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 guest to come meet us at our Meet & Greets &/or on our Day-Rides.
Table of Contents
All the news you need to know about the BRMC
March 2024 Meeting Recap : By Tom C.
Photos : By Tom C.
April 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
March 2024 Club Meeting
BRMC Group Photo MAR 2024
By Tom C.
The March meeting was on one of those early Spring weekends that are so glorious in the Pacific Northwest - warm golden sunshine after months of chilly gray rain. A perfect day to get the bike out and get back on the road. Jeremy's home in Kent is well-situated on a west-facing hillside to catch all of that afternoon warmth, and the photos reveal that. As always, he's a great host, with friends Pam and Brian helping out in the kitchen. Jorge was grillmaster, and the meal was not only tasty but solid and wholesome, as well. Homemade pasta, butter-y garlic-y mashed potatoes, grilled pork ... really nice. We still find it humorously unlikely that he lives on Temperance Street.
Dennis as President runs an efficient meeting, and there was good discussion about some changes to simplify Victoria Day, and also issues around being a men's-only club in the 21st century and how that impacts public relations and prospecting for new members. These discussions will undoubtedly continue around the campfire during the riding season. Take a look at the meeting minutes for a more detailed account of the discussion. The new VICE president (Lance) is hoping the guys will do something to engage his duties as club disciplinarian, so be thinking how you can accomodate him.
One of the quietly-great things about the club is riding with other guys, who are willing to share their wisdom, whether in riding style, motorcycles, or routes. I followed Dale back to Tacoma from Kent, and following him we never once got on the freeway - a much more pleasant ride as a result. I have attempted that in the past, but ended up on Pacific Highway South (nearly a freeway) and instead we followed Old Military Road South to 21st Avenue SW, then down along the Tacoma docks to old downtown past the old city hall (with the clocktower in that Italianate style). From there up over the hill and to the Narrows Bridge. A great ride - thanks, Dale!
The run season planning is done, so jot those 3rd weekend dates and locations in your calendars so you don't miss a single one. It's shaping up to be a really good riding season.
-Tom C
March Photos
April 2024 Club Meeting
The April meeting will be held Saturday the 20th at the home of Kas C. and Chris M. in Vancouver, WA beginning at 4pm.
Registration opens on 4/1 and closes on Wednesday 4/17.
You can register here, and we will see you there!
April Meet & Greets
Portland M&G
On Wednesday, April 6th, we will meet for dinner at 5:30 at Kenton Station (8303 N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217). We will then move over to the Portland Eagle (835 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217) for a social hour starting at 7pm. We hope to see you there! It is a great way to learn about the club and meet some of the guys. Check it out!
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
The April Meet & Greet is on Wednesday 4/17 at Smarty Pants in Georgetown, 6pm. 6017 Airport Way S, Seattle WA 98108.
A Brothers Birthday
We have 3 members with a birthday in April. Be sure and help us make them feel special.
April 11th - Dennis H
April 23rd - Tom C
April 29th - Dale C
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.
Team Oregon Road Riding Tactics and Highway Speed Advanced Braking Clinic Motorcycle Classes
Classes are going fast, get 'em while you can! (As of 4/1 there are only 2 spots left.)
The 2024 schedule has been confirmed and we got what we wanted. We will start off with the Road Riding Tactics “RRT” on Saturday, July 20th & Highway Speed Advanced Braking Clinic “HSABC” on Sunday, July 21st. This is the same weekend as our July Campout which, not so coincidentally, is near the Oregon Coast & the location of these classes. Both classes will be held near Astoria Oregon. Attending the campout is not required to attend the classes but we hope to see you at both.
These classes are being offered as a set. Registration is open & will be available through the BRMC Website “only”, & the cost for the set is $180. There are only 12 openings so they should fill up fast. Once full, I will run a small list of people who want to be notified if someone should decide to cancel their reservation. All cancellations must go through Stan.
The first class, Road Riding Tactics, is designed to improve your street skills. You will ride your own bike & wear your own protective gear during the exercises. The course combines 9 riding exercises with range-side discussions. Participants increase awareness of crash situations and how to avoid them. The riding exercises build precision and confidence with the skills riders use every day, such as slow, tight turns, braking in a lean, quick lane changes and negotiating faster curves.
This class is a great annual review for intermediate & skilled riders. The class starts at 1 p.m. and last 4½ hours.
The second class, the one you’ve all been waiting for, is the Highway Speed Advanced Braking Clinic “HSABC”. This class is designed to take us up to highway speeds and allow us to learn how to stop our bikes quickly & safely in a controlled setting.
