September 2022 Newsletter
Contents
Welcome
Monthly Recap
Monthly Pictures
The New Members of 2022
Upcoming Events (2 months)
Members Birthday’s
Meet & Greet Update, (Portland, BC, & Seattle)
Club Business
Reader’s Corner
Day Rides
The latest news regarding rider skill enhancement classes
Officer Reports
The BRMC 2020 Calendar of Events
Non BRMC Motorcycle Events
Request for pictures & closing comments.
Welcome
Border Riders Motorcycle Club (BRMC) is an organized group of guys who like to ride and camp. Our membership spans the Pacific Northwest, with the greatest participation in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver B.C. We have one of the largest memberships for gay clubs in North America. We welcome like-minded guests to come meet us at our monthly Meet & Greets and/or one of our Day-Rides.
Check out our website. We are very proud of it. www.borderriders.com
August Recap: Squamish, Canada
This months recap authored by Tom C.
Oh, Canada! Finally, after several years of COVID it was time to make the trek to The Great White North. Good weather and it was a nice-size group (17 total) were the lures I needed to hop the ferry and ride The Five northbound.
The ArriveCan app is pretty straight-forward, once you get it set-up. In this process I learned I'd let my NEXUS lapse over COVID - I should have applied online and got an extensions, oops. The wait was about an hour and very uneventful. Muscle memory drew me into Vancouver via Oak Street, and I wanted to get a sense of the pulse of Vancouver and the West End. The Lions Gate Bridge was beautiful as always, and traffic was pretty light past North Vancouver. The Sea to Sky Highway was as beautiful as ever.
Squamish was much larger than I remembered, and very prosperous feeling. It really felt like an adventure to get off the highway, onto Squamish Valley Road, find the campground, and then get the tent set up. Lots of room, close to the surprisingly large Squamish River, but no running water and no showers available. The outhouses were close by, but hey, this is camping. Some of us did it old school with river bathing on Saturday afternoon before dinner..
It was great to see Ryan S and catch up on he and Mike's adventures (developing a campground at Birken, BC near Pemberton, & working remotely). We also visited with Canadian guests Brian C, & Mike W, from Campbell River. We met another Canadian biker on Saturday, Tim R from the Sunshine Coast. He rode in for the day on Saturday & then he rode to Whistler with Dale C. He also joined us for dinner before making his way home.
Saturday was very relaxing with some heading north to Whistler and beyond, some staying in camp and relaxing, while other played around & shopped Squamish. I found my myself at the Squamish airport after exploring some roads around Squamish, I watching a nearly-continual parade of Cessnas and helicopters go about their business of ferrying tourists around.
As Sunday normally goes, we all broke up for breakfast or various early starts the way we do. I enjoyed the ride down Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway (rides look and feel different from each direction) then made my way to Iain M’s house, where I meet up for late lunch with he, Doug H, and Keith A. It was great to see them, and catch up after almost three years apart.
The lack of a NEXUS card was painful on the return trip through the border, which had a two-hour wait (5-minutes or less for NEXUS). I was on the Edmonds-Kingston ferry back home just as the sun was setting.
All things considered, it was a fine trip, good company, good conversation, great scenery and a good way to ease back into crossing the border.
I’ll see you in a couple weeks in Goldendale, Washington!
August Group Photo
Monthly Gallery
Photos from members and guests from last month’s rides and adventures (or stolen from Facebook pages due to a lack of submissions).
August Meet & Greets
Portland M&G - Portland’s August M&G was hosted by Stan C & attended by Jeff B, Larry B, & Andrew G. We started with dinner at Tamale Boy on Dekum & rode to the M&G together. It was a small group with stories of traffic woes and beautiful rides..
BC M&G - We are still looking for a member in BC to take the lead on this. Please let Stan know if you are willing do this.
