This is a photo of my Great-uncle Frank’s former girlfriend taken in the early 1930s on my Great grandfather’s ranch in Sun Valley, CA. I “borrowed” this photo from my Grandpa about 5 years ago so I could take it to my hair stylist for inspiration for a new haircut. I don’t know anything about this woman other than she dated a family member and she liked to ride motorcycles, my Grandpa was only about 7 around this time so he doesn’t remember much about her. Still I love this picture and everything the girl on the bike embodies.
I?m used to walk in the small markets of antique dealers and I found this pictures.
I paid attention to it as I liked the woman personality, riding the bike in an unusual or not so femenin way for the times it was done, but at the same time because she appears kind of ?daring? style.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ro
March 31, 2010 at 7:03 pm
strong women!
i wish i looked this powerfull on my bike…
Nina
March 31, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Dang! I need to start wearing a dress on my bike.
Elaine
March 31, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Would enjoy reading the stories behind these photos – who the women were, when and where the photos were taken…
Jac
March 31, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Yay! I'm so happy my photo was posted and gets to join the ranks of all the other awesome photos already up. I have really enjoyed looking at everyone's vintage photos and reading their stories. Great contest!
the Citizen Rosebud
March 31, 2010 at 7:22 pm
what great pics!
Copious Couture
March 31, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I love these pictures… they are gorgeous! Very powerful woman!
Carissa
http://copiouscouture.blogspot.com
FASHION SNAG
March 31, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Wow, I love a woman on a bike! Wish we knew more about these women. xo
http://www.FashionSnag.com
Anonymous
March 31, 2010 at 7:55 pm
she is not even riding the bike! the kickstand is up! hahaha.
Francesca
March 31, 2010 at 8:05 pm
i love that second picture, its fabulous.
xoxo,
F
lekisskiss.blogspot.com <– Texas gal bloggin fashion from NYC!
enrique
March 31, 2010 at 8:10 pm
A woman's allure increases when they do things that are out of the ordinary. In the context of the time when these photos were taken, these women were complete rebels. Thank you for sharing.
therecusant
March 31, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Except the kickstand is down. Not so daring. Nor so powerful. Cut nonetheless.
cherrystainlips
March 31, 2010 at 9:05 pm
oh i love your pictures, your little anecdotes that accompany the beautiful shots. please please do a links exchange, i only wish i had a good eye like you (:
http://www.cherrystainlips.wordpress.com
Ellen
March 31, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Inspired….smiles.
May Brady
March 31, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Ah, yeah!
Absolutely loving the vintage photos, keep 'em coming…
http://maybrady.blogspot.com/
gene doe
March 31, 2010 at 10:45 pm
found photos can be the most telling
http://genedoeproject.blogspot.com/
Anonymous
March 31, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Darn it, I had a photo of my mother on a bike but did not send it in.
Jocy
March 31, 2010 at 11:45 pm
WOW! The fact that we don't know anything about these women only increases the allure.
KohCo
March 31, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Oh amazing photos of such great women
Such force
Absolutely breathtaking
http://kohandco.blogspot.com
Electra Glide In Blue
April 1, 2010 at 12:12 am
I wish that photo was a little clearer, then I could ID that old motorcycle, just can't quite make it out..:-(
Anonymous
April 1, 2010 at 12:33 am
I wish you'd credit the owners of these photos. I would like to know more about who's sending them.
Vinda Sonata
April 1, 2010 at 1:06 am
beautiful pictures! vintage pics are the best! i find it's xtraordinary too to see those gorgeous women on bikes!
fashion atelier.
Nahal
April 1, 2010 at 1:38 am
I love this one so much!!
Great photo
http://naalface.tumblr.com/
pilcuis
April 1, 2010 at 1:48 am
why women in the past have such a great personality?
http://www.ohmydior.org/
thimbles and gingham
April 1, 2010 at 2:51 am
lovely. i love old photographs.
WHERE IS THE COOL?
April 1, 2010 at 3:25 am
Wonderful pictures. When feminity contrast with masculinity.. Like a girl with a man's Rolex.
proletarian Great Gatsby
April 1, 2010 at 4:03 am
Why people of past times (20th century but bevor we were born)seem to me more modern actual and present than my contemporarys?
A motorcycle is a beautiful and sensual sculpture…"Je n'ai besoin de personne en Harley Davidson…"(Serge Gainsbourg)
Lisa Petrarca
April 1, 2010 at 4:46 am
Very cool, daring women…definitely not adhering to the typical mold of their time. INSPIRING.
Tony
April 1, 2010 at 6:12 am
Both of these photos look like the women are sitting on their boyfriend's motorbikes posing for a photo.
