Who We Are!
In case you were wondering, The Border Riders Motorcycle Club “BRMC” is a not-for-profit 501(c)(7), designed for gay men who like to ride motorcycles & who like to go camping on their motorcycles. Our membership spans the Pacific Northwest with the greatest participation in the Portland, Seattle, & Vancouver B.C. areas. We are one of the largest, & longest running gay motorcycle clubs in North America. We welcome like-minded guests to come meet us at our Meet & Greets, on our Day-Rides & with a Sponsoring BRMC Member, to our monthly meetings.
Table of Contents
All the news you need to know about the BRMC
July Camping Recap : By Ron S.
Photos : By Tom C. and Dave J.
August Meet & Greets: Portland, BC, & Seattle, we see you, come see us!
Plus
Members’ Birthdays
The BRMC 2024 Calendar of Events
Non BRMC Motorcycle Events
Request for Pictures & Closing Comments
July 2024 Bruceport Campout
BRMC Campfire Photo July 2024
By Ron S.
The July campout, aka “Tour of the Hungry Heifer” was seaside at Bruceport County Park near South Bend, WA.
After meeting and setting up camp, Friday dinner was at Willapa Brewing Co. in South Bend.
On Saturday morning part of the group breakfasted at the Hungry Heifer while the more eager class attendees headed toward Astoria.
Those not attending the training class went on a tour of Tokeland and Westport, taking in all of the north side of Willapa Bay and the south Grays Harbor Bar. Westport was hopping with lots of tourists and a wine festival.
Exhausted and sun-drenched training class attendees returned from Astoria right on time, where everyone reunited for dinner and then returned to camp for a late fireside club meeting. Shout out to the Hungry Heifer Diner in Raymond for hosting many group meals including our Saturday dinner after closing time. The prime rib was tasty!
Sunday morning brought a couple of hours of drizzle that ended at 8:30. After a partial-group breakfast at The Heif (The Hun? The Hun-Heif? One loves to abbreviate) everyone departed for class and/or home.
BRMC Group Photo July 2024
July Photos
August 2024 Day Ride
Saturday August 3rd is the annual Convergence Day Ride, this year we’re going to Ocean Shores Pride.
From the north, meet at 9am for breakfast at Dirty Oscar’s Annex, 2309 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403.
From the south, email Captain@borderriders.com for meetup details.
Groups will meet after noon at Chance a la Mer State Park, just south of 707 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA 98569. Note the road closure on Hwy 109 west of Hoquiam, detour via Hwy 101 and Ocean Beach Rd instead.
August 2024 Bonaparte Lake Campout
Some like it hot, so this month we’re going to Bonaparte Lake Campground in Colville National Forest, Okanogan County, Washington. The campground is much higher in elevation than the Okanogan River Valley so it’s more comfortable midday than the bustling metropolis of Tonasket, and there’s a lake to cool off in. Mark your calendar for August 16-18 and register now!
This ride is a stretch, leave early and bring your summer gear.
August Meet & Greets
Portland M&G
On Wednesday, August 7th, Portland area BRMC Members & guests will meet for dinner at 5:30 at Kenton Station (8303 N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217). We will then go to the Portland Eagle (835 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217) for a social hour starting at 7pm.
This is a great way to meet some club members, learn about the club, upcoming rides, and events.
We hope to see you there.
BC M&G
We are still looking for a member in BC to take the lead on this. Please let Dennis know if you are able do this.
Seattle M&G
This month’s Seattle area Meet and Greet is on Wednesday August 14th at The Lumber Yard in White Center, 9630 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106. Dinner if desired at 6pm, Meet and Greet officially starts at 7pm.
BRMC’s 2024 Advanced Motorcycle Skills Classes.
The Team Oregon Road Riding Tactics and
the Highway Speed Advanced Braking Clinic.
Plus, a quick mention about 2025 classes.
We sold out of both the Road Riding Tactics Class “RRT” and the Highway Speed Braking Clinic “HSBC”.
The RRT was a wonderful review of the skills we use every time we get on the bike. Slow speed turns, U-turns, proper intersection techniques, & emergency braking to name a few.
I noticed improvements with everyone there and the skill level of a couple attendees told me they were practicing outside these classes. You can take all the classes you want but if you don’t practice on your own or with someone, you will never become as skilled as you could be. So, to those whom I am speaking of, thank you for continuing to advance your riding skills not only in these classes but also on your own. Your dedication shows.
The HSBC was the much anticipated class by all. What a fun fun fun class that was. I discovered braking ability I didn’t know my bike possessed. It was a quick 2.5 hour class but I learned so much. I think everyone who attended this class walked away a much better rider.
I want to say thank you to all those who have taken these classes over the years & I hope to see your participation continue.
If you have a specific class you would like to see the club offer in 2025, please let me know ASAP and I will see what I can do. Team OR & I are currently negotiating the 2025 schedule. I am considering the Road Riding Tactics, the Advanced Braking Clinic, the High Speed Braking Clinic. the Precision Maneuvering Clinic 1 & 2, & the Cornering Clinic.
