Starting this August, riders worldwide are invited to “Ride 4 Mary”, which will be a tribute to honor the late Mary McGee, motorcycling trailblazer and beloved icon.
At the heart of this global tribute is a profoundly personal ride: On August 30, Mary’s longtime friend and fellow motorcyclist Ruth Belcher will depart from Marysville, Washington, embarking on a coast-to-coast ride in Mary’s honor.
Her destination: Portland, Maine, to attend the Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) Rally and 75th anniversary, where riders from nearly 20 countries will gather in celebration. She will be making two key stops along the way: on September 4, Wailin’ Wayne Weekend, Nelsonville, Ohio, to connect with ADV riders, and on September 5, visit the AMA Hall of Fame, Pickerington, Ohio to visit the Mary McGee exhibit with fellow riders.
Honoring a Trailblazer
Mary McGee was the first woman in the U.S. to race motorcycles professionally. She earned her competition license in 1960, competed in the legendary Baja 1000, and became the first woman to race in an AMA-sanctioned motorcycle event. But Mary’s influence goes far beyond milestones and medals.
Her humor, grit, and generosity made her a mentor and role model to generations of riders. She told stories of riding in borrowed gear and falling in the dirt more times than she could count, always getting up and going again. Mary showed us courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the choice to ride through it.
Mary passed away in November 2024 at the age of 87. Ride for Mary is an opportunity to honor her spirit and continue her story not with words, but with motorcycles and community.
Ruth’s Ride: A Tribute from the Heart
Ruth’s solo ride isn’t a ceremonial gesture. It’s a journey of memory, sisterhood, and promise, an act of devotion to the woman who changed her life and the lives of so many others.
“Mary inspired me as she did thousands to ride with more courage, release the fear, and twist the throttle,” says Ruth. “This ride is for her. For all she stood for. And for the riders still to come.”
Her journey will span thousands of miles, but every rider, anywhere in the world, is invited to ride alongside her in spirit or on the road between August 30 and September 7, 2025.
Ruth has gathered a fantastic team of women who loved Mary and have rallied together to support this heartfelt tribute and global movement. View the Team Page to learn more about these dedicated women riders.
Join the Ride or Host Your Own
Ride for Mary is open to everyone of all genders, all bikes, and all roads. Whether you ride solo, with friends, or lead a group, you’re invited to be part of this historic tribute.
Here’s how to be a supporter:
● Ride in Mary’s name between August 30 and September 7, 2025
● List your ride on the official website, fill out a short form to share your ride date and details at www.ride4mary.com.
● Invite fellow riders to join you.
● Download free ride banners and digital assets
● Share your ride using the hashtags: #Ride4Mary #RidelikeMary #MotorcycleMary #BajaMary #MaryMcGee
● Join Ruth and others at the WIMA-USA Rally in Portland, Maine
● Be a voice for @Ride4Mary and/or host a screening of Motorcycle Mary at a biker event you will be attending. Film details: https://www.imdb.com/fr/title/tt32220579/
Whether you’re riding to a coffee stop, through your city, or across the country, every mile honors Mary’s memory.
Why We Ride 4 Mary
For every rider who ever questioned their strength.
Mary made us laugh, believe, and ride harder for every moment.
For the freedom she lived for, and the legacy she leaves behind.
Ride for Mary is not just a tribute to the past; it’s a reminder that her courage lives on in every rider who gets on the bike and keeps going.
About Ride for Mary
Ride for Mary is a global tribute ride honoring the life and legacy of Mary McGee, road racer, desert rider, motorsport icon, and eternal source of inspiration for the motorcycling community.
Special thanks to Mary McGee’s Family, Haly Watson, and Breakwaters Studios for their support and collaboration.