Seattle’s M&G - Seattle’s August M&G was hosted by Dale at Changes in Wallingford, one of Seattle’s oldest gay bars. It was attended by Dale and Dennis. We will continue to do the M&G’s at various places where it is cheaper to park than pay for dinner than like it is on the hill.
Upcoming Events
Please do not come to any club event if you are not feeling well.
September 3rd - Portland’s Day Ride.
Due to the lack of someone to lead, we have decided to cancel the Portland Day Ride.
. . . Watch for last minute details on our Face-Book page..
September 3rd - Seattle’s Day Ride.
Even though it is Labor Day Weekend, Seattle will do a day ride. By Saturday morning most travelers are where they need to be, and traffic is bearable. We will meet at 10am for breakfast at Hwy 2 Fusion Diner, 19721 US-2, Monroe, WA 98272. From there we will take back roads north and end up at Deception Pass, down Whidbey Island (ice cream in Coupeville ???) and back across the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry.
. . . Watch for last minute details on our Face-Book page..
September 7th - Portland’s Meet & Greet for September.
The M&G for September has been canceled. See you in October.
. . . Watch for last minute details on our Face-Book page..
September 16th - September 18th - The September Campout.
The September Campout will be at the Maryhill State Park outside Biggs Junction on the Washington side of the Columbia. This is the last campout of the year. To be considered for the High Mileage Award, you will need to attend and have your odometer reading recorded by Road Captain Dennis.
. . . Watch for last minute details on our Face-Book page..
September 21 - Seattle Meet and Greet
Dale is once again hosting the Seattle M&G. We're heading over to the Derby in the Seattle Industrial District. Many of you may know it as "The Shop" where the Cretins MC used to host "Backfire" before moving back north. It's 2233 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134 and they have some great cars and motorcycles in that place, so swing by if you get the chance. 6-8 PM.
October 1st - Team OR PMC #1 (This is the police rodeo class.)
BRMC & Team OR come together for part 1 of the most challenging class for the 2022 riding season. This is where we learn to ride that maze of cones mastering Tight Cornering & U-Turns.
. . . Watch for last minute details on our Face-Book page.
October 2nd - Team OR PMC #2 (This is the police rodeo class.)
BRMC & Team OR come together for part 2 of the most challenging class for the 2022 riding seasons. This is where we continue to learn to ride that maze of cones mastering Tight Cornering & U-Turns.
Following is a link to a quick video of what we are learning. police rodeo 2022
. . . Watch for last minute details on our Face-Book page.
Upcoming Birthdays
We have 2 member(s) with a birthday in September. Be sure and help us make them feel special.
September 5th - Kevin S
September 28th - Jeff B
Club Business
Board Nominations
As most of you are aware, board nomination are done at the October, November and December meetings with the elections held at the Annual General Membership meeting in January. Please give some thought as to your ability to serve your fellow club members by serving for a term on the board. Each board position is for a term of one year. For additional information about serving on the board, please contact the current board President.
Membership Nomination
Guests that are interested in becoming a BRMC member, must be sponsored & nominated for membership by a charter, active or disabled member. Interested guests are encouraged to ride with the club & be coached by said sponsor for a year before being nominated for membership. An interested guest should use this time to get to know the rules & culture of the club as well as the members who will be asked to vote on their membership.
Guests that are interested in becoming a BRMC member should reach out to a current club member and inquire about sponsorship. An interested guest may want to reach out to more than one member before deciding on a suitable sponsor.
A motion to nominate someone for membership must be made timely, at a club meeting, by the sponsor. The election for a new member will occur at an Annual General Membership meeting normally held in January.
For additional information about becoming a member or sponsoring a guest for membership, please contact the current board president.
By-Laws Update
We have established a new By-Laws Committee to investigate the idea of a new category for current members that are not required to ride. The intent for this new committee is to address the issue of valued members, who for personal reasons are thinking about, or have stopped riding yet want to continue to be an active, contributing member with all the same rights, privileges and responsibilities of any other active member.
