Santa Barbara resident Susan Fish will be inducted into the American Motorcycle Hall of Fame based on long and pioneering career as motocross racer (against male riders), Hollywood stunt rider, (in such films as The Terminator), and exhibition daredevil (with the likes of Evil Knevil.)
Fish — who raced under the monicker “The Flying Fish” — had to make her way in a male-dominated sport, racing against male athletes who desperately did not want to be beaten by a woman. She learned not only to adapt but to thrive. “I didn’t do it to be a pioneer,” she said. “I did it because I love to race; I’ve been known to race my lawn mower.”
After she retired from motocross racing, Fish — who moved to Santa Barbara in 1982 — took up racing bicycles, both road bikes and dirt bikes. She retired from racing altogether two years ago but remains active as a fitness trainer and mentor for women attempting to get into cycling.