Nevada ‘Motorcycle Mama’ Celebrates 102nd Birthday on Harley

DAYTON, Nev. (AP) — A 102-year-old northern Nevada girl recognized domestically as “Motorbike Mama” celebrated her newest birthday on the again of a Harley Davison.

Velma Thornburgh’s daughter organized the trek in Dayton on U.S. Freeway 50 east of Carson Metropolis final weekend with an area motorbike membership.

“I simply can’t consider it,” Thornburg mentioned as members of the Templar Crusaders Motorbike Membership Northern Nevada gathered final weekend to have a good time her 102nd birthday.

“Thanks, thanks, thanks,” she advised them.

Born April 10, 1920, Thornburgh of Dayton used to journey along with her father when she was younger, mentioned her daughter, Sandra Bell, 77.

She rode horses and bikes nicely into her 80s and historically made an annual journey on her birthday till it was placed on maintain in recent times attributable to COVID-19, Bell advised the Nevada Attraction.

She mentioned her mom’s want was to go on another motorbike journey this 12 months.

On Sunday, Thornburgh slipped on a Harley-Davidson jacket the membership gave her. Others gently fitted on her helmet good and punctiliously lifted her onto the seat behind Templar Crusaders President Bruce Harmon.

Bell, who joined them on the journey, ordered a big birthday cake with a photograph exhibiting Thornburgh on a motorcycle from her earlier using days to commemorate the particular “102.”

Bell had reached out to Harmon and the membership by a church contact and Harmon’s niece, Brieanna Smith, to ask in the event that they’d grant Thornburgh’s want.

The membership is made up of legislation enforcement and first responder veterans who recurrently serve )seniors by annual occasions, together with amassing funds and presents by an annual vacation poker run.

“Not all bikers are unhealthy guys,” Harmon mentioned.

It was the primary time the group had executed a birthday journey, he mentioned, however they had been anxious to assist for somebody like Thornburgh.

“This simply felt like one thing we should always do,” Harmon mentioned. “It was fairly an honor and all of my associates, they wouldn’t have handed it up.”

“Many of the guys that run round city that journey these massive beasts are nice massive teddy bears,” he mentioned. “We’re right here to assist the group and this is only one factor that we like to do.”

Bell mentioned she was grateful for the membership’s beneficiant gesture to her mom.

“I nearly cried after I obtained on the motorbike, I used to be attempting so laborious to not cry,” Bell mentioned.

“That basically does imply quite a bit to me. I do know it did to Mother. That’s what I advised Bruce. How do you say thanks? There’s no phrases. She couldn’t wait. She was the queen of the day,” she mentioned.

As for the journey itself, Thornburgh made it so far as she may on U.S. 50, making it down to almost the put up workplace earlier than needing to show again.

“I will be again subsequent 12 months to present you one other journey,” Harmon advised her after they returned.

Buddies and membership members then sang “Blissful Birthday” as Thornburgh beamed.

“She’s a outstanding particular person,” Bell mentioned. “She’s obtained extra stamina than I do, and I can’t sustain along with her. … She’s had a birthday past something she’s ever dreamed.”

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