycle due to both physical ailments and anxieties of my own making buying this book has been the best money spent in a long time. It rekindled the passion that lay buried beneath fear and anxiety to burn hot enough to break through to the surface like a Holy Grail.
She lovingly recounts the lives and passions of role models new and old. Many of the women I recognize as they are some of my own personal heroes. I even found a few new ones to admire from like Lois Price who has been all over the world on solo riding tours (even places like Iran and Africa) as well as being an amazing author. Then there is Mary McGee who was ground breaking in getting women into motorsports. She has even been inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame!
I also found more women to learn from. New examples of a passionate life and a love for motorcycles. Women who show us that women really can do anything. They can ride, race, take solo tours around the world, set world records and even be mechanics and motorcycle designers.
This is a perfect gift for someone- anyone- you love who thinks they can’t do it. These women have beat the odds. Better still this is the perfect gift for yourself. Women to learn from. Women that can show you your own inner strength and passion.
Find your inspiration.

[Elisabeth De Sola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book showcasing women that have the motorbike world as a passion. I felt represented and less scared to take my bikes out!

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief looks at some of the most influential ladies on motorcycles.