This committee has come to their first cross road which we will discuss this at the September meeting.
This new committee is made up of Jeff B, Tom C, Richard A, & Blue B.
Reader’s Corner
A place for you, the reader, member and/or guest, to contribute.
Tell us about your travels, adventures, mishaps, etc.
To contribute, send your story & pictures to News@BorderRiders.com
Convergence Day Ride
By: Todd M
I have been trying to write this for a month now and I just can't seem to hit on it. I want to write something with a deeper meaning about friendship and camaraderie, but I just can't seem to get the words right. The ride is simple. A group of us rode out of Tacoma headed to Toledo, WA and a similar group rode out of Portland headed to the same destination. This allows us to meet up at a halfway point, hang out, catch up, communicate, & connect.
Both the Seattle Group & the Portland Group rode out of their perspective meeting locations on small roads bypassing all the major freeways. We used connector roads, highways and byways, to get to our destination. These are just two lane blacktop that connected small towns together before the freeways existed. They were the life blood of these communities. All those roads are still there, connecting those small towns. Riding them helps place the rider in the moment. The trees and streams, breathing in the scent of pine on a warm day, the meditative joy of a meandering road.
The focus becomes the ride, not the destination. A group of friends together in formation. Together in the love of riding. Together because this group has chosen to be together. To create a family... a brotherhood.
This should write itself! A club of dispersed members using connector roads to connect. This is dripping with symbolism and metaphor, so why is this so hard?
I think my problem is trying to encapsulate a moment in time where the only way to truly appreciate the experience is by being there. It becomes more of a feeling than a memory. I could list all the roads we went down, the road crossings that were a challenge, but it would never convey the feeling of being a part of something, at that moment, where the sum seems greater than the parts.
I seem to have Tom C's voice repeating in my head while writing this, though I am sadly unable to quote his exact words: These are the moments that make this club. The moments that build camaraderie and brotherhood. Without these moments, without these people, without this brotherhood, this club would not exist.
I'm sorry, but my words seem to have escaped me.
Out of Tacoma we had: members: Chris L, Ron S, Todd M, Tom C, Richard A, Dennis H, Dale C & guests: Jim K, Jin Y,
Out of Portland we had: members: Stan C, & Alan H & guests: Rudy V, & Larry B.
Lost Lake Campground in Oroville, Washington
By Don W
Riders came from all directions. A few took the scenic North Cascades route. A Canadian member and guest came across lower BC and down Highway 97. Our Oregon members came further inland and then up Highway 97. Some of our Settle members came across I90. Friday was a pretty warm day on the East side of the Cascades with temperatures (Fahrenheit) hitting 90 in Twisp and 93 in Omak. A group of 6 met in Tonasket around 3:00 PM and headed west the remainder of the trip to camp with a few others leaving at 3:30. The only incident reported was one lost bag from our guest Lance somewhere between Greenwood neighborhood in Seattle and Marblemount area.
The campsite was 11.5 miles off Highway 20 East of Tonasket, past Bonaparte Lake. Part of the road had recently been covered from a recent river overrun and related slides but had been cleared and cleaned already. The first 9 miles was decent county-maintained roads. The last third was a bit bumpier on National Forest Service Maintained roads narrowing to a wide single lane with bumps, lots of potholes, center and side gravel, cattle grates, and cows.
The group site at the campground was easily accessible as we entered and close to the lake and its main swimming area. The group side had lots of picnic benches, edged tent camping spots, a main firepit with sturdy fixed wood benches. A vault toilet was a 20 second walk away. Luckily the temperature was a good 15 to 20 degrees cooler. Dennis drove the support vehicle and brough firewood, water, ice, snacks, and a trash bag.
