The Passing of Great Motorcycling Friends, Margaret and Mike Wilson
As we have grown, matured as motorcyclists, most of us have had older best friends, mentors, people we always see at events or stay in touch with. These are people who can help us with technical problems, or simply share their stories regarding how motorcycling was “back in the old days.” We respect their opinions, want to listen when they speak. They just seem to always be there for us as symbols of how to “do it right,” how best to live as motorcyclists. Until one day they are gone. Never to be talked with again.
Margaret and Mike Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa have been those people for many of us, actually, all across America. Mike, the dirt track racer, pilot and airplane restorer, Bonneville Land Speed Record Sportster tuner, Margaret, Golden Life Member of the Motor Maids, named America’s Most Popular and Typical Girl Rider for 1958 by the AMA. Mike and Margaret, Harley-Davidson dealers, then Honda dealers, ambassadors, always motorcycling pals that put down motorcycle miles in 48 states. Active with any organization that seems to respect motorcycling history, they poured in hundreds of hours serving on boards, volunteering, sharing their spirit, and likely hundreds of thousands of their hard earned dollars to support the preservation and telling of motorcycling’s great history.
Beautiful tribute to Mike and Margaret.. We will miss them and their smiles.
Nice tribute to both Mike and Margaret. Our conventions will never be the same without them.
So sad that we lost Mike as well. But I am glad that he and Margaret are back together again. They were wonderful people and will be greatly missed. I’m proud to have known them.
This was a very nice tribute. I find comfort in believing they are together again. I am blessed to have known them. Condolences to their family
Thank you for homering them with this article. Lovely couple that talked to every MM that stopped and talked. Margaret gave me personal encouragement to keep on riding! They will be sorely missed but I’m glad they are together again.
Thank you for the wonderful tribute and the preservation of motorcycle history. It is because of places like The National Motorcycle Museum that the trailblazers will not be forgotten. I know they are riding on golden highways together again.
I appreciate what the AMA has done to make tribute to both Mike and Margaret Wilson. They will be deeply missed by all. They had such wonderful stories of love for each other, their motorcycling days, how Margaret became a rider and continued on to be a Motor Maid Legend along with Mike’s flying. All such incredible stories that they would tell you. They both had such a deep love for living life and an infectious smile always on their faces. Our deepest sympathy to their family – Motor Maids – Texas District
It was an honor to know both Margaret and Mike Wilson. May they rest in peace…together again.
I was most honored to be sponsored into the Motormaids by life member Margaret!!! She was such a wonderful inspiration for me and I miss her a great deal. I’m sorry to hear about Mike but I’m not surprised. I’m glad they’re together again.
Such an iconic couple these two! I too will miss Margaret’s dazzling smile at conventions and the comfort of seeing them together. Such a great love story. Margaret was the sweetest and most inspiring lady! So tiny to be riding but inspired all of us shorter stature ladies that we can do it! I met them at my first Motor Maid convention in Cherokee, North Carolina. The motorcycle world has lots some of its greatest supporters.