Have Indians, will travel

Girls’ plucky enterprise’ ran the headline in the July 27, 1916 edition of The Motor Cycle. The caption for this picture read: “Across the American continent. Miss Adeline Van Buren and her sister, Miss Augusta Van Buren, with their Powerplus Indians, on which they are attempting the 3814 miles journey from Sheepshead Bay to San Francisco.”

Further explanation was given in the accompanying paragraph, expanded: “This is the first coast to coast ride ever attempted by women and anyone who has read of the difficulties encountered by riders on previous attempts will appreciate the magnitude of the undertaking.” It went onto explain how the Misses Buren were ‘born athletes’ who ‘…from early childhood indulged in many different sports…[but] for the past three years [motorcycling] has reigned supreme in their estimation.’