As we arrived, we setup our tents and bedding. Don took a 3-hour off-road adventure to visit a friend 30 miles away. Upon returning, he took quick dip in the lake to rinse off the day’s sweat from the 90+ degree weather in the Omak area and dusty back roads. Folks chatted and some made dinner that they had brought to camp. Some banter about whether we should have our business meeting on Saturday before or after dinner. At this Point we had Dave J, Stan C, Ron S, Dennis H, Dale C, Justin W, Todd M, Bill L, and guests Lance D , Andrew G, and Phil R.
On Saturday most of us headed to Bonaparte Lake Resort for a good breakfast. Although a small kitchen and limited staff, they were still able to provide a tasty breakfast with just a little bit of slower service, but understandable. We decided that it was closer and better food, so we chose to move our dinner plans from Chesaw to the resort. The fact that they had prime rib dinner option helped in the switch. There was some more discussion on whether to have the business meeting before or after dinner.
After breakfast, Justin and Bill took a backcountry route as a day ride. A few folks headed back to camp to relax. Don led the main group (Dave, Todd, Lance, Andrew, and Phil R on a loop from our breakfast stop to the ghost town of Bodie, then north through Toroda, Curlew, the backside of Curlew Lake, a stop in Republic, and then back West along Highway 20 to the Bonaparte Lake exit, and back north to camp. It was about 90 miles and 3 hours in all with a stop in Republic where the group split for some clothes shopping, grabbing a cold drink, and museum visit.
With most back at camp, a handful of the group decided to enjoy the sunny weather and go swimming while some napped and others just relaxed at camp. The beach was crowded with a bunch of other campers in the campground. Luckily there was plenty of room on shore and in the water. The water was cool at first, but not too cold to get in and enjoy. It was enjoyable once acclimated. Dave brought hist camp chair in the shallows to enjoy both shore relaxation with water until the sandy bottom decided the legs of his chair were no match and he sank to one side into the water.
Everyone got back to camp to continue discussing if we should have the business meeting before dinner or after. We realized that we still had 2 people out of camp, so after dinner it was by default. After some more rest and chatting, we were getting ready for our trip to dinner when Ryan S arrived. He took 2 days and did some back roads and forest camping on his journey to the campout.
Dinner was quicker than breakfast. They had a good menu and faster service. 80% of the group even had desserts. After dinner, we ventured back to camp to have our business meeting. We had the usual roll call, officers’ reports, and a few new exciting ideas in the historian’s area. Once concluded, we went back to camping mode with fire and various conversations in each corner of the main camp area. Ryan jumped in the lake to rinse of from his long day.
Sunday morning we chatted and packed up camp. Although most of us left early, it was at a slow and casual pace with the full round of “Good Byes” from and to each other. Most tried to leave early enough to avoid the higher heat that we felt on our trip in 2 days earlier. Don took an awesome 30-minute 360-degree video on the North Cascades Highway West bound starting just before Washington Pass all the way down to Ross Lake. It can be found on YouTube here.
Just around the corner
By Todd M
Overture
6am on a Tuesday: I am laying on a cot in Stan and Alan’s basement listening to the morning symphony. The muffled voices, the creek of floor joists, the footsteps. 48 hours ago I was waking up to the muffled beat of my own home. My husband breathing, my dog's footsteps, the sounds of my life that are familiar as a favorite song. On this morning the the sound and rhythm are different. They are not my sounds. I open my eyes.
Syncopated rhythm
Sunday: I pulled in the clutch, brought up the kickstand. The bike started with its low British rumble that feels of emotional churn thinly hidden beneath a polite exterior. I was ready for the hours long journey to Oregon City. I kicked the transmission down to first and felt the bike pull. I kicked it back to neutral, then first again… same.
The bike in neutral I adjusted the clutch cable. a little too much one way, not enough the other, I got it to a functional place. It’s a new cable and that had stretched over it’s last 2000 miles. I waved to my husband and dog who were standing in the living room window, the cat was nowhere to be seen. My husband mouthed ‘Are you OK?’ I gave him a thumbs up sign and blew him a kiss. He reciprocated and I rode off.
