In the summer of 1916, the U.S. was on the brink of entering World War I (WWI) as two sisters left New York on a cross-country motorcycle trip. The timing of this ride was no coincidence as the sisters were out to prove that women could handle the rigors of motorcycle riding well enough to be military dispatch riders. The lack of military service was an argument used at the time to deny women the right to vote, so this ride not only supported the National Preparedness Movement, but also the Womens Suffrage Movement.
There were no paved roads across the country in 1916. The Van Buren sisters rode on gravel, dirt, and sandy roads like this one making their journey all the more remarkable.
The trip took just over two months and spanned 5,500 miles of rough terrain with the sisters eventually reaching Tijuana, Mexico.
Born in 1884 and 1889, Augusta and Adeline Van Buren were descended from the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren. As you would expect of a presidential family, the Van Burens were wealthy and the two sisters were New York socialites. They must have caused quite a stir when they announced they were riding across the country on motorcycles, a feat unheard of for women of their time.
Adeline and Augusta, or Addie and Gussie to their friends and family, posing somewhere along their journey outfitted in their mens riding leathers. Adeline, left, was 26 and was an English elementary school teacher, and Augusta was 32 and worked in a business office when they set out on their ride in 1916.
Being rich and famous has its advantages, one being that they could afford the top-of-the-line motorcycle for their journey. For a whopping $275 a piece, Augusta and Adeline purchased a pair of Indian Model F motorcycles. They were powered by 1000cc Power Plus V-twin engines and rolled on Firestone tires. The sisters also outfitted themselves in mens riding leathers and boots, something that seemed practical at the time but would prove troublesome later down the road as they were arrested numerous times for wearing mens clothing. (Yes, there were actual laws prohibiting women from wearing mens clothing.)
…becoming the first to summit the mountain on a motorized vehicle.
The women took up motorcycling three years before their monumental ride in 1913. According to the book “Grace and Grit” by William M. Murphy, Adeline said that riding motorcycles was a natural progression for them since the two grew up enjoying outdoor activities.
They chose to leave on the 4th of July in 1916, which I am sure was a nod to the patriotic nature of their ride. Striking out due west from Sheepshead Bay, in Brooklyn, New York, they rode through major cities like Buffalo, Akron, Chicago, and Omaha. This part of the trip was probably very pleasant. There were decent roads and plenty of places to stop for the night and pick up supplies. As the Rocky Mountains loomed in the distance, their real challenges began.
Riding through Denver, the sisters decided to ride to the top of Pikes Peak. They successfully completed the 14,114-foot climb on their motorcycles, becoming the first to summit the mountain on a motorized vehicle. That was the highlight of their trip through the Rockies and soon they were faced with miles of washed out muddy roads. At one point their motorcycles became so mired in the mud, they were forced to walk to the nearest town and enlist the help of some local miners to free the motorcycles.
As the mountains gave way to the desert, the roads improved but a wrong turn somewhere west of Salt Lake City left the two women stranded without water. Coincidentally, it was another prospector that came to their aid, providing them with water and directions to Reno.
From Reno they continued into California without incident and reached Los Angeles on September 8th. They also took a side trip down to Tijuana, Mexico, which had recently become a popular tourist destination thanks to the Panama-California Exposition of 1915.
The sisters met all kinds of people on their ride.
I have found no record of how the sisters returned to New York, but I assume it was not via motorcycle. Nevertheless, they had traveled 5,500 miles on their motorcycles, providing ample proof that women could perform the role of dispatch riders. Upon their return home, Adeline applied to be a dispatch rider and was promptly rejected by the U.S. military.
Although they were not able to fill the roles of dispatch riders during WWI, the sisters went on to have prosperous lives. Adeline earned her law degree, and Augusta became a pilot and womens rights activist. An unexpected outcome of their ride was the lasting effect it had on female motorcyclists the world over. I’m sure the Van Buren sisters never expected to inspire generations of female motorcyclists when they set out to cross the country, but their legacy has continued to influence female riders for nearly a century.
Author Panhead Jim.
About the Author
Panhead Jim is a freelance writer and motorcycle enthusiast whose main focus is vintage American motorcycles. He maintains his own website, RidingVintage.com, which features an extensive collection of self-written articles on the subject of antique motorcycles, including his recent adventures piloting a 1933 Harley-Davidson VL from coast to coast. His work has been featured in various print magazines such as American Iron Magazine, Thunder Press and Kustom, as well as being published across the web on numerous online sites.
My grandmother, Adeline, and her sister, Augusta, had their bikes shipped back to New York, while they took the train. I have her scrapbook with pictures of the return trip they took with their little Brownie camera.
My grandmother, Adeline, and her sister, Augusta, had their bikes shipped back to New York, while they took the train. I have her scrapbook with pictures of the return trip they took with their little Brownie camera.
I sure would like to see those pictures someday. Thanks for sharing Dan!
Love the article. Didn’t realize that they did that. They were awesome ladies.