made her way into several Halls of Fame , and endeared herself to a large portion of the motorcycling industry and public .
Obviously , Gloria is no stranger to adversity , and she ’ s unfortunately dealing with some today . She fell in church a couple months back and broke her hip , which required surgery and a stay in a rehab center – all complicated by the coronavirus situation we ’ re still experiencing today . She ’ s back home now with daughter Lori and happier because of it , though it ’ ll be a few more weeks until she can put weight on that repaired hip . She ’ s confined to a wheelchair for the time being – and it ’ s undoubtedly not the sort of two-wheel transportation she ’ d prefer .
“ It ’ s been a little scary ,” she told this author while rehabbing back in March . “ I keep thinking I ’ ll have to go to three wheels , which is not something I want to do . I have to be careful now . But like I ’ m always preaching , never give up , right ? My plan is to come back , prove I ’ m not so old . [ Laughs !] When I was 91 the docs said I had the health of a 45-yearold . Gonna try the best I can !”
That ’ s pure Gloria . Saucy , stubborn and resilient . A trooper with a sense of humor .
I ’ ve had the pleasure of riding long distances with Gloria and her daughter Lori , and let me tell you … they can ride ! Gloria is a dynamo and the sticker on her helmet says it all : “ Fear me !” She ’ s a tough little Jersey girl with a heart of gold . I love her contagious laughter and how she constantly reminds me that we are making memories – even when we ride in the rain ! She leads by example on how to embrace life and enjoy every moment . Gloria is my second mother and I love her dearly and I can ’ t wait to ride with her again . She is my hero . – Cris Sommer-Simmons .
Gloria , seen here with Buffalo Chip CEO Rod ‘ Woody ’ Woodruff , is proud of her book , and deservedly so . You can get yours directly from Gloria on her Facebook page .
At last August ’ s Sturgis Hall of Fame induction breakfast , I remember sitting there and listening to Gloria accept a Lifetime Achievement award , and laughing right along with several hundred attendees . “ You know me ,” she said with a mischievous grin and that Jersey-girl accent . “ I ’ ve been busy baking cookies for my grandchildren and great grandchildren , and knitting afghans ! Hell ! That ’ s not me ! I ’ d rather be riding on two wheels , around the country , meeting old friends and new friends . Isn ’ t that what motorcycles are for ?!” It doesn ’ t often get put more simply than that . Gloria ’ s oft-stated goal is to ride across the country when she ’ s 100 . Whether or not that comes to pass is anyone ’ s guess . But given the nine and half decade ’ s worth of fortitude contained in that little body , are any motorcyclists who know and love her gonna count her out ? Not likely .
So , heal up fast , Gloria ! You ’ re an inspiration to us all , and we need you out there .
THUNDERPRESS . NET | MAY 2020 | 31