I arrived at Dale C’s place unhappy with my clutch position. The engagement point felt too close to the terminus. I readjusted while Dale locked up his house. We headed south. We stopped for fuel and I adjusted again. Trying to get it to the point of perfect. We continued south. We pulled in to Stan and Alan’s place a little after 10:30. We had made good time and we’re planning on getting some lunch and heading over to practice slow maneuvers in a parking lot.
In the parking lot Stan placed tennis balls that Bill and Buck had cut in half. An inexpensive alternative to orange cones. We took a couple tours around the course and decided it needed to be more of a challenge. This decision eventually evolved in to a snowman pattern. A sequence of three descending radius circles that start at 28 feet and end at 20. I went through a couple of times as I enjoy the challenge. The last time through I dropped my bike. Nothing big, it’s been dropped before, it will be dropped again. I like to think of it as getting my money’s worth.
I picked my bike up, someone helped. But I’m not sure who. The bar end mirror was bent over the handlebar making it impossible to fit my hand around the grip. I pushed the bike off to the side and Buck pulled out his tool set. This is the second time I have been out for a ride and did not have my tools at hand when I needed them. I need to make a note of this. I removed the mirror. The clutch lever was bent, but still functioned.
I needed new mirrors. To take a Team Oregon class your motorcycle needs to be street legal. A single mirror is not legal so I went to Cycle Gear to procure a new set. Rudy V. said he knew where the shop was and he would lead me there. The bike felt strange with a bent clutch lever and a missing mirror.
I got to the shop. Rudy waved and rode off. I grabbed my tank bag and went in to Cycle Gear. The store was cool and smelled of plastics. The man behind the counter was friendly and asked what I was looking for. I said 'Bar end mirrors'. He said 'Back there', while gesturing toward multiple rows of motorcycle parts hanging on pegs.
I picked out a set of mirrors and headed back to Stan and Alan's. When I arrived, Alan provided tools and I quickly began replacing my mirrors. After installation I was pleased enough with their look. They ad a more modern feel to the cockpit and I don't fully hate them.
I got on the bike and pulled in the clutch and brake levers to make sure clearance wasn't an issue. I became surprised when the clutch lever suddenly broke. I had ridden my bike 20 some odd miles on a bent clutch lever without incident. The clutch lever broke while sitting, not running. My motorcycle has done everything I have ever asked of it. It is the best motorcycle I have ever owned. I have taken it off road without protest. I have taken it on the sandy beaches of Washington State without being stranded, I have scraped it's pegs white cornering, and now I can add a new one to the list. It didn't leave me stranded on the side of a freeway with a broken clutch lever.
I fully understand it is nothing more than a machine. It is plastic, steal, aluminum, paint, gas, oil, and spark plugs, but sometimes... times like this I think it has to be more. I feel a connection of a symbiotic relationship. I give my bike care and attention. I give it oil and gas. I oil it's chain and wax it's paint. I wash it after every trip and I keep a routine maintenance schedule. In return, it has granted me the honor of never protesting when pushed farther than other motorcycles and there are times, like this, where it feels as if it held that clutch lever together until I was safe... until we were safe.
Attacca
This broken leaver created a frenzy of solutions. The goal was to get me back on the road for the classes taking place the next day. Can we get a new one, no Triumph is closed until Tuesday, can we weld this one, no it's pot metal aluminum, can we drill and tap the pieces together, there's not enough meat left to hold... After a time, Dale and I needed to check in to the hotel so Bill L. generously lent me his GS and I followed Dale. We checked in, dropped off our bags, and headed back.
At the house I parked Bill's bike and Stan was holding a phone up to me. I was quickly roped into a conversation. Yes, they have the lever. No I can't pick it up tonight. Yes, they will set it aside until morning. Cycle gear comes through again. A new plan is hatched. I will drive Alan's truck to Cycle Gear (no not the one I went to, the other one) and pick up the clutch lever in the morning. I would install it and be available for the second class.
