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Linda speaking on Adventure Rider Radio

Go to Adventure Rider Radio. In Podcast Episodes listen to Fifty Years On The Road by Linda Bootherstone (Bick).  See also: 

https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/alex-jackson-riding-in-south-africa-linda-bootherstone-bick-into-africa-with-a-smile

 https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2015/7/9/fifty-years-on-the-road-with-linda-bootherstone-bick

 https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2019/11/14/changing-gears-in-motorcycle-travel

 https://adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2017/12/21/ending-on-a-high-note-mixing-motorcycles-music-and-travel

BOOK by LINDA BOOTHERSTONE

Three Wandering Poms

Linda Bootherstone is a WIMA member and first arrived from the UK in Australia in 1969.  She had met up with two young English girls in London who were also going to Australia.  They got in contact after they had arrived and decided to tour the country on motorcycles.  They had to endure rough roads, bad weather, their bikes breaking down but with great determination they travelled over three quarters of Australia in the early 1970s.

Linda is at present promoting her book at motorcycle club meetings and other venues.

You can purchase this book online from Amazon Books Australia

NEW BOOK OUT BY LINDA BOOTHERSTONE

INTO AFRICA WITH A SMILE

Linda did a trip through Africa on her BMW in 1974 and has now written a book about her trip which started in Tangiers and finished in Cape Town.

The book is available through Amazon Books in paperback for about $23.00 AUD.

CENTENARY RIDE FOR THE VAN BUREN SISTERS

A commemorative ride was held in July this year for the ride that Adelaine and Augusta Van Buren took 100 years ago when they crossed the United States from New York to San Francisco. They travelled 5,500 miles in 60 days over very hazardous roads.

Sixty riders started off from New York with another 200 joining in from all over the USA and Canada.Sarah Shilke a WIMA member from the USA who works for BMW Motorrad was one one the leaders. Also taking part in the ride were descendants of the two sisters, Adeline's grandson Dan Ruderman as well as his son Skyler, future daughter-in-law Anna and his daughter Sofie.

The ride finished on Sunday July 23rd with all riders travelling over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco led by Alisa Clinkenger and Sarah Schilke. A WIMA member from California Sylvia Salenius also joined in the ride.

Photo above - The group of riders by the Golden Gate bridge who took part in the Sisters Ride.

Photo top right - Riders on Golden Gate bridge led by Alisa Clinkenger organiser of the ride and WIMA member Sarah Schilke.

Photo centre right - Descendants of Adeline Van Buren, grandson, Skyler his fiancee, her granddaughter Sofie and son Dan Ruderman.

 

WIMA JAPAN  

Wima Japan celebrate at their Spring Meeting under Sakura.  The cherry blossoms are in flower at this time.                                                              See photos to the right

international female ride day 2017

Groups of women riders all over the world again celebrated this day on the 6th May 2017, this being the 11th year it has been held to various destinations in many countries. WIMA members all over the world have also taken part in their own countries.

Below top photo of WIMA Korea members on Int Female Ride Day

Below is a group from WIMA GB

 

BOOK LAUNCH FOR  FAST WOMEN  by Sally-Anne Fowles

Sally-Anne Fowles held a function at the Prancing Pony Brewery in Mount Barker, SA to launch her new book FAST WOMEN Pioneering Australian motorcyclists.  She had been working on it for some time researching and interviewing women motorcyclists who had excelled in motorcycle racing or touring.

Three of the women who featured in the book were present; Linda Bootherstone-Bick, Mandy Beales, Kim Krebs and also George Bolton whose father was a sponsor for Winifred Well's ride around Australia in 1951. Linda Bootherstone is a life member of the Womens International Motorcycle Association and has been touring the world on bikes for 50 years. She has just returned from a trip in Africa where she visited Rwanda and Uganda. The book launch was attended by  women motorcyclists from WIMA, Women 2 Wheels, Ladies of Harley and Ulysses. The book is available from Dymocks and online.

