—Roy Sherrill
from 1983 (adapted)

We all have people walk up to us and ask, “What is a Border Rider?”

I usually respond to non-bikers by telling them they wouldn’t understand. And tell bikers they must ride with us to understand. Over the past few weeks I have made some notes on what a Border Rider is to me and would like to share them with you.

• A Border Rider is a man who understands when a fellow Border Rider goes camping but rents a motel room in order to keep his new Harley dry.
• A Border Rider knows the joy of arising on a Saturday morning on the Washington Coast, breakfasting and riding to the highest point in the Cascades, then returning to the lowlands but only after dining beside a mountain lake.
• A Border Rider knows the agony of waiting six months for a spark plug to arrive from Italy only to receive it on the first rainy day following a perfect summer and then have it turn out to be the wrong size!
• A Border Rider is concerned about AIDS and KS research and how, if it is to be done, we as gay men must do it ourselves because the hetero world will not.
• A Border Rider will sometimes cook with a cold oven but when he does find the button, stand by!
• To a Border Rider, V. D. doesn’t mean a trip to the clinic; it means a wonderful weekend in the Washington Cascades.
• A Border Rider is understanding when he goes to a meeting at the home of a Border Rider who isn't a gourmet cook.
• A Border Rider never drinks. If he does, he never gets drunk. If he does get drunk, he never staggers and, if he should stagger, he never falls. If he does fall, he always falls on his back so that his colours are not seen and no one knows he’s a Border Rider.
• A Border Rider knows the agony of having the crotch of his electric riding suit catch fire.
• A Border Rider knows the beauty of the world as it can only be seen from a bike.
• A Border Rider knows how it feels to push a Gold Wing with a flat tire from Saltery Bay to Powell River, B.C.…and that’s across water, folks!
• A Border Rider enjoys leading the club on the highway, especially when he can make John Mc. go 135 miles without a smoke.
• A Border Rider knows the chill, the thrill, the wet soggy feeling, the ecstasy of biking–safely with the Club.

—Tom Schave
compiled in 2003 (adapted)

[I reported] last month [on] Roy Sherrill’s article from ’83…. This month I thought it would be interesting to ask other club members what they thought a Border Rider is. Over twenty years have passed since that first article was written. Have things changed? Read and find out.

What Is A Border Rider? ’03

• A Border Rider is a man who enjoys riding and being with men on theirs.
• A Border Rider is a man who can never have too much fringe.
• A Border Rider is an individual–unique!
• A Border Rider is always laughing and loving and living.
• A Border Rider will always lend a hand to a rider who is down.
• A Border Rider never has too much chrome, leather, or electronic toys.
• A Border Rider will do anything to make his guest feel welcome.
• A Border Rider rides on through the Northwest rain.
• A Border Rider celebrates the commonality of riding and the diversity of life.
• A Border Rider never forgets his brothers.
• A Border Rider would never wear a skirt and tiara. But if he did, he would wear it well.
• A Border Rider never answers his cell phone while riding.
• A Border Rider is always tolerant of his brother’s riding style…
• A Border Rider knows where not to pitch his tent…who snores, who screams in ecstasy, and who giggles throughout the night.
• A Border Rider doesn't blush when he hears peri-orgasmic exaltation, but applauds and sometimes raises scorecards.