Real Biking/Riding clubs ?

[nhmaf]

Although I've been a member of multiple 'virtual' biking clubs on the internet, such as our
beloved R65.org, and international clubs like BMWMOA, I never was a member of a"real"
local biking club until this evening - just joined our state's BMW rider's club, the
Granite State BMW Riders (we have alot of granite stone in this area, it is about the only
thing that one can grow in our farmland without lots and lots of fertilizer ;-)

They seem like a nice bunch, and rotate meeting places all over the state several times
each month during riding season to facilitate members being able to get together.
This evening, I was the youngest person there (43) and I also had the oldest bike there,
my '82 R65LS !

I thought it might be interesting to see if I've just been an anti-social type all these years,
or if there are others out there like me !
 

[donbmw]

Have not been a member of a bike club in years. Help start a club that was a mulit make wasn't fun after a couple of years. Alot of different  rider  styles. When a good friend started the BMW Dealer ship here a few years ago.  A few of us started an informal club. More just to get together to ride and do other things. I will ride with others that are somewhat like in my way of riding.

Don

[Ed Miller]

Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists, Airheads BMW club, Antique Motorcycle Club of America (the Triumph qualifies, barely)

I usually just go to Airheads or OVM stuff.

Oh:  The Ugly Muggs Motorcycle Gang, a breakfast/riding club that meets in Salem.  A couple of the guys there match my riding style really well.  Like, we're Isle of Man wannabes.

I still don't consider myself social, as I am more comfortable by myself but I'm stretching.  I also find that there are people who know more about my bikes than I do.

[SCJJR65]

Yeah, for the past three years I've been a member of the Upstate SC BMW Motorcycle Club, based out of Greenville. (BMWMOA Club#263)  I wanted to have some involvement in the club, so I volunteered to be the trash pick up coordinator for the "Adopt-A-Highway" two-mile stretch of road the club had been maintaining for the past several years, then after two years of that decided to help with the club's monthly newsletter and offered to become the editor.  I was elected to the Vice President's office in January of this year, too.

I enjoy going on the monthly club rides, and have a good time at the monthly club meetings as well.  The club also has an annual campout/rally in the NC mountains with a lot of riding, which is also a gas.  Most of the members are really nice folks who have offered help more than once when I had problems with Britta, and when my wife Pattimarie was in her bike wreck last June, she had lots of company and support from the club membership while she recovered at home.  We even have a couple who have been members for as long as I've been in the club, and they both ride Harleys!  They are about the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever met who ride bikes, too!  Even though they are the only members who ride Harleys, they both said they love being members of our club.

If you have a BMW club (or even a generic bike club) in your town or area, I would advise joining.  It's a great way to meet other folks who are into Beemers (as well as other bikes), and it's fun just hanging out with others who love bikes as much as I do!  

[thrang]

I'm (well we since Fi's a member as well) are in an ex-student bike club that grew out of the bike club at Sunderland Poly (SPAMM MCC) but most of my regular riding mates I met through MAG.

www.mag-uk.org

One of the advantages a national rider rights group like MAG offers is a social network through the local MAG group. So although MAG is not exctily a bike club it doses perform so of the same social functions, the group of mates to go for a ride, or to a bike rally with.  

I'm also in the BMW Club, who being blunt are a rather staid bunch, but handy to join for advice and access to specialist tools.

[Tim_McGee]

Belong to the BMWMCOAL (BMW MC Club of AL). Also belong to the MBVMC Club (Mobile Bay Vintage MC Club). Also run a local BMW Air Head group on Yahood Groups. Have several informal meets a month.

Tim McGee

Creola, AL.

[dewjantim]

I belong to the Airheads Beemer Club, BMW MOA, and the Star Riders Assoc. Man, I love going to those airhead rallys........Dew.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I voted 'One' because I belong to the local BMW club, but I rarely see any of them, and even more rarely ride with any.

I definitely lean toward solo riding.  It's fun to have a friend along going to or from a rally, but even that complicates things quite a bit.

[msbuck]

OK, I voted one because I have a membership with BMW MOA.  Hubby is a member of the BMW RA, that way we get both magazines.    We dropped out of our local BMW club about 10 years back after I got my 15 year pin.  We ride together and not much with anyone else.  Did the rally scene for years and have now started going where ever we want to go regardless of what's going on.  Gotta say, been there, done that with the rally scene.  Now we want to go places we haven't been before.  

Then, of course, we discovered Willville and we meet loads of folks on all kinds of bikes and it is much more interesting!  

[Bob_Roller]

I voted 'One' because I belong to the local BMW club, but I rarely see any of them, and even more rarely ride with any.

I definitely lean toward solo riding.  It's fun to have a friend along going to or from a rally, but even that complicates things quite a bit.

I'll have to agree with Rob, on occasion, another rider is great, but in general, I do what I want when I want, and answer to no one for anything !!!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

But I have to agree with Aïda, a spouse can be the perfect riding partner!  

Each on their own bike, of course!

[Bob_Roller]

But isn't spouse, kids, job, etc..... , one of the main reasons most riders like to get away from ?

[Joan]

Aw jeez... I can't be the only 4 or more rider here??

My main local group which shall remain nameless is like family, only mo betta, like a biker cocktail party with all kinds of rides, riding, and riders. Then the local airhead group, which I need to org another ride for Real Soon Now, full of the coolest fun riders, and the local GS group who are having a fall camp out this weekend I have to pass for other commitments, dammit, and the WA BMWOA which is a fun group all by itself and kick ass camping, and then the non beemer ride groups starting with the KLRistas... And I'm gonna join VME official like this year, or else. Saw Dick Casey a couple weeks ago during Isle of Vashon and gave him a good squeeze...

That said, I'm uncomfortable with group riding among strangers, and seen too many crashes/one too many fatalities watching other group rides, so it's usually four, maybe five or less for me and NOT in close formation!! My fav thing to do is stuff extra panties in my riding jacket pocket and take off for the weekend with only a vague destination of my favorite rural roads in mind like Montana, Malheur, Spences Bridge, etc.

C'mon 4+ social peeps! I know yer out there!  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I'm sorry, I didn't count the national/int'l organizations.

I am currently a member of the MOA, and the Airheads as well.  

I thought we were just talking about local stuff.

[Ed Miller]

I included Airheads, though I don't remember any rides they do.  Rallies, Tech days and Barley Therapy!  Many times we ride to tech days together, but usually after an Ugly Mugs breakfast meeting.  I rode the Aufderheide a few weeks ago with a fellow Airhead, but I rode the Triumph.