Who We Are!
The Border Riders Motorcycle Club “BRMC” is a not-for-profit 501(c)(7) organization for gay men who like to ride motorcycles and who like to go camping on their motorcycles. Our membership spans the Pacific Northwest with the greatest participation in the Portland, Seattle and Vancouver B.C. areas. We are one of the largest and longest-running gay motorcycle clubs in North America. We welcome like-minded guests to our Meet & Greets, day rides, and to our monthly meetings and summer campouts with a sponsoring BRMC member.
Table of Contents
All the news you need to know about the BRMC
September Camping Recap : By Ron S.
Photos : By Group
October 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
September 2024 Rainbow Falls Campout
By Ron S.
The camping finale for the 2024 season took place at the heavily wooded Rainbow Falls State Park, aptly named but unaffiliated with the LGBTQIA2S+ movement, or really any movement at all. Your author didn't witness the actual falls but was assured that they consist of running water and boulders, at least in a small section. It was a serene place to end the camping year, with the possible exception of the state highway, not visible but definitely audible a few hundred feet across the river. Luckily it's little-traveled overnight even on weekends since it stretches from Chehalis to Raymond. Nice free showers across the way in unlabeled but definitely gender-segregated bathrooms! Running water! Very few other campers! Zero complaints about scantily clad bathroom-goers! Who could ask for more?
Camping wizard and Road Captain Todd McN. organized a motorcycle-borne firewood caravan for Friday night's campfire and a delicious home-cooked pork adobo with taco fixins for dinner. Thanks to Todd and everyone for the heat and food!
An equally delicious breakfast on Saturday morning was followed by a day-long sojourn to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and its wonderful road, currently terminating at the Coldwater Lake Picnic and Boating Site and the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center while Spirit Lake Highway is being repaired. Docents and rangers at the visitor's center offered insight into where two billion tons of spicy mountaintop dirt might have gone on the morning of May 18, 1980 (the answer: east, as ash, and the Toutle River as lahar). While many were cavorting near the active volcano the inimitable Jeff B. arrived at camp and offered to haul wood for the night's fire.
Saturday dinner was at the overwhelmed Pe Ell Pub where some especially Google-savvy patrons may have ‘done their research’ on the club, thankfully to no ill effect. We learned that it's difficult for two employees to serve fourteen hungry campers at once while keeping the locals happy, especially with a point-of-sale system that was apparently based on Microsoft Bob. "Double click on the bottom left corner of the Persian rug! Right-click on the Bichon Frisé's nose!" <Imagined by author during the delay, not actually heard.> Eventually everyone got to eat and then returned to camp.
Intrepid President Dennis H. returned early from dinner to start the campfire. He addressed many topics during Saturday's late meeting but there wasn’t a quorum so nothing was voted on other than adjourning. Guests Andrew G. and Jerry K. were put forward for membership. Certain member(s?) may have fallen asleep in their comfy safety-reflective jacket(s) during the fireside meeting and then woken up just as they were being asked if they had anything to report, seamlessly offering their usual nothing, but the author can’t name any names. Meeting minutes will surely confirm.
Sunday morning brought another tasty breakfast and a leisurely departure for many since the trip home was two hours or less and there wasn't too much moisture other than heavy dew in the morning. It was a fun weekend to cap off a great season.
September Photos
October 2024 Day Rides
Seattle
South Sound Slow Down Redux
For what is likely the last day ride of the year, we'll be heading from Seattle to Tacoma on some back roads you never knew existed. It's a route I like to call the South Sound Slow Down. It's a nostalgia kick that utilizes roads that were the main route long before the valley freeway ever became the lifeblood of the mediocre and uninspired. If you got a small CC bike, this is the trip for you!
Saturday, October 5th
We'll meet-up at All City Coffee in Georgetown at 10am. (1205 S Vale St, Seattle, WA 98108)
Keeping up with the nostalgia theme, we'll make our way to the Poodle Dog in Fife around noon for a road side diner lunch.
We'll saunter down Pac Ave to the LeMay Car Museum to check out what the world looked like when things were cool.
The LeMay will dig 25 bones from your moth ridden wallet, so you'll cough up the cash or haf'ta dash.
Be there, Square!
October 2024 Meeting
Have you ever wanted to not get rained on for part of one day in October? If yes, this month’s meeting is for you!
