Last Update: 28 October 2021
Voni Glaves and Ardys Kellerman hit a million miles and became the first two women in North America to document riding one million miles on BMW motorcycles. This acheivement gained them the prestigious BMW Motorcycle High Mileage Award!
As they approached these accomplishments they arranged to meet in Ouray, Colorado USA to ride their one-millionth miles together on U.S. Highway 550, their “Million Dollar Highway.” Voni, 64, and Ardys, 79, met up to ride their millionth mile together. Their odometers clicked over to this landmark achievement at Red Mountain Overlook in Colorado between Ouray and Silverton, the morning of August 30, 2011. Dealership documentation of their achievements has been sent to BMW Motorrad U.S.A. and to the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, each of which provides mileage awards at 100,000 mile intervals.
Glaves, 64, is a retired teacher who resides in the Texas Big Bend just north of Big Bend National Park. Kellerman, 79, is a retired electronics technician who resides in Lexington, Texas. Both have been riding BMW motorcycles for numerous years. Kellerman bought her first BMW in 1985. Glaves first BMW was her Mother’s Day present in 1977. These women have used 31 different motorcycles – “I’ve had 15 bikes and Ardys has had 16,” says Voni, “My favourite tends to be whichever one I’m riding at the time, but I do have one which really stands out.”
Glaves highest mileage on a single motorcycle was 357,658 miles on a 1993 R1100RS, which she still owns. Kellerman has owned 16 BMW’s including a 1999 R1100RT with 170,000 miles. Voni’s 35-year journey to one million miles has taken her through all 50 states, all the Canadian provinces, five countries in southern Africa, and New Zealand. Asked what she will do next, the proud grandma to two motorcycle-mad boys’ jokes ‘two million miles’. But despite her achievement, Voni says she doesn’t think of herself as an extreme rider. “I don’t see myself like that, but I do like to set personal challenges that are a bit beyond what I think I can do. And then do them. I challenged my students to do the same – and they have,” she says.
Both Kellerman and Glaves are experienced long distance endurance riders. Glaves finished the 11-day Iron Butt Rally in 2003. Kellerman completed the biennial 11-day Iron Butt Rally four times.
But there was another achievement during her journeys that she’s just as proud of. “Every one of my miles was accident free, so I’d like to continue to safely explore this vast country of ours close-up, on two wheels,” she says.
Since we wrote about Ardys and Voni’s achievement, Ardys has taken her final journey on the earth’s roads..Rest in Peace Ardys Kellerman.
Pictured Above: Ardys Kellerman in 2003. She started her 48 Plus ride in White River Junction, Vermont and finished 9-1/2 days and 8543 miles later in Hyder, Alaska, having passed through all of the lower 48 states, plus Alaska! (photo courtesy of Lone Star BMW/Triumph in Austin, Texas)
Legendary Texas rider: Ardys Kellerman dies at 81
on June 25, 2013, on a highway in LEEDS, Alabama the 81-year-old Texas woman who was a legend in the world of BMW motorcycles died after a motorcycle crash Monday astride her motorcycle.
The crash happened at 3:22 p.m. at U.S. 78 and Rex Lake Road. Authorities said Kellerman was driving her motorcycle and pulled out of the convenience store at the intersection, which is near Barber Motor Sports. As she pulled onto U.S. 78, she was struck by an oncoming passenger car driven by an 82-year-old male.
Kellerman was airlifted to UAB Hospital, where she was pronounced dead
Ardys Campbell Kellerman,nicknamed “Queenie,” and “Queen of the Road” was one of the first female BMW riders in North America to cover one million miles.
You will not be forgotten.
1 comment
How very sad. Looks like this fine lady had quite a life for herself. I know it sounds SO cliche but at least she died doing what she loved.