The Story of Susanne Koerner and Those Crazy 2000km

Motorcycling has been strongly dominated by men from the beginning, but women with a passion for motorcycles have always existed. Unfortunately, even today, they are talked about very little. Yet, in every two-wheeled category, we find superwomen. We could think of Ana Carasco, a Spanish rider and winner of the World Supersport 300 Championship, or Laia Sanz, an off-road and Dakar rider, or the British trial champion Emma Bristow. These are just a few of the names that come to my mind, perhaps because they are among those I admire so much. And then there are the women travelers! Perhaps a bit less “famous” but equally iconic. For example, Elspeth Beard, she is one of the first women to circumnavigate the globe alone in the 1980s with a BMW. (By the way, I’ll have the chance to meet her at the MissBiker motorcycle gathering in September 2023 and I can’t wait!). I’m sure every nation in the world will have a “heroine” on a motorcycle, whether for a solo journey or a race won, and considering my Sicilian-German roots, I wanted to do some research in Germany. So I found not an icon, but a true piece of history: Susanne Koerner.

THE WOMAN WHO RODE 2000 KM WITH 250CC IN 1927

Susanne Koerner was a young German woman who became known for having ridden alone in early December 1927, in the midst of winter, for 2000 km on a motorcycle. A long-distance journey from Berlin to Birmingham, completed in six days. We are talking not only about almost a hundred years ago, but also about (probably) the first woman to have undertaken such a tough feat in motorcycling! To this day, this route is nothing spectacular, but in that era with decidedly worse roads, a motorcycle that certainly doesn’t compare to those of today, and the absence of navigation systems, it was a very difficult journey. This adventure of hers had indeed attracted great attention both in the national and international press.

FROM SUSANNE KOERNER’S TRAVEL DIARY

“The road is long from Berlin to Birmingham, crossing five countries in winter, with bad weather and without a companion. It will be difficult for a lady, even if well-trained and very experienced.” This is what the motorization employees told me as they approved my project. Once all the bureaucratic part was done, with the necessary documents and excellent equipment, I put aside any doubts and at 9 in the morning on December 1, 1927, I got on my “Avus” (the name she had given to her motorcycle, Ed.) and set off on my long journey.”

Day 1.

“A light mist and cold. Photographers surround me and take pictures while I refuel. Motorcycle enthusiasts and club representatives gather around me and wish me “good luck”. I started the engine and set off on my solo journey. After a short first stop in Potsdam, I headed along the military road to Magdeburg, which allowed for a fast pace on its long straights. The motorcycle covered kilometers, and in the early afternoon, I was already heading towards Hanover. The road conditions were good, although quite busy with carriages. To find the right direction, I had to use the motorcycle as a ladder to reach the sign and illuminate it with a torch.”

Day 2.

“Uneven roads and treacherous slopes. Today’s journey includes Hanover – Paderborn – Düsseldorf. The weather is not the best with a mix of rain and snow, and the wind pushing me sideways. The beautiful panorama with a view of the snowy mountains is barely visible, but I’m too busy tackling the steep hairpin bends without getting too close to the slope.

The rain was beating harder and harder on my rubber-lined clothes, and the dirt began to cake; even the wind became considerably stronger. Yet, I reached Paderborn in a short time and in excellent condition, thus continuing the journey through the industrial area. The traffic through the small villages to cross slowed down the pace. When I entered the villages, people looked at me, and when they realized that inside those muddy and dirty clothes, there was a girl, their amazement was endless.”

Day 3.

“Routine check of the motorcycle and tires before hitting the road towards Rheinlad up to Aachen, crossing the Dutch border at Vaals. Despite the heavy rain, the roads of Maastricht were wonderful. Surrounded by huge meadows that, despite the season, were still green. Around noon, I arrived at the Belgian border, Mouland. I was held here for about three hours, which made me arrive in the dark and with the last drops of gasoline in Liège. At the exit of the city, the endless climb began. There were tram tracks, one next to the other and covered in coal and patches of sand. Having to avoid them in the rain and without falling was quite nerve-wracking. Especially because it was pitch dark. But all the effort was forgotten when the colorful lights of Brussels appeared in the distance. It was 19:40, and driving after sunset in a foreign country with unknown traffic rules was not easy.”

THE LAST DAYS AND ARRIVAL

On the fifth day, Susanne arrived on time at the ferry, where she found a newspaper article with a photo of her taken at the start of her journey on board. She says how strange it was to see herself on the front page, and as soon as she landed in England, she was greeted by spectators and journalists. Motivated by the proximity of the goal, on the sixth day, without fear of the chaotic traffic in London, she faced the final challenge just a few kilometers from the finish line: the dreaded English fog. “As dense as a cotton ball, a white wall that hid even the cars, risking hitting them,” is how she describes it in her travel diary. However, Susanne Koerner arrived at her destination without incidents, safe and sound. She thus earned her place among the pioneers of motorcycling. Susanne’s goal, to reach the heart of the British motorcycle industry for the Christmas holidays, was supported by the Continental tire company and numerous automotive clubs.

Susanne’s motorcycle was a Dunelt model K Lightweight, a 250cc twin-cylinder, 2.49 hp. Dunelt Motorcycle was a British motorcycle company based in Sheffield. The company was founded in 1919 by two steel manufacturers and engineers, Dunford and Elliott. “Dunelt” is in fact a combination of their names. A Dunelt motorcycle was the first to cross the desert from Cairo to Siwa in 1924. And after succeeding with the model K in races, Dunelt also hoped to increase sales to female motorcyclists! And we’re talking about the 1920s! I would say that Susanne Koerner’s adventure unintentionally turned out to be great advertising for them.