At 93, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Gloria Tramontin-Struck is well known in the motorcycling community, having owned 14 bikes that she has ridden in the 48 contiguous states several times over.

The New Jersey resident and AMA Life Member started riding at age 16 and estimates she has logged 700,000 miles or more.

Now she is sharing her story in a book titled Gloria, A Lifetime Motorcyclist, 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding.

Tramontin-Struck took time to respond to a few questions from American Motorcyclist about her book.

American Motorcyclist: What prompted you to write a book?

Gloria Tramontin-Struck: For many years, motorcyclists had asked me to write a book about the unusual life I led, but I kept putting it off. However, a friend of mine, Marilyn Stemp of Iron Trader News, had arranged a meeting in Daytona Beach between me and a publisher, Timothy Remus. That was the start of my becoming a first-time author at the age of 91.

“I had no idea what I was getting into! I wrote this book myself, in my own words, with no help.”

AM: What kinds of stories can we expect to read in your book?

GTS: One day when I was 16 years old, my brother, Bub, told me he was going to teach me how to ride a motorcycle. I told him, “No!” I didn’t want to learn, and I was not going to do it.

I have been riding ever since that day in 1941, over 77 years ago, and I am still a two-wheel long- distance rider at age 93.

So, after that many years of riding, I have written, not only about my riding history, but also about my family history and how I grew up during the Great Depression that lasted from 1929 to 1941.

There is also a chapter on World War II, telling about my life as a worker in a war plant, as a so-called “Rosie the Riveter.”

I never realized how much I lived life until I started to write about it.

AM: How is the book tour going?

GTS: The book tour is going better than I could have imagined. I love to travel, so this tour is giving me that opportunity.

I am thankful for the help of motorcycle dealers and different organizations to enable me to be at their events.

Since March, I have made 24 stops

in 12 states: Maine, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Arizona.

AM: What kind of reception are you getting from fellow motorcyclists at these events?

GTS: Everyone tells me how happy they are to finally meet me and about how I inspire them to keep on riding. Even non-motorcyclists say I give them inspiration.

AM: Was the experience of writing and publishing a book what you hoped it would be?

GTS: I had no idea what I was getting into! I wrote this book myself, in my own words, with no help.

I had never kept a journal of my travels, so I wrote mostly by memory. It was not easy. It took time for me to think about each word before adding it to a story.

I never realized how good people would feel about my writing effort. The comments from everyone who has read my book are so uplifting. And many are asking when will my next book be coming out? I say, “Never!” But there is always maybe.

AM: What is the best part of being on tour?

GTS: I love meeting people, and that has been the joy of touring. Plus, how else can you get hugs from everyone?

AM: Does your schedule leave any time for riding?

GTS: No, but I hope to make up for it before the end of the year.

AM: What else would you like to share with AMA members?

GTS: When I became a Motor Maid in 1946, one of the requirements was you had to be an AMA member. I am still an AMA member and have been for 72 years and [am]still riding. After all these years, I still enjoy the magazine and knowing that the AMA will always be there promoting motorcycling and protecting our rights. I was honored to be inducted into the AMA [Motorcycle] Hall of Fame in 2016.