Set on the sprawling east-of-the-mountains ranch of Club President Dennis H., this month’s meeting in Yakima County offers benefits such as potentially less rain and very likely more sun, at least during the day. What’s not to love?
Mark your calendar for October 19 at 3pm! Hosted by club gadabout Dale C. and member-hopeful Dmitry B., this meeting will be cozy and filling, offering Siberian delights to eat and a healthy helping of Robert’s Rules of Order to chew on. Not at the same time, the meeting happens before dinner so you’re not tempted to dine and dash.
For those not wanting to traverse a mountain pass or three in the dark of night there is ample room for sleeping in the house or multiple buildings (heat in the garage but snoring in the 90 dB range may put you in an unheated shed :)). Think slumber party - for space considerations leave the queen mattress at home and bring the twin mattress - queens still welcome. Come Friday or Saturday and stay one or both nights. For those that come Friday pizza will be available regardless of what time you arrive. Breakfast will be available Saturday and Sunday mornings for those that stay over. A cooler will be provided for your personally supplied beverages. Additionally, this will be a dog welcomed event with a fenced area for the four-legged friends to socialize.
Social time begins at 3pm Saturday
Meeting at 4:30.
Dinner at 5:30 pm
Return home or stay for the campfire afterwards!
October Meet & Greets
Portland M&G
On Wednesday, October 2nd, Portland area BRMC Members & guests might meet for dinner at 5:30 at Kenton Station (8303 N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217). We could potentially 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 if they choose to show, 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 October 9 at Smarty Pants, 6017 Airport Way S, Seattle WA. Dinner if desired at 6pm, Meet and Greet officially starts at 7pm.
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.
Gear Store
The Gear Store was open Victoria Day Weekend. The next time the gear store will 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
Our camping season has officially come to an end with the finale at Rainbow Falls. I hope that all of those that attended events have at least one thing that is memorable to add to their memory banks from each trip - be it a torrential downpour, a candid conversation around the campfire, a rodeo grounds in the middle of nowhere, a particular road, or …..
Thanks to Todd for putting together a wide variety of experiences for the summer events. With the variations of booking policies, it can be a challenge.
As we head into the off season, we still have our get togethers and business to take care of. We have 3 potential members that will be coming up for vote in January - their bios will be announced once published in the members section of the website. Also, consider being a board member, the board is crucial in keeping the club operating for the benefit of the members and those that want to ride with us.
I hope to see many of you at in October!
Dennis H.
2024 President
Vice President Chatter
Alas, no updates from the desk of the vice president this month.
Namaste,
Lance D.
2024 Vice President
“…and then they realized, the magic was inside them all along.”
Road Captain Rumblings
The September campout was only a week ago and I still have yet to fully unpack. Why? For some reason it always feels final. This is the time when all the camping gear gets cleaned and sorted. Items that are broke or worn get fixed or replaced. Everything goes in to hibernation, in a cabinet, in the garage for the next 7 months. But that doesn't mean that we stop doing things, we just move indoors.
The October meeting will be held at Dennis' riverside retreat. You can campout in his front yard or he may have space to stay. Contact your President (BRMC, not U.S.) for details and to arrange accommodation.
Yours truly will be hosting the November meeting where we will be dining on fine French foods and cheap wine. Let me know if you need a place to crash, guest bed has already been claimed... no, you can't camp in my front yard.
December will be hosted by Chris and Richard at their cottage estate. They should have a space to put out an air mattress and a sleeping bag. Contact them for reservations.
And that brings us to 2025. We have some great campouts and rides in the works. Reservations for group sites open soon and go fast, and I will be posting them as they are reserved.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the October meeting.
Todd McN
2024 Road Captain
Treasurer’s Ramblings
“Piggy Bank Looks Good”.
I will see you all at the October Meeting.
Stan C
2024 Treasurer
Secretary Thoughts
October can be beautiful or frosty. Most of us will continue to ride on the nice days but have an eye on the weather forecast. Heated grips suddenly seem like a brilliant idea.
Tom C.
2024 Secretary
A Brothers Birthday
We have 2 members for you to say “Happy Birthday” to this month. They are our family and brothers,
October 10th - Ron S.
October 24th -Randy W.
2024 Calendar of Events
Saturday October 5th Seattle Day Ride -South Sound - meeting in Georgetown, details above.
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