Voni and Paul Glaves are some of the most well-known MOA riders in the USA.
They have logged more than 2 million miles between them both on their BMW’s.
Countless Ironbutt rides, years of BMW rallies, gatherings and being BMW motorcycle riding ambassadors are just a fraction of their storied accomplishments.
They have ridden all 50 states, around Europe, New Zealand, Mexico and 5 countries in South Africa.
Voni’s “Big Red” RS1100 is well known immediately whenever she goes by other BMW enthusiasts. Paul’s and his K75 flying bricks are right there in popularity, having logged over 900,000 miles himself. Voni started riding in Iowa on a Suzuki 125 2 stroke in the early 70’s.
She rode it around farmland over 100 miles in the grass and dirt before attempting to get her motorcycle license. That took two attempts and she never looked back after that. Paul started on a Sears 2 stroke and moved on to a Yamaha RD250 before starting the lifetime of riding BMW motorcycles. They both rode BMW F650’s early on and covered hundreds of thousands of miles traveling together.
Voni and Paul eventually moved to Lawrence KS where Paul soon began his relationship with Norman Jones and Engle Motors where he became a loyal customer and fan of the dealership. Paul told me several stories about the mutual bond and rapport he built with Engle Motors and still carries through the years. They were longtime members of the Kansas City BMW Motorcycle club.
Many members will have many memories of them and sharing club events. I have been with the club about three years and recently visited them on my annual trip to the Big Bend / Terlingua region and stopped by their “adobe” home near Big Bend National Park for a casual conversation. They moved to this region in 2006, after taking a motorhome trip to the area and having a chance encounter with an area woman in Alpine Texas which began with a conversation about motorcycles. They mentioned they were going to explore properties in the area, and she mentioned she had a home for sale 53 miles South of Alpine and the rest is history. They have called the adobe home since that encounter and have had thousands of BMW enthusiasts, clubs and riders visiting them over the years while still traveling all over themselves. Paul estimated that between individual riders and clubs average 150+ visitors a year!
Voni and Paul are involved in so many local Big Bend community activities.
Brewster county covers over 9000 square miles however its population is less than 10,000 residents. (Less than endzone seating at a Chiefs game) When they moved to the Big Bend region internet and information exchange was sparse. Voni became involved as an editor of “The Terlingua Moon” which is a local Big Bend area newsletter/blog with useful information regarding events, business, charity functions, local music schedules and much more. http://theterlinguamoon.blogspot.com/
With the population so spread-out information in the area moves slower with fewer sources to get the word out she does a fantastic job and service for residents in the area. Paul has been a lifeline for many traveling motorcyclists assisting with repairs, tire issues and advice. In an area where the closest dealer of any brand is about 4 hours away it is easy to become stranded without much hope, he has even helped a rider stranded with a cam chain tensioner issue in Mexico near the border. With all the border and immigration controversy there is a misconception regarding safety along the entire USA Mexican border which we discussed.
The Big Bend area has little activity compared to border areas in California, Arizona, New Mexico and South Texas. The area has little water, extremely rugged country, heat in the summer and little resources for illegal immigrants. I personally have been traveling yearly to this region yearly for over 25 years and have never encountered anyone who has had serious conflicts or issues. Voni and Paul live along a main highway (HWY 118) about 25 miles North of the national park and isolated as far as close neighbors. They have seen truly little serious issues with Illegals over the past 17 years of living in the desert. If you decide to travel there you need not feel threatened or intimidated by what is being reported in the general news media about the border in this area, it is a relatively safe area in comparison with other USA/Mexico border areas, so go across the Rio Grande to Boquillas and enjoy the experience!
They have also been involved with organizing the “Voices From Both Sides” yearly event where residents from USA and Mexico meet at the Rio Grande River and cross the river for comraderies, food, music and the opportunity to meet up with relatives they have not had contact with for a long time. A small festival which brings much happiness to the area. https://visitbigbend.com/voices-from-both-sides/
Voni and Paul will start spending their summers in Lawrence once again, in their former home and will look forward to seeing old friends in the Kansas City area when they are not traveling.
Thanks to Voni and Paul for taking the time for this visit. We look forward to seeing you in the Midwest again. https://www.globalwomenwhoride.com/motorcycling-legend-voni-glaves/
Google Voni & Paul for much more about their riding adventures!