 WIMA AT INTERNATIONAL RIDE DAY IN CZECH REPUBLIC 2018 AT LEDNICE CASTLE

WIMA GREAT BRITAIN MEMBERS

mega babe raid dubbo november 2018

Women riders from all over Australia attended the Mega Babe Raid at Dubbo on the 16th to 18th of November 2018.  Male riders were also included this time and there was a ride on the Sunday which included them.  On the Saturday women riders lined up in the main shed at the Dubbo Showgrounds and were given a number as they rode in. Then they rode out on a one hundred kilometer ride around the town of Dubbo coming back into the Showgrounds again.There were stalls at the Showgrounds selling motorcycle clothing, badges,belts etc also food stalls where riders could get meals when they attended the evening entertainment. Saturday there was a circus theme and Sunday a band and vocalist with songs made famous by Tina Turner. Three WIMA members attended, Julie Holmes,Kerry Smith and Liv Andersen.

 Photos below top left women rider's bikes and right Liv Andersen with riders from SA.and below right group from South Australia and left riders on 100 kilometer ride at Dubbo.

 

View Larger Image

 WIMA USA member Sylvia riding on bridge

 

 

wIMA  JAPAN

      WIMA INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

                   Asa  Ohquist         

 

 

Top above Sally-Anne signing book at book   launch for Linda Bootherstone-Bick

Above Sally-Anne with Mandy Beales, Linda Bootherstone - Bick and Kim Krebs

 

ROMANIA LATEST WIMA GROUP

WIMA INDIA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WIMA DAY

Below Julie Holmes

Below Kerry Smith and Liv Andersen

          Riders at Dubbo

 

 

KIAMA INTERNATIONAL RALLY 2000

Jennifer Killen with Hazel Mayes,the first Wima member in
Australia, Moira, Angie, Lee and Carmel at the first International Rally held in Australia at Kiama on the coast of NSW south of Sydney.  Since this Rally there have been two others in the Asia, Pacific region.  One in New Zealand at Taupo in the North Island in 2005 and one in Japan near Mt Fuji in 2010. Many members from Europe, the USA, New Zealand, Australia and Japan attended these rallies. This year 2015 the Rally for this region is at Phillip island in Victoria. It will be decided at this International Rally which country will host the next one in 5 years time.

    

Hazel with other riders in line           Hazel changes a plug in her BSA while her friend Irene McCallum waits on her Triumph

HAZEL MAY MAYES  R.I.P

Formerly 109693 ACW Hazel Flick WAAF passed away on June 9, 2015 aged 93 years. Her Funeral was held in Woy Woy on Wednesday, June 17th, 2015.

Hazel Mayes was the first WIMA member in Australia joining in 1950 in the USA. She lived at Umina Beach and previously in Naarabeen and also in Lakemba NSW.

When WIMA held the International Rally at Kiama in the year 2000 Hazel Mayes was a Guest of Honour.  Some of our present members who attended that Rally will remember her. 

 

            

 Hazel Mayes (right) with Wima Japan President                Hazel Mayes riding as pillion with Wima rider in 2004.

and Jennifer Killen from Wima Australia at Kiama

International Rally in 2000.

LINDA'S 70TH BIRTHDAY IN BOLIVIA

Linda spent her 70th Birthday on the 22nd November in Sucre, Bolivia at the home of Edwardo and Lenin Gallardo with Linda joining in playing music and singing with other guests.  She also visited a school in the area at Q'hochis, Sucre Bolivia.  The children sang  some local songs in the Quechua language and did some dances from the Inca tradition for her.

    

 LINDA BOOTHERSTONE IN CHILE

 Linda at Moon Valley in Chile

Linda has been travelling in South America.  She is at present travelling in 

Northern Chile through Antofagasta,San Pedro De Atacama, Tocanao and 

Chiu Chiu where she visited an old church which was founded in 1540.

