| March 5, 2024
Edward Anthony Hertfelder, who for more than 50 years regaled motorcyclists with his hilarious exploits of riding—well, crashing and finding new ways to get off the pace—in enduros and other dirt-racing events died in late February 2024, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Ed was 95.
Written by Todd R. WeissHertfelder, who took great pride in describing himself as the “World’s Worst Dirt Rider,” was the author of the famous “The Duct Tapes” monthly columns in motorcycle magazines including Cycle, Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider, Trail Rider, Cycle Sport, The East Coast Enduro Association News, Cycle News, Motocross News and more.
Many of Ed’s columns were later published in five books in the Duct Tapes series that are collector’s items today. The volumes include “Duct Tapes 80,” “Reset to 80.1,” “80.2 Change to 27 MPH,” “80.3 Gas Available,” and his final book, “80.4 Finish Check.
Legendary motorcycle author Ed Hertfelder passed away at the age of 95.
Hertfelder wrote from the heart about his comical adventures on two wheels, describing his crashes, strategies, mechanical roadside repairs and debacles, adventures with errant racing officials, bad-weather tales, his Bultaco Matador and other dirt-bike models and their quirks, all with a humor that makes it difficult to read his writing in bed late at night without waking your spouse due to your loud laughter and snorting.
Ed was a truly beloved writer and he met so many friends and fans along the way over five decades, his family said. He was invited to speak as the Master of Ceremonies at countless motorcycle events around the world. In another honor, one of his dirt bikes is on display at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Columbus, Ohio.
A memorial for Ed Hertfelder will be held in New Jersey at a date that will be announced later.
Donations in his memory can be made to fishtownplayschool.org, or weathervanemusic.org, two non-profit organizations that involve two of his grandchildren in Ed’s hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Hertfelder’s iconic cartoon trademark.
One of Ed’s best-known and beloved columns, “Unaware in Delaware,” which was published in the February 1974 issue of Cycle Magazine, inspired me to contact Ed’s family one year ago to share my love for his work.
Immediately after hearing from Ed’s daughter about his recent death, I told a friend of mine in Madison, Wisconsin, who is another major Ed Hertfelder fan, that Ed was gone.
My friend texted me back with words that are poignant and perfect: “I frequently thought of heaven as meeting up with Steve McQueen and Malcolm Smith and going dirt riding together,” my friend wrote. “Perhaps Ed is finally finishing in the top three at his favorite enduro.”
Fans and friends are invited to share their Ed stories and tributes with his family and friends at this link created by the funeral home that is handling his memorial.