If you have any questions about these classes or other motorcycle training, please contact Stan C at Treasurer@BorderRiders.com.
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
Keep in mind, you can write about a trip that happened over the summer. It’s doesn’t have to be something you did last month.
Group Riding Hand Signals
Courtesy of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, here are common hand signals for group riding:
Gear Store
The Gear Store was open Victoria Day Weekend. The next time the gear store is open is the banquet next February. Reach out to VP Lance if there is something you want to make sure will be available so he can order it in for you.
From the Handlebars of the President
It was great having a large attendance at the July Run at Bruceport. The club’s first exposure to Bruceport was a convergence ride with Seattle and Portland during Covid where everyone brought their own lunch and we were able to socially distance. During Covid we weren’t able to eat our meals out as we traditionally did and some meals in camp have continued since. Big thanks to the Hungry Heifer in Raymond for staying open late on Saturday to accommodate our schedule and use their large room for our dinner.
From our bylaws: “Section 1. Purpose The Border Riders Motorcycle Club provides social and educational opportunities for members and other gay men interested in recreational motorcycle touring.” Thanks to Stan C.’s tremendous efforts in recent years and in conjunction with Team Oregon we have been able to fulfill the educational part of our purpose. This past month there were 2 classes that coincided with our weekend trip and as usual provided skills refresher and advancement for those that did the classes.
I know it is a long trip to Lake Bonaparte for the August Run, but the riding in the area is definitely worth the effort. Hope to see many of you there.
Dennis H.
2024 President
Vice President Chatter
Oh damn! This month flew by. No updates from the desk of the Vice President. Quiet is good sometimes.
Champagne wishes and caviar dreams,
Lance D.
2024 Vice President
“We’re all kings… with cardboard swords and paper crowns.”
Road Captain Rumblings
Heads up! Every Wednesday my neighborhood meets up at the local saloon. I just got back and I have a couple of beers under my belt and I’m kind of feeling ‘em, so this is it, I’m going to start naming names and telling secrets and you’ll all… hold on a sec.
what?… no, I can write whatever I want… but they’re my bridges to burn… fine… no, you… no YOU!!!… whatever.
My husband has informed me that I should just talk about the campouts… Fine, here it goes.
Good God Damn! What an amazing turn out for July! We had a guest ride up from California to join us at the campout and attend the Team Oregon Motorcycle Classes. (Wolf, you are always welcome back whenever you want). And now we’re here, the summer is half over, and there are only two campouts left, but man-o-man, this next one’s going to be a good one. We’re heading up to Lake Bonaparte just outside the bustling hamlet of Tonasket. It should be a lovely weekend full of motorcycles, camping, and opportunities to go swimming, so bring your swim trunks.
We also have the convergence run this Saturday. We’re heading out to Ocean Shores for their Pride event and they’re excited we’re going to be there. If you can make it, head on down to Dirty Oscar’s Annex on Saturday at 9 AM for breakfast. We’ll ride out from there. As the kids would say, it’s going to be keen!
Todd McN
2024 Road Captain
Treasurer’s Ramblings
“Piggy Bank Looks Good”.
I will not be able to attend the August Campout. If you have any questions about the clubs finances, you know how to reach me.
I hope to be able to attend the September Campout.
Stan C
2024 Treasurer
Secretary Thoughts
A Brothers Birthday
We have 7 members for you to say “Happy Birthday” to this month. Take a moment and wish these boys of summer a good one on their special day.
August 10th - Bill L.
August 14th - Justin W.
August 16th - Dave J.
August 19th - Blue B.
August 24th - Stan C.
August 26th - John D.
August 26th - Jack O.
2024 Calendar of Events
August 3rd - “Convergence Ride”, Ocean Shores, WA
August 16th to the 18th - Bonaparte Lake Run at Bonaparte Lake, WA
September 20th to the 22nd - Rainbow Falls State Park, WA
October 19th - Club Meeting - hosted by Dennis H and Dale C in Yakima, WA.
November 9th - Club Meeting - hosted by Todd McN and his amazing husband Christian B in Bremerton, WA.
December 14th - Holiday Party - hosted by Chris L and Richard A in Bow WA.
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 minute details or changes.
Portland: Meet & Greet - 1st Wednesday of the month, 7 pm at The Portland Eagle. Dinner together normally precedes the actual M&G. Dinner location moves so watch the newsletter for last minute details.
Vancouver BC Meet & Greet - The club is looking for a host for this event, please contact Dennis if you are interested.
Seattle: Meet & Greet - 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6 pm at someplace new. Watch the newsletter, website or Facebook for exact location. We usually meet for dinner at 6pm.
Member & Guest Non-Sanctioned 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 minute 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.
Contributions of Photos & Stories
Please feel encouraged to send us your photos 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 photos 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