David Uhl’s Tribute To Gloria Tramontin Struck

She is 86, has done 69 years of riding in the US and abroad. She doesn’t know the word trailer, still shovel the snow front of her New Jersey house in winter to be able to ride to Daytona Bike Week. She is our female hero, an inspiration for all bikers on and off her bike and a remarkable lady inside. She started riding at age 16, and since then she has always been and is still is a long distance rider who set all standards not only for women riders but for all bikers. She is a member of the Sturgis Hall Of Fame, one of the first in 1946 to have joined “Motor Maids“, the first and oldest continuously operated women’s motorcycling organization, and never stopped paving the way for so many ladies who are all her best friend. When she goes to a biker event, she still rides 600 miles a day on her 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic… 

Gloria Tramontin Struck is David Uhl’s newest Woman of Harley, and who is deserving it more? “I would be extremely lucky to ever have the chance to encounter another subject like Gloria. I consider her a national treasure.  I may be jaded by an enhanced passion for history but to actually get the chance to spend time with someone who remembers many of the people in my vintage paintings is a HUGE deal for me. For example she was friends with Gene Baron (the Baron’s Apprentice) and Babe Tancrede (Babe) and several others. She is such classy lady, and hope everyone in the industry gets the opportunity to meet her” said David.

She is a solo bike rider, always has been, and when she will no more physically be able to ride her own bike, she will not climb on a sidecar or trike. She will quit riding. But now is not the time. In March, she will get herself a checkup, then will shovel again her driveway, then brave the cold riding down to Daytona with her daughter. And when she will pass your trailer, because age didn’t slow her down, yes she will think you are a wimp… David Uhl tells me that plans are being made right now for a special event during Daytona Bike Week where you will be able to meet with Gloria, admire her painting (the two gentlemen in the background are Ben Campanelli and Ed Kretz, Jr. who both raced in Daytona and were acquaintances of Gloria) and buy one of Uhl’s popular paintings, including “Ruby”, “Ruth”, “Rose”, “Evelyn” and “Stella”.

Gloria Print specifics (available only on canvas, all signed and numbered with Certificate of Authenticity): Image size appx 24” x 32”, edition of 150 plus 25 Artist Proofs and 25 Hors d’commerce – framed price $1,895. Image size appx 30” x 40”, edition of 20 plus 5 Artist Proofs – framed price $3,850. Image size appx 36” x 48”, edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs – framed price $4,850. Matching numbers for those collecting the “Women of Harley-Davidson” series will be available.  Please contact Greg Rhodes, National Sales Manager at 303-913-4840 to reserve your print or if you need additional information. Uhl Studios

23 Responses to “David Uhl’s Tribute To Gloria Tramontin Struck”


  1. 1 Marc Frantz Jan 19th, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Congratulations Gloria!

    You are an inspiration to all of us!

    God bless you, and may he continue to be your co-pilot.

    Kind Regards,

    Marc

  2. 2 Shifter Jan 19th, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Very cool lady. Admiration.

  3. 3 Marco Jan 19th, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Hey, David Uhl. Are you so tall?

  4. 4 steveb Jan 19th, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Gloria and her daughter Lori are without a doubt, some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet on two wheels or off and they truly earn the badge: Bikerider

  5. 5 chopmonster66 Jan 19th, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    wow ! to cool hope i can still ride when i get her age. ride on ….

  6. 6 MikesHawgPaint Jan 19th, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    Fantastic!!!

    David did a great job capturing her grace for the future generations of riders to use an example of how it was and how it should be!

  7. 7 Richard Jan 19th, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    Wow! I’m a bit older but I don’t even think about 600 mile daysanymore…Apparently, she’s tougher than I am and judging by her picture, a whole lot better looking. Good luck to Gloria and happy trails!

  8. 8 Walt Lumpkin Jan 20th, 2012 at 6:18 am

    I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Gloria and her daughter in Sturgis when they walked up while I was talking with David. Both are lovely ladies and Miss Gloria is a true biker in every sense of the word. She mentioned a trip she wants to take when she reaches the ripe old age of 90. Her spirit and optimism is inspirational.

  9. 9 Rogue Jan 20th, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Gloria is an inspiration to all of us and I hope to be still riding when I reach her age.
    I am happy to say that I know her and her daughter and suggest if you ever get a chance to talk to either one of them that you do so.
    And of course David did an excellent job of painting her.