The regular Advanced Braking Clinic “ABC” is one of best classes anyone could take & this class expands on the skills acquired in the regular ABC. The skills acquired in the ABC are one of the 9 lessons in the RRT class. Yep, this was intentional. This weekend is all about improving your daily skills and mastering your braking skills & both slow speeds & highway speeds.
This class is intended for riders with at least 2 years’ experience and who have already taken the RRT or Advanced Braking Clinic. The class starts at 1 p.m. and last 2½ hours. The “HSABC” is currently not part of the normal offerings by Team OR so you will not be able to find it on their website. This is something Team OR is offering to us as a special event.
Here is the fine print. You will need to have a motorcycle endorsement, be able to prove you have motorcycle insurance, & your bike must be in road worthy/safe operating condition.
If you have any questions about these classes or motorcycle training in general, please contact Dennis at president@borderriders.com.
Gear Store
The Gear Store is closed until Victoria Day Weekend. Feel encouraged to reach out to VP Lance if there is something you want to make sure will be available at the event so he can order it in for you.
From the Handlebars of the President
It seems that every time we get teased that decent riding weather is right around the corner we get hit with another blast of winter. It was great having a decent day for the March meeting at Jeremy’s as many rode and it was beginning to look like we are a Motorcycle Club again.
Frequently in the past the April meeting has been a good day for riding and hopefully many will be able to attend the meeting at Kas’ place in Vancouver on 2 wheels. Join us for the meeting as it is our last get together before Victoria Day and the important points of discussion are mostly related to our annual opening of riding/camping season.
While you’re in the Portland area that day check out the One Motorcycle Show happening the same weekend.
Hope to see you all there!
Dennis H.
2024 President
Vice President Chatter
Greetings from the VP desk!
Spring weather has finally arrived in the PNW. Camping and riding options will be arriving very soon. Victoria Day planning is in full swing. My plan is to bring a list of possible VD activities to next month’s gathering and ask participants to rank their top two or three choices. Riding skill challenges, movie night and trivia will all be options among others.
Warm regards,
One Sack
Lance D.
2024 Vice President
Consuming the world’s limited resources since 1970
Road Captain Rumblings
…I prefer to think of it as more “yelling in to the void” than “rumblings”.
Last night, right after I had taken the dogs out for their last constitutional of the day, I looked out the kitchen window and watched a coyote walking down the middle of the street. It was almost surreal to see one in the world, meandering down the road without fear.
My neighborhood is a suburban enclave built during the post war boom of the early 1950's. Not an overly old neighborhood, but well populated enough with plenty of cars, people, and other things that tend to keep coyotes at bay. We hear them from time to time and see evidence of their existence, but as for seeing one, this was a first.
This year have have planned some fantastic rides and campouts. It's going to be a great riding season. Victoria Day Week(end) is a month and a half away. It's coming up fast. Now's the time to get your bike in order (if you haven't yet) and get your camping gear cleaned and rainproofed. Take a look at the list of campouts, choose one or two or all, and be there. Don't be like the coyote, walking alone down some lonely suburban street. Come for a ride, stay for the camping, hang out by the fire and bullshit with your brothers. I'm looking forwarded to seeing you all there.
Bruceport Campout and Team Oregon Classes
Todd McN
2024 Road Captain
Treasurer’s Ramblings
“Piggy Bank Looks Good”.
Alan & I have tickets to the “One Moto Show” on 4/20. We will head to the meeting after the show.
We will see you in a couple weeks
Stan C
2024 Treasurer
Secretary Thoughts
Check out the March minutes on the Members page and see you all at the April meeting!
Tom C.
2024 Secretary
2024 Calendar of Events
April 20th - Club Meeting - hosted by Kas C & Chris M in Vancouver, WA.
May 15th to the 20th - Victoria Day Campout - Pine Flats near Ardenvior, WA.
June 14th to the 16th - Wynoochee Dam Run, Coho Campground at Wynoochee Lake, WA
July 19th to the 21st - Bruceport Campout and Team Oregon Classes, WA & OR
July 20th - RSP Road Riding Tactics with Team OR - Astoria, OR.
July 21st - Highspeed Emergency Braking with Team Oregon - Astoria, OR.
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 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 minutes details pr changes.
Portland: Meet & Greet - 1st Wednesday of the month, 7 pm at The Portland Eagle. Dinner together normally preceeds the actual M&G. Dinner location moves so watch our FB Page 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 - 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7 pm at someplace new. Watch the newsletter, website or Facebook for exact location.
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 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
The One Motorcycle Show in Portland is coming April 19-21. Club members will be meeting for the noon show on Saturday the 20th, prior to the April club meeting in Vancouver, WA. Contact Stan to RSVP. It’s always a lot of fun.
Get 15% off through the 17th using promo code : BORDER5
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