Scherzo
Monday: I sat in Alan's pickup as the others rode off to the Cornering Clinic. This is the class I was looking forward to over the past year. It is the class that makes me a better rider. It's the class that is the most fun. I inserted the key in to the ignition, twisted it forward, and nothing. No sound of an idling engine. I shut it off and turned it again. Clutch in? Check. Break on? Check. Neutral? Yup. A red box showing a graphic of a battery came up on the screen. "Check Ignition" it said. The idiot light for the modern age. At this point I did what any IT professional would recommend. I turned it off and turned it back on again. I did this a couple of times and the truck roared to life. I punched the address in to the GPS and drove off.
I arrived at Cycle Gear two hours before opening. I didn't have anywhere else to go. I sat in the parking lot, drinking 7-11 coffee, watching Portland come to life. After a time a man in his late 20's rode up on a vintage Raleigh 10 speed. It was red with chrome lugs. The bike was beautiful and the irony of the proprietor of a motorcycle shop riding a bicycle wasn't lost on me. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. A look that communicated he was not ready to deal with a customer. I respected that look. I had it myself many times when I was his age.
30 minuets later he opened the doors. I walked in and he hadn't gotten far from the door. He asked 'Can I help you' and I said 'Yes'.
'I'm here to pick up a clutch lever for a 2018 Triumph Thruxton. It should have been set aside'
'What's your name?'
'Todd'
'Here you go'
He tossed a package on the counter. I picked it up and examined it. It was a clutch lever, but for a late 70's Kawasaki dirt bike.
'That's not it'
'It has your name on it'
'Mine should be for a 2018 Triumph. I spoke to some guy last night'
'That guy's an idiot'
We agreed.
The proprietor checked in the system and said they only sell levers that fit Triumphs up to 2014. They didn't have any of those in the shop. He apologized as I walked out and got in to the truck that wouldn't start. On/Off... On/Off... On/Off... A bad night of sleep and even worse, a bad cup of coffee coupled with the previous day's stress and dehydration started taking it's tole. My head began to hurt. On/Off... On/Off... Vroom! I was on my way back to Stan and Alan's house.
I washed my face and took some ibuprofen from my bag. I downed it with a full glass of water and fell asleep in the sofa in the basement. I was awoken by the sound of Alan's footsteps upstairs. My headache was still there.
Crescendo
Tuesday, 10am: I pull Stan's Super Ténéré into the parking lot of the Triumph dealer in Portland. They have just opened and the guy at the service desk says 'Let me guess... you need a new front tire for your dual sport' I have no idea why he asked this, I'm guessing it's a common request. 'No' I said 'I need a clutch lever for a 2018 Triumph Thruxton' He suddenly seemed more interested.
'Oh, hold on, let me check if we have them in stock... yes, we do.'
After selling me the clutch lever, we had a brief discussion about the new Speed Tripple. It is a beautiful bike and I said as much.
He asks:
'What color's the your Thruxton?'
'Red'
'Oh! We would give you a LOT on a trade in for a red Thruxton... More than you think'
'No, I'm good'
'You should at least take it for a test ride'
'No, we're not walking down that path... I know where this leads'
'You, riding home, happy on your new motorcycle'
'Yes, like I said... I know where this leads'
I rode back to Stan and Alan's for one last time. The clutch lever took 3 minuets to install and adjust. I pulled my bike out of the garage, packed my bag on the bike, and rode home.
Coda
I entered the basement, unheard, through the back door. The house was quiet. I heard my husband upstairs and saw the cat peer around the corner at the top of the stairs. I made a noise and a sudden a fury of paws ran above me and the cat bolted from the landing. A blur of dog flew down the stairs, yelling her excitement. My husband followed. He smiled and I gave him a kiss as the dog chaotically darted and jumped. I was home.
