Piece of History: Cedar Rapids Cyclettes

In August 1941, the Cedar Rapids Cyclettes won the trophy as the best-dressed outfit at the annual Iowa Motorcycle Gypsy tour, an annual meeting in Ottumwa that attracted approximately 800 motorcyclists.

At the time of the award, the Cyclettes were the only women’s organization in the state affiliated with the American Motorcyclists Association. All of the members rode motorcycles, and seven of the women owned their own machines.

The Cyclettes were one of the first women's motorcycle clubs in the nation, with the first one being the Motor Maids in Providence, R.I., also started in 1941.

At a Jan. 27, 1942, banquet, Capt. Gordon Hughes of the Cedar Rapids Police Department presented safety banners to both the Cedar Rapids Motorcycle Club and the Cyclettes. Mrs. Roscoe Pilgrim received an award that evening for traveling more miles in 1941 than any other Cyclette.

The club illustrates the changing role of women in society during World War II. Local mentions about the club in the newspaper stop in July 1942, probably in response to the war effort, specifically gas rationing and additional work responsibilities.

Tara Templeman is curator at The History Center. Comments: curator@historycenter.org