Women riders have the blood and spirit of our sisters who paved the way for us to enjoy the sport of motorcycling. I am honored to pay love and tribute to Hazel Kolb, “Motorcyclin Grandma”.
Hazel Kolb (pronounced ‘Cob’) was dubbed the “Motorcyclin” Grandma and became a touring ambassador for motorcycling. Kolb was born in Missouri and was introduced to motorcycles when her older brother, Tom moved to California and purchased a motorcycle. Her first ride was on the back of Tom’s bike. She vowed to someday buy a bike and ride to California to visit her brother.
Hazel married young and by the age of 22 had four children. Her dream to buy a bike and ride to California was delayed my many years. Kolb’s second husband, Jack Kolb, acquired a Harley- Davidson via a business deal. The couple became avid riders with Hazel riding as a passenger. Later she got her own bike. In 1975 Jack died of heart failure. To pay tribute to Jack and give back to motorcycling, Hazel, at age 53, headed to Maine in April of 1979 on her Harley determined to ride the entire perimeter of the United States.
Harley-Davidson stepped up to help sponsor the perimeter ride and arranged for interviews, newspaper features and TV appearances along the way. The “Motorcyclin Grandma” appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and “Good Morning America”. Hazel won the hearts of the American public with her down-to-earth motorcycle riding country gal charm, beauty and charisma!
During her odyssey, Hazel fulfilled the promise she made years earlier to her brother when she crossed over into California. Kolb’s ride covered nearly 15,000 miles giving motorcycle’s image a tremendous boost in the process. Hazel Kolb was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. Kolb was also the first woman AMA trustee. Kolb passed away from Cancer in 1990 but her spirit lives on in the hearts of motorcycle riding moms and grandmothers everywhere.
Join me in reading more about Hazel Kolb, our sister and hero at the location below:
http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=209
Safe Riding,
Lolo
Motorcycle Riding Moms, LLC