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In loving memory Dotty “Gypsybyker” Bratcher
Dotty was a member of both Artemis and Moving Violations of Boston. She was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 1994, which had already spread to other parts of her body. This only slowed her down as she fought back with whatever treatment was available to her, both traditional and experimental.
In honor and in support of her, as soon as Artemis learned of the Pony Express Tour in 1996, the club found another way to lend its support to breast cancer awareness. She proudly wore the Pony Express medallion on legs of the 96 and 98 Tours, all the time not wanting attention drawn to herself but to support the effort to find a cure.
She once said, ‘Why stay home looking at reruns when a few hours later, you can be someplace new, seeing beauty in nature and maybe some adventure along the way’. Dotty could be found just about anywhere on her 650 Nighthawk and thought nothing of riding up to Boston for the weekend or riding out to Colorado to visit with her family.
Dotty truly exemplified what it means to “Live to Ride” and “Ride to Live.” She said that she wouldn’t stop riding until she died. Perhaps if she had found a way to rig an oxygen tank to the bike, she would have ridden that last month. She had been so proud of herself when she found a way to adapt her sidestand plate so she wouldn’t have to lift the bike up and she was thrilled with her Mobil gascard pass so she didn’t have to waste the time or energy in her day’s riding adventure.
She gave so many gifts to so many people. You didn’t have to be in her presence for long to be touched by her, whether it was hearing her cool down the hottest of disputes with her gentle voice or to watch her just smile while watching all the women riding in for a rally. She approached life, and death, with a sense of humor and openness. It was a very rare thing to hear her say anything negative about another; somehow she always seemed to find the best side.
Dotty you were and continue to be an inspiration to the motorcycling community. Your grace, courage and love of life will not be forgotten.