Click on photo below to see more photos

 

 

 

 linda's account of her south american tour

During my time waiting for the number plates to be able to leave the country I made several trips around northern Chile and visited many places, staying mostly with the very hospitable motorcyclists.  There are many clubs and they treated me like a celebrity so i had to remind myself not to get too big headed.  I went into the Atacama desert and was fortunate to meet Andres who is a professional m/cycle tour guide.  He put me to test on the rough roads.  My bike didn't have the suspension for such terrain so it was quite difficult to keep up with his KTM adventure bike. Wonderful scenery, salt lakes, flamingos, snow capped volcanoes and magic sunsets.

When finally I procured the papers I high-tailed it to the North and over into Bolivia.  I had a date with Lenin and Edwardo in Sucre, Bolivia for my 70th Birthday and I had a long way to go, passing over 5000m through the Andes.  I had a night when I had to put up my tent in the sleet and struggle with bad fuel to the next town where I had the carburetor needle adjusted for the altitude. Bolivia is a much poorer country than Chile and it was difficult to find maps.  I found a variety of towns some very Spanish and others poorly built.  Sucre was the first town in South America that the Spanish built. Lenin my friend there is a tour guide so I obtained much info about the colonial times there.

After a great 70th Birthday party with Lenin and Edwardo with pan pipes and charanga, I continued South meeting other motorcyclists on route. Crossing into Argentina I was advised to go to an area in the North which was stunningly beautiful with many coloured mountains but also with an area semi tropical where it rained and I had to battle with mud on the dirt roads. I found a place to go walking with llamas on a salt flat and met some English people who invited me to stay with them.  I had given up the idea of going South to the Horizons Unlimited meeting so I changed my plans and had a good weekend relaxing with a group of Jawa riders at their annual meeting.

I then crossed the Andes again at a lower altitude and with very good roads and stayed with some women riders in Santiago.  I am taking a trip next week to the Southern Lake district before selling my bike and packing to leave for the UK.  You need at least a year to see even a small part or this huge continent.  It has much more diversity than Australia and is stunningly beautiful.

 


Click on image to view the gallery

LINDA's account of her south american tour continued:

There is a beautiful area south of Santiago and I worked out that if I went directly on the ruta 5 motorway I could get there in two days and of course I was given a biker contact in Valdivia.  I set off and soon had to put on my cold weather gear.  I had a bit of a fright when I heard a horrible noise to find the centrestand spring had broken and was clanging on the ground.  Good old insulating tape.

On arrival at Valdivia to Carlos and Sole's place I was frozen.  Their family invited me to be with them for Xmas eve dinner and on Xmas day I took a ride around one of the lakes.  After the final night with them I started my ride back,camping the first night near a lake and a town that had been settled by Germans in the 1800s.  They have a German beer festival every year there too.

Taking the roads around the coast was difficult as some were dirt and I had to make many detours but it was worth it to see the change in scenery: the small fishing villages and the inland wine and olive growing areas very reminiscent of Spain. After one more night I arrived back in Santiago.  I sold my motorcycle which had been a joy to handle .  Santiago had its New Year's party with fireworks which I viewed from the top of a 33 storey building with some people from the Mujeres Motoras de Chile club who had invited me to join them.

My time in here in South America has been remarkable for the number of people who have taken me in and really shown amazing hospitality.  I don't think I have ever been treated so well in any other country.  My three months of fame now coming to an end and I am looking forward to attending the Celtic Connections festival and seeing friends and family in the UK.

 

     
DUBBO WORLD RECORD 2016

A world record was broken when 1002 women on motorcycles met in Dubbo on 9trh April, 2016.  A womens' riding group 2 Wheel Babes had set a record a couple of years ago at one of their Babe Raids for the most women on motorcyles at an event and this was later challenged by some women riders in the UK. So the challenge was on again in Australia.  

Debb Dagger from 2 Wheel Babes organised this event and notices were sent out around Australia promoting it.  Some women riders came in groups, some solo from every state including Western Australia.  The ages of the women ranged from 16 to 76 riding all kinds of motorcyles, cruisers, sports bikes, off road bikes, trikes, can ams even postie bikes.