Nothing wrong with that of course and they both look pretty cool. But if nothing is known of these women I wouldn't assume they were the owners of the bikes or that they could ride them.
Yang-May Ooi
April 1, 2010 at 6:56 am
Brilliant photos! Those were the days when you could ride around on such powerful machines without a helmet or other protective gear, looking chic and sassy…
melinda-robicheaux
April 1, 2010 at 8:43 am
I was inspired by all these photos and put the vintage one on my website http://melinda-robicheaux.blogspot.com
This is my Dad – the dancing guy looks like Jim Morrison. He is dancing with his partner during their modern0ballet rehearsal in 70's in Cracow (Poland).
Snappy
April 1, 2010 at 9:02 am
Love the bikes in the photos. Great images.
xsnappy
Le 21ème
April 1, 2010 at 9:38 am
Amazing! Great ladies and awesome rides!
- http://www.21Arrondissement.com
FiL
April 1, 2010 at 9:42 am
This contest is such a great idea thx Scott..
Philippe
wwww.punkgeisha.com
Bisou Mode
April 1, 2010 at 10:14 am
Vintage Photos Are So Inspiring
http://www.bisoumode.blogspot.com
Anonymous
April 1, 2010 at 11:06 am
Just the prospect that in those days women could be so feminine yet daring is so intriguing…
Anonymous
April 1, 2010 at 12:06 pm
So what if the kickstand is down? So what if the bikes are their boyfriends'? The womens' spirit, attitude, and style come through pictures loud and clear. What they embody is not dependent on wether they're actually riding at that moment or not, and I think it's an honest embodiment of who they are : interesting and beautiful women I'm priviliged to glimpse at through this blog and for which I'm grateful to the Sartorialist and his readers.
Beks
April 1, 2010 at 12:44 pm
These are great photos….however, as I am a woman who loves fashion and has a vintage motorcycle myself, I must point out that neither of these woman are actually riding the motorcycles (note the kickstand in the second photo). These girls are pretty and cute sitting on the bikes, but there are strong, stylish, sexy women out there that actually ride bikes. Lets see some pics of them!
Anonymous
April 1, 2010 at 9:27 pm
The bike in the first picture is uber rad. Anyone know what it is? Thanks
Anonymous
April 1, 2010 at 9:36 pm
The woman in the first picture looks a lot like Brandise from Project Runway and Models of the Runway! I absolutely love all these old photos, great idea Scott!
Xiomara
April 1, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Love old pictures and how people used to overdressed back in time…
Kyiomi
April 2, 2010 at 5:45 am
Superbe!!
J'adore. Love this much, so fierce & stylish at the same time. Avant la lettre :-)
Maria
April 2, 2010 at 2:05 pm
the hair IS fabulous. i've done the same with hairdressers..bringing in old photos from 20's flappers to get the same look and feel.
Pattaya Girls
April 4, 2010 at 8:08 am
it amazes me that after all these years bikes are still considered cool and rebelious, perhaps it's the imminent threat of death while riding.
Izzen
April 5, 2010 at 6:13 am
So empowering!
http://izzenxoxo.blogspot.com/
rhianon
April 6, 2010 at 8:55 am
great shots! just because a lady's posed on a bike doesn't mean she doesn't also ride. check out these ladies who've got rad style and the proverbial balls to match:
Elspeth Beard – rode around the world
http://image.motorcyclistonline.com/f/9070974+w750+st0/122_0705_02z+elspeth_beard+on_bike.jpg
Lilian Lefrance – Wall of Death rider
http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/she-ripped-and-she-roared-epic-women-of-destiny-determination/
Toni B
April 7, 2010 at 9:48 am
Not sure 100%, but I guess second pic was made in Barcelona, because of the plate…
Anonymous
April 7, 2010 at 10:05 pm
very nice pictures. SunValley , CA my home.
enterrement de vie de célibataire
April 12, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I don't specially like bike riding but those women was strong.
Lilou
Lauren
April 24, 2010 at 12:16 pm
The second looks a bit like Natalie Portman…
A. Jones
April 28, 2010 at 5:37 pm
vintage pictures are always cool !
Anonymous
July 19, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I'd like to submit one of these photos to my boss for a greeting card for our company, The Borealis Press. Let me know your thoughts, jeff@borealispress.net
Beatriz
October 15, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Your pictures are amazing.
samantha
November 13, 2011 at 7:03 am
strong,memorable pictures..
invest liberty reserve
March 2, 2012 at 4:27 pm
I got what you plan, thanks for putting up. Woh I am glad to feat this website finished google. Thanks For Share Cool Girls on Motorcycles, Vintage Photo Contest The Sartorialist.