  10. 10 MotorcycleMarc Jan 20th, 2012 at 8:53 am

    This is a lady. A real lady of motorcycling. What an inspiration to riders she? And David, great artwork as usual.

  11. 11 Lawrence Jan 20th, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Turning 64 next month , bike build in works, hope to have as many fun years riding , YOU ARE MY HERO.

  12. 12 10377586 Jan 20th, 2012 at 10:36 am

    awesome

  13. 13 Larry R Jan 20th, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Fantastic Lady! She keeps it real and sets the standard. L&R

  14. 14 Cris Sommer Simmons Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    David did a wonderful job capturing my friend Gloria on canvas! She’s got such spirit and is always the life of the party!
    As someone who has ridden a 600 mile day with her, I can vouch for her ability to still go the distance. She is the real deal!
    If you ever have a chance to meet this lady… do it!
    She continues to inspire everyone she meets and she will touch your heart too! I’m so proud to call her my friend.
    We love you Gloria! See you in Daytona!

  15. 15 Wiz Jan 21st, 2012 at 10:13 am

    A Lady of Class ‘an Heart! An Individual we can all aspire to emulate. Though our weak attempts can never match her grit, determination, and tenacity. A Testament to the Human Spirit, and what it can accomplish! Thank you Gloria for Blessing our world with your Presence. How’s that fer Butterin’ ya Up? No, all kidding aside, I Truly Respect you. wiz

  16. 16 Barry Brown Jan 21st, 2012 at 11:56 am

    Well done painting but she looks even better on the Indian.

  17. 17 lumpy Jan 21st, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I Love Her Haahaa I Asked Her On A Date A Few Years Ago But I Was Gonna Have To Ride Bitch Great Woman God Bless Awesome Painting

  18. 18 Saskja Jan 21st, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    May God protect you always, Gloria, and keep you safe for many years to come. Ride on, m’lady! David, you are an amazing artist. Wow!

  19. 19 nicker Jan 22nd, 2012 at 12:58 am

    God bless ya Gloria.
    You give us (not-so-old) farts hope that there’ll be many more years of scooter tramping ahead.
    Many thanks and well wishes.

    And thank you Cyril, i needed that inspiration.
    (and others need the example……. 🙂

    RE:
    “… when she will pass your trailer, because age didn’t slow her down, yes she will think you are a wimp…”

    More to the point; “… you’ll know your a wimp…” (you know who you are)

    -nicker-

  20. 20 RamblinRose Jan 23rd, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    This lady is one of the most inspirational ladies I have ever met. Thank you David for captioning her spirit in your work. She defines lady motorcyclist as it should be and I am honored to know her.

  21. 21 Newyorkmyke Jan 23rd, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    WOW! No, double WOW!! Awesome and wonderful tribute! Thankyou!

  22. 22 nicker Jan 23rd, 2012 at 11:34 pm

    And she’s just the person to ask about a “suicide shift”………. 🙂

    -nicker-

  23. 23 Gloria Tramontin Struck Jan 25th, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    I want to thank you, Cyril, for posting my pictures and the article about David Uhl’s painting of me. I ,also, thank all those , who replied with very kind comments. Thought they might want to know a little history about the pictures , as I hope they didn’t think, I was just posing. David is an awesome, talented artist and I became very emotional when I first saw the painting because that was when I was 25 years old and it brought back memories of that time. Fred Van de Perre is comforting me in that one. The painting is of me in 1951 at Daytona Beach on my 1950 61 o.v. Harley Hydraglide pan head .That is when the races were on the beach and David has 2 racers in the background, Ed Kretz and Ben Campanelli. It was my first of my many rides to Daytona ( as I still do today) from my home in Clifton, New Jersey where I still live. I traveled far and wide on that bike, which was one of my favorites of the 14 motorcycles I have owned. I actually started riding in 1941 and that picture of me on my 1941 Indian Bonneville Scout was in 1944 when I was 19.I , also , owned a 1943 Indian Army Bike( shaft driven) and after World War 2 a brand new 1946 Indian Chief before I owned my eleven Harleys.

    Thanks again , Cyril. Gloria Tramontin Struck

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Cyril Huze