Who are the Border Riders?

We are a group of gay men in the Pacific Northwest who enjoy motorcycling and camping.

Where are the Border Riders from?

We have a presence in (1) Seattle, Washington, (2) Portland Oregon, and (3) Vancouver, British Columbia. Our members live throughout the Pacific Northwest. There’s a Border Rider near you.

 

Do you have to have a motorcycle to be a Border Rider?

To become a member, you need to own a motorcycle capable of sustained highway speeds, a valid motorcycle license, and current insurance.

Can non-members participate?

Yes, definitely. Non-members can come on our day runs and to our weekend runs. The runs are motorcycle-only events, so you must come on a bike. The exceptions, when all vehicles are welcome, are (1) our famous Victoria Day Run and (2) the October weekend run.

What is the VD Run?

"VD" stands for "Victoria Day," also known as the "Queen’s Birthday," which is a three-day weekend in Canada. The Victoria Day Weekend Run is to eastern Washington near Wenatchee, when the Border Riders welcome everyone to an inclusive weekend of camping, riding, and fun nestled in a wooded glade in the mountains. This run is our chance to show our hospitality to all our friends in the Pacific Northwest.

I'd love to try the camping thing, but my Ninja ZX6-RR doesn’t have tie-downs, let alone a luggage rack. How could I come?

On many of our runs we have a support vehicle that can transport tents, bedrolls, and the like. The only caveat is we are unable to transport personal effects across the Canada-U.S. border for security reasons. Some runs we provide food and beverages (like our Victoria Day Weekend Run) and others we eat in restaurants. Send us an e-mail or talk to a member to find out the details on a specific run.

Isn't the Border Riders a sex club?

We're a motorcycle camping club of gay men. We're not a sex club. There have been some reports of an occasional romance and our membership includes couples and singles. Our members are all ages and body types; there is no attitude about attractiveness of you or your bike. If you love to ride, you are welcome.

Can I bring a buddy along on a day run or a weekend run?

If your buddy can ride on the passenger seat or in a sidecar (hey, none of our members has a sidecar, so you could be first), he is welcome.

I like riding, but I don't like camping. Are the Border Riders for me?

Every month in the warmer months in Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland we have Sunday Day Runs. These runs are a great way to get to know the Border Riders in your city. We don't camp on the day runs. For our monthly weekend camping runs, some members prefer to stay in nearby motels rather than camp in the great outdoors. The choice is yours.

I love to ride fast. You guys ride like grannies, don't you?

Generally in group riding, we follow the posted speed limits. But many of our members enjoy going fast through the incredible roads we have in this part of the world. Often on our runs we will divide into groups of differing riding styles. When we ride in groups, we try to keep each group to five or six bikes, so we might have several groups on a day run. Because our members and guests come from all over, very often they will ride by themselves or in groups of their own choosing to the weekend runs. The Border Riders accommodates a wide variety of riding styles.

I've got a sport bike. You guys all ride cruisers?

All bikes capable of sustained highway speeds are welcome at the Border Riders. Most of our members ride American or Japanese cruisers but some members have European or Japanese sport bikes. Several of our members have touring motorcycles.

How about my Vespa? I'm thinking of getting a Burgman. Can I come on a run with you guys?

If your motorcycle can maintain sustained highway speeds, you can ride with us. But, come to one of our meet and greets anyway, and we can talk.

What is your official club charity? Do you do fundraising?

Many of our members participate in volunteer work and are involved in fundraising for a variety of important causes. The Border Riders participates in Toy Runs and Rides for Sight in a number of communities. But, we are a motorcycle club, not a philanthropic or benevolent organization. We do what we do best, which is motorcycling and camping.

Aren't the Border Riders a bunch of old men?

We have members from their late twenties to, um, their early eighties. Our members come from all over North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The median length of time someone has been a member is eight years. Our turnover is low and our members love the club or they wouldn’t stick around.

How long has the Border Riders been around?

We are very proud that we are one of the longest standing gay motorcycle clubs. We were founded in 1969 by a group of American and Canadian men who wanted to ride together. We are exceptionally proud that three of those founding members are still with the club today.

Isn't the Border Riders a front for a leather club?

Leather offers the best protection from injury to motorcyclists. Most of our members have a fine collection of leather gear and boots. But, we are a riding club, not a leather club. When it rains, we will wear fluorescent outerwear over our leathers. It's about riding.

I saw you guys in a bar many years ago and I thought it was a drinking club. Is it?

In our early years, many members enjoyed a tipple or two. But times have changed and given the club’s emphasis on motorcycling, we don't drink and ride. What you do after a day of riding is your business, but being intoxicated while riding is the club's business and it is not acceptable because of the risk to the individual and to others. We do have meet and greets at local pubs every month and expect members and guests to comply with drinking and driving laws.

What about drugs?

Given that all of our weekend runs involve crossing the Canada-U.S. Border for some members, we remind members and guests that international transportation of illicit drugs is a serious crime. We do not condone the use of drugs at any Border Riders event.

How do I become a Border Rider?

Show up at a day run with a full tank of gas and a willingness to spend a day riding with others. If you have fun, come to a weekend run. If you're still having fun, ride with us for a season. By then, you'll know whether we’re right for you.

What's this I hear about secret initiation rites?

If we told you, then it wouldn’t be a secret, would it? Suffice to say, the inductees are all smiling.

Is it expensive to be a member?

It's expensive to ride a motorcycle. Our dues are very modest and our run fees are based on cost. Our members come from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

How do I find out more about the Border Riders?

Why not look our monthly newsletter, BRMC News, from our website. Come join us on our weekend runs. Look at our calendar of events. Come to one of our meet and greets.

Come ride with us.

Copyright Border Riders Motorcycle Club The Border Riders Motorcycle Club provides social and educational opportunities for members and other gay men interested in recreational motorcycle touring. The club promotes motorcycle safety and education, on safe and legal machinery, following all applicable laws and regulations.
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