Member of the Week: Michelle Strang
Written by: Jackie Riess
Michelle Strang is an off-road rider that competes in both hare scrambles and enduros. However, her path to racing is a bit unconventional compared to most. She began riding eight years ago, the year she turned 40, when her husband and son began riding. Not wanting to be left behind, she became a District 23 ARMCA member the following year when she competed in her first race. She claims she never would have imagined herself riding and racing dirt bikes ten years ago, but now she dreams of perfect, sunny days riding and camping with her family. She knows motorcycling is a rare activity they can all enjoy together.
She continues to be a part of District 23 ARMCA because of the friendship made along the way. She enjoys reconnecting with friends after a long winter and making memories throughout the summer. Inspired by other mothers who race, she finds motivation in their ability to rush back after their race to get their children ready to start theirs. This family-friendly environment is what keeps her coming back. However, it could also just be the maple donut or DQ Blizzard rewards to and from the track in her moto van!
In 2021, Michelle has two goals: learning to wheelie and finishing all the races she enters. She claims her greatest accomplishment was finishing the Akeley Enduro when her husband didn’t! She wants to continue finishing the enduro races, and believes this will lead her to wins in the Women’s 30+ class. In the future, Michelle strives to continue making family memories on dirt bikes and making new friends along the way. Michelle was once given the advice, “don’t think of it as a race, it’s just a long trail ride, so have fun!” She wants to share this advice with other riders, encouraging a focus on fun, respect, and “[helping] an old lady out when she’s fallen into a ravine.” Riding and racing is about the friendships made summer after summer, not about winning. “In 20 years, you’ll still have the friends you’ve made along the way, but you probably won’t remember winning a specific race.”
