akbeemer
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"Motorcycle Mary" McGee was the first female roadracer to hold an FIM license in the US, and when she was made unwelcome on roadracing circuits, she went on to race at Baja.
It has been a rough week for the motorcycle racing community in North America. Along with the sad news of Malcolm Smith’s passing, we also see that pioneering racer Mary McGee, aka “Motorcycle Mary,” has died as well.
Born in Alaska in 1936, McGee’s family moved to the continental US during World War II because of concerns over Japanese invasion. She started her racing career on four wheels but switched to motorcycles in her mid-20s. From there, she raced on motocross tracks, roadracing circuits (she was the first female motorcyclist to hold an FIM license in the US)—and perhaps most impressively, the deserts.
McGee was actually steered towards desert racing by her friend Steve McQueen, and she adapted well to the challenge. She was the first person, male or female, to ironman (ironwoman?) the Baja 500. She ran that event solo in 1975.
In 1976, Motorcycle Mary retired from bike racing for about 25 years. In the early 2000s, she began riding vintage off-road events.
In the past year, a 30-minute documentary on McGee’s life, appropriately titled Motorcycle Mary, started making the film festival circuit and then very recently hit ESPN’s streaming service as well.
McGee’s family posted this message to social media after she died on on November 27, 2024:
Dear friends, Mary Bernice McGee (nee Connor) better known as Motorcycle Mary, passed away on November 27 at her home in Gardnerville, Nevada surrounded by family and friends. We would like to take a moment to extend a thank you to the healthcare providers, caregivers, friends, and family members who made Mary’s transition peaceful. However you may have come to know her, Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism. She was a historic athlete and a motorsports pioneer who embraced life’s challenges, cared deeply for others, and made time to brighten the lives of those around her. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are comforted knowing that her light will continue to shine in everyone she touched. She particularly enjoyed the last few months meeting those who learned her story through the documentary, Motorcycle Mary. We welcome you to share your memories so that Mary’s great spirit continues to resonate as we celebrate the extraordinary life she lived.
It has been a rough week for the motorcycle racing community in North America. Along with the sad news of Malcolm Smith’s passing, we also see that pioneering racer Mary McGee, aka “Motorcycle Mary,” has died as well.
Born in Alaska in 1936, McGee’s family moved to the continental US during World War II because of concerns over Japanese invasion. She started her racing career on four wheels but switched to motorcycles in her mid-20s. From there, she raced on motocross tracks, roadracing circuits (she was the first female motorcyclist to hold an FIM license in the US)—and perhaps most impressively, the deserts.
McGee was actually steered towards desert racing by her friend Steve McQueen, and she adapted well to the challenge. She was the first person, male or female, to ironman (ironwoman?) the Baja 500. She ran that event solo in 1975.
In 1976, Motorcycle Mary retired from bike racing for about 25 years. In the early 2000s, she began riding vintage off-road events.
In the past year, a 30-minute documentary on McGee’s life, appropriately titled Motorcycle Mary, started making the film festival circuit and then very recently hit ESPN’s streaming service as well.
McGee’s family posted this message to social media after she died on on November 27, 2024:
Dear friends, Mary Bernice McGee (nee Connor) better known as Motorcycle Mary, passed away on November 27 at her home in Gardnerville, Nevada surrounded by family and friends. We would like to take a moment to extend a thank you to the healthcare providers, caregivers, friends, and family members who made Mary’s transition peaceful. However you may have come to know her, Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism. She was a historic athlete and a motorsports pioneer who embraced life’s challenges, cared deeply for others, and made time to brighten the lives of those around her. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are comforted knowing that her light will continue to shine in everyone she touched. She particularly enjoyed the last few months meeting those who learned her story through the documentary, Motorcycle Mary. We welcome you to share your memories so that Mary’s great spirit continues to resonate as we celebrate the extraordinary life she lived.