On the morning of the 9th April riders gathered at the Dubbo Showgrounds to register and  park in rows on the oval. Every rider was given a pin with a number on it in the order that they lined up. They also received a bag with vouchers and a commemorative T shirt.  There was a ride around the streets of Dubbo from the Showgrounds and all riders had to return there for the final count.  The residents of Dubbo lined the route waving as the riders passed.

 That evening a party had been organised at the Macquarie Inn with a band, bar, BBQ and  full restaurant facilities. It was a lovely warm evening and full credit to the hotel staff for the large number they had to cater for.  Wima members had ridden from Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales to attend the event.

          
RIDERS AT DUBBO

LINDA BICK'S TOUR Of chile

    
Click on image above to view the gallery

The coastal route of Chile gave me spectacular views of the sea and the many fishing ports but the main towns were blighted with huge skyscraper apartments and hotels. In La Serena I stayed with Italo and his wife who lived on the 20th floor. Chile is renowned for frequent earthquakes and all along the coast there was evidence of the last one which caused a tsunami which was quite destructive. Continuing North I had been invited to stay at Copiapo, a mining town where in 2003 33 miners were trapped underground for 65 days. Whilst saying at Coppiapo I was invited to attend a rally 150 kms further north on the edge of the desert region. i rode through some strange arid landscape to get there.

I then decided to go inland into the famous Atacama desert.  At Calama, a town that has grown to service possibly the largest copper mine in the world, Chuchocama, I was hosted by Debra who asked me to speak on the local radio for their motoring program. Another woman could speak English so we made a very amusing interview in Spanglish, me speaking half and half when she interpreted the presenter's questions.

Linda then travelled into Bolivia after eventually getting the registration papers for her bike as there had been a strike by the Registration Office  for 33 days.                                                                                    

      

 

 

 

LINDA BICK'S Trip to uganda and rwanda 2017

Through Facebook I discovered an old school friend who I had not heard of since 1961. She runs an NGO in Uganda so I asked if I could come and visit. So in early September I flew to Entebbe to be met by Liz and after a few days of catching up I took a bus to Kampala where I found a 19 year old YD 125 Yammaha.  My first trip on the bike, after crossing the equator was to the Queen Elizabeth National Park where I saw baboons  and wild elephants. I passed by crater lakes and camped by caves and a waterfall near  Fort Portal. From Fort Portal I continued North and took a detour by Lake Albert to find a salt production aerea and hot springs. Eventually, despite the torrential rain I made it to Murchison Falls National Park which boast the spectacular falls on the Nile. After returning to Kampala I rode East to Jinja where there is one of the many sites claiming to be the source of the Nile.

 

I had a musical contact,Philip Monks, in Mbale, an Englishman who is a music teacher and has moved to Uganda and now teaches in a local school to play Britiish brass band instruments. These are donated by bands and individuals in the UK..From Mbale I went North to the foothills to see the Sipi Falls which are spectacular. i then returned to Masaka as I had had a call from my friend to say that she and her colleague were going to Kidepo National Park. We had a great time and saw many animals. Returning to Masaka I then pick up the bike again and headed to Rwanda passing the border fairly easily to stay the first night at the northern end of Lake Kivu within sight of the volcano, Goma in the Congo.

The ride down beside the lake to Kibuye was spectacular, The roads built by the Chinese are smooth and there is hardly any traffic.I rode further south to the Congo border and after a stop to see an ethnographical museum in the south of the country I went North to the Genocide  Memorial Museum which was very informative and confronting. In Kigali I met a young reporter who had me filmed riding around Kigali and interviewed me.I was lucky enough to catch a local festival in Musanzi where there were top class musicians and craft people.I attended an Ugandan wedding before returning to Kamapala to leave my bike there for sale and then flying back to Australai from Entebbe,