August Day Rides
BC’s Day Ride
There was no BC day-ride in July
Seattle’s Day Ride
Seattle had a big contingent that met in Tacoma for pastries, then led by Todd via the backroads to Toledo to meet up with the SMALL Portland group. See below for the Seattle group leaving Tacoma.
Portland’s Day Ride
Alan, Rudy, Larry & Stan meet up for breakfast at Bernstein Bagels near downtown Portland. From there we took a leisure pace on the backroads to Toledo WA where we meet up with and had lunch with the guys from Seattle. We then filled up with gas and headed to the top of Mt Saint Helens. It was a wonderful day and much fun was had by the Portland group.
Gear Store
The Gear Store is closed until the 2023 Banquet. We are taking this opportunity to seek new items to spruce up the gear store. If you know of any gear we once had that you’d like to see us bring back, or new items you’d like to see us make available, contact our VP. Chris would love some suggestions.
2022 September Campout
The Details
220 miles from Seattle, an easy 105 miles from Portland, Maryhill State Park is our last camping trip of the year,. Register Today!
Stonehenge Nearby
Great ride through the canyon
2022 Advanced Motorcycle Training
BRMC & Team OR took to the Go-Cart Track of Pat’s Acres to refined our cornering skills in preparation for those much beloved twisties. The twisties where you can’t stop giggling or yahooing between the “Oh Shits” & the “Look where you want to go” self coaching moments.
We improved our late entries & lane positioning to align multiple corners and reduce mid-corner corrections. The entry dictates the exit so figure out where you want to exit a corner by knowing where you want to enter the next corner and get that pre-1st corner entry position correct. Can I sweep or do I corner hard? Add in various speeds, various braking techniques, proper acceleration, proper body positioning, & you’ll start to ride like well skilled biker. It’s like a game of dominoes only a heck of a lot more fun.
The last classes for the year will be on October 1st & 2nd. If you are in the Portland area that weekend, feel free to stop by and cheer us on as we master the various challenges of “The Motorcycle Rodeo”.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the 2022 or 2023 Motorcycle Advanced Training Program, contact Stan at President@BorderRiders.com
If you aren’t sure which class is right for you, Contact Stan for this too as he has taken almost all their classes and can help you decide which class is right for you.
From the Handlebars of the President
As you all know from reading last months newsletter, I am ending August with my 60th birthday motorcycle ride. As I write this part, I am sitting in my hotel room in Phoenix. I am hopeful that this will lessen the amount of time needed to wrap up this newsletter when I get home on the 31st.
I apologize in advance if the newsletter is late this month. It’s all on me but sometimes life happens. This time, it is happening somewhere in UT & AZ. I will try put together a short blurb for the readers corner in the October Newsletter.
September is a very full month as well so I am not sure if I will be able to make it to the September campout. If not, your VP Chris will be there and he will make sure everything goes smoothly.
Until we meet again, ride safe & ride often.
Vice President Chatter
As you read this I will be working my magic & strutting my stuff around the Burning-Man Playa.
I’ll see you all at the September Campout.
Meanwhile, I hope everyone stays safe and are enjoying the summer.
Road Captain Rumblings
The August campsite wasn’t a great site as very primitive and no running water (if you don’t count the river), but basically what was available given the BC Provencal Parks still being closed to group camping. Everyone ended up with dusty bikes from the dirt road into the site. but overall the space worked out well.
Maryhill in September will have showers and running water, pavement and food close by. Great riding in the area with Klickitat Canyon and many things to see in the area such as the Goldendale Observatory and the Stonehenge replica.
Coming back from BC I was pondering the idea that we should change our weekends from Friday to Sunday to Saturday to Monday. There are many areas such as the border, Highway 2 in Sultan, I-90 near Cle Elum, I-5 near Marysville that are burdensome on a motorcycle on a Sunday return to home. I’d like to add that to our discussions around the campfire (if we have one) in September.
Hope to see you all in September for the last weekend trip of the year.
