In Melbourne
Australia in 1912, a heavily pregnant Mary Olive Goulding was rushed to the
doctor’s in a Goulding sidecar fixed to a 1911 Harley Davidson. Dorothy, or Dot
as she became known, entered the world and into one the great motorcycling
families of the 20th century. Her father James, an English
immigrant, owned a motorcycle dealership and built the world famous Goulding
sidecars. Is it no wonder Dot went on to become on the most influential women
in the motorcycling world.
Dot’s
involvement with motorcycles saw her learn to ride at a very early age and
winning her first trophy in Michigan in 1934, after her father had moved their
sidecar manufacturing business to the USA by 1923. During the 1930s Dot won or
placed in over 50 motorcycle endurance events. All this, competing against men
as the women’s class did not emerge until sometime in the 1960’s.
A young man
named Earl wandered into James Goulding’s Harley dealership to buy some oil for
his J Model. While there he set eyes on Dot and the rest as they say is
history. Earl hung around until James gave him a job as a mechanic. By 1931
Earl and Dot were married and running the dealership.
The pair had
a chance meeting with Arthur Davidson (co-founder of Harley Davidson) which resulted
in them being offered both the rights and funds to buy the HD dealership
portion of James’ business, enabling James to concentrate on his favoured side
car enterprise.
In 1936 the
HD dealership was moved from Saginaw to Detroit increasing the business to the
point where it was one of the top selling Harley Dealerships for many years.
During the period Dot won the Jack Pine Endurance Race several times including
several other 500 mile distance races around the country.
Dot
co-founded the Motor Maids of America and sat as president for some 25 years.
They sold their Harley Dealership in 1972. Between 1928 and 1990, Dot put over
one million miles on Harley Davidson motorcycles. In 1998 Dot was inducted into
the AMA Hall of Fame. She continued to ride until the age of 85, passing in
October of 1987.
Find out
more about this amazing woman -
I’m not sure
what inspires anybody to pioneer – those of us who follow their dreams against
the odds are among the people who I look up to most.
G.W.Gibson - Queen of Speed
It’s not
easy being a girl in an all-male world. Penny McIntyre has to fight every day
to hold her place on the race track. Her lifelong dream of sponsorship is
realised when she is offered the chance to ride as part of a Justin Byrne’s
600cc motorcycle team. At long last her dreams are in reach.
Ride Safely, Write with Passion
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1 comment:
Hi Lee, thanks for hosting, cheers Guy
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