In 1929, when Vivian Bales set off from Albany, Georgia, on her 45-cubic-inch Harley-Davidson, most people couldn’t believe their eyes: a 20-year-old woman embarking alone on a 5,000-mile cross-country motorcycle journey.
She rode for 78 days through rain, dust, unpaved roads, and gas stations that were few and far between. But Vivian didn’t just endure the miles—she thrived on them. Her Harley wasn’t just a machine; it was, as she said, her “key to the whole United States.”
Vivian wasn’t just a rider—she was a trailblazer. Long before adventure riding became popular and before women were seen as road warriors, she crossed the country, meeting mechanics, mayors, fellow riders, and strangers who cheered her on. She became the first motorcycle “cover girl,” featured in The Enthusiast magazine, and a beloved figure in the Harley-Davidson community.
In an era when women were expected to stay close to home, Vivian went wherever the road took her. And she didn’t just ride once—she kept riding through the 1930s, becoming a symbol of freedom, boldness, and sisterhood on two wheels.
She proved that the open road belongs to everyone, and that courage doesn’t always wear armor—it sometimes wears goggles and leather gloves.
Vivian Bales’ story still roars down the highway of American history, reminding us all:
“The road may be rough, but every mile traveled opens the door to new possibilities.”