Treasurer’s Ramblings
Stan & I put together a mid-year review of all our accounting. You can find that in the “Members Only” section of our website. Feel free to contact Stan or I if you have any questions about this report.
All the bills I am aware of have been paid. We have 1 receivable to be collected from a member for a Gear Store purchase of a $35 pride flag. Otherwise, all our accounts are balanced, and are where I expect them to be. Briefly stated, “Piggy Bank Be Balanced”.
Please feel encouraged to reach out to me if you have any questions. Otherwise, stay safe, stay healthy and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Secretary Thoughts
Oh boy, does life ever slow down?
Not much to report for the September newsletter. The August Meeting Minutes have been posted. Be ready to vote to approve them, or not, at the September campout.
I hope to see you all real soon.
2022 Calendar of Events
September Meeting 16th - 18th, Campout at Maryhill SP near Biggs Junction.
October 1st & 2nd - Team OR Precision Maneuvering Clinic #1 & #2.
October 15th - Club Meeting - Hosted by Jeremy W. near Kent, WA
November 19th - Club Meeting - Hosted by Dave J near Molalla, OR.
December 10th - Club Holiday Party - Hosted by Chris & Richard near Burlington, WA
2023 Calendar of Events
January 21st - AGM in Seattle, WA - Location YTBD
February 18th - Banquet in Portland, OR - Location YTBD
March 18th - Club Meeting, we are looking for a host.
April 15th - Club Meeting, we are looking for a host.
May 19th thru 21st - Victoria Day Campout at Pine Flats near Entiat, WA
June 16th thru 18th - June Campout - Location YTBD
July 14th thru 16th - July Campout - Location YTBD
Days may be added
August 18th thru 20th - August Campout - Location YTBD
September 9th thru 11th - Team OR & BRMC Advance Training Weekend
Saturday afternoon will be the PMC 1 (Police Rodeo part 1)
Sunday morning will be the PMC 2 (Police Rodeo part 2)
Monday morning will be the Cornering Clinic (Go-Cart Track)
Monday afternoon will be the Highway Braking Clinic (Race Track)
September 15th thru 17th - September Campout - Location YTBD
Days may be added
October 21st - Club Meeting - we are looking for a host.
November 18th - Club Meeting - we are looking for a host.
December 9th - Holiday Party - we are looking for a host.
Monthly Meet & Greets
BRMC members will be available for interested individuals to meet and learn more about the club and how to get involved. For locations and times, check out the following list of times & location. Watch our FB for last minutes details pr changes.
Portland: Meet & Greet - 1st Wednesday of the month, 7 pm at The Portland Eagle.
Vancouver BC Meet & Greet (tentative - Watch FB) - 2nd Wednesday of the month. 4 to 6 pm at The Met Hotel, New Westminster. (Canceled until further notice.)
Seattle: Meet & Greet - 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7 pm at someplace The Cuff or On-The-Road someplace new. Watch the newsletter, website or Facebook for exact location.
Member & Guest Day-Rides
In addition to the club's monthly M&Gs, local rides frequently happen on the 1st Saturday of every month. Additionally, members & guest going on an impromptu day-ride, or to some other activity, will post their plans on our FB page so others can tag along. Again, watch our FB page for last minutes details or changes.
To learn more about local event’s, impromptu events, or to check status on any event, check out our FB page or email the Road Captain at Captain@BorderRiders.com.
Hey, did you notice that trend? Yep, keep an eye on our FB page for last minute changes and details for all events.
Non-BRMC Motorcycle Events
If you know of anything that we might want to post here, please let is know at News@BorderRiders.com
Contributions of Photos & Stories
Please feel encouraged to send us your photo’s of our activities to News@BorderRiders.com
Also, if you do anything interesting outside the club, we’d love to hear about it. Send us a short story with some photo’s and we will try get it into the next newsletter. It doesn’t have to be motorcycle related to be interesting. We are very diverse.
If you have photos and stories to share, please send to news@borderriders.com