BMW Motorcycle Owners of Cleveland
A Living History

by Bob Wood

It all started back in 1989, at the MOA National Rally in York. Ralph and Sue rode across the great state of Pennsylvania with Karl (with a 'K' on an 'R') only to meet fellow BMW riders from Cleveland! It actually was Rose's first national (Rose, as in Mrs. Wood - ed.). She and I rode two-up. In fact, they found enough of us to investigate the possibility of starting a local club.

After a quick, informal head count, and a talk with the MOA Club Coordinator, it actually seemed like it could work. A few weeks later, the small group had their first (and only) official meeting. Somehow I missed it. There, it was decided, with some persuasion from John Soltis Sr., that they would apply for a charter and the name would be the BMW Motorcycle Owners of Cleveland. Dues were to be one dollar each (to cover the charter fee) and, since no one else wanted the job, Sue was declared President.

Breakfast rides were scheduled for a few pleasant Sunday mornings and a year slipped by. Another dollar was collected for charter renewal, but interest seemed to be fading. Sue split off to a new direction, so they needed a new president and the charter renewal was coming due soon. Pondering the prospects in the dead of winter, Ralph began calling people who had been active in the club and other local Beemer riders who he thought may be interested. It was there in February of 1992 that I attended my first meeting.

To Ralph's surprise, more BMW owners turned out than were in the original group. Go figure! Not only were these riders interested, but they brought enthusiasm to the project. It was the most productive meeting the group had held to date! We set goals and formed committees. Interim officers were selected from those willing to work, a start was made on structuring our bylaws and constitution, and we pledged to hold regular monthly meetings.
The momentum took over and by June of that year, we held our first annual Micro-Rally at a Dave and Pam's house. We celebrated our success at organizing the club into a working group that was now beginning to roll. As the season progressed, we found more Clevelanders at rallies in New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. These phantom riders of Cleveland began to grow in numbers. I was elected Road Captain and wanted to keep interest and enthusiasm high, so we finished the season with a second event, the Autumn Bridge Tour. In 1993, we added yet another activity -- a Holiday Bash in December.

Communicating with our motoring friends and polishing up our act was the plan for 1994. The Cleveland Club steadily grew larger, adding more social events, a new logo, and expanding one of the best BMW newsletters already in the state. Many new faces were added to the ranks which brought in fresh resources, adding to the momentum. Our goal to become one of Ohio's finest BMW motorcycling clubs was beginning to paying off. We continued our "Ride-In Cook-Out Meetings", Spring Tune-Up Clinic, Micro-Rally, and Fall Foliage Folly, while we polished up and expanded the newsletter some, and started Ohio's first and only BMW Motorcycle Hot-Line.
During the '98 Season we added our first charity ride -- "the Heart of Ohio Ride", and introduced a progressive dinner ride. Both functions were well received and will likely be added to our seasonal slate. Last Summer, Wednesday nights were "Cruisin' Nights at Annebelle's" where members, friends, and owners of other brand bikes met in the Mentor parking lot of this popular eatery.

If you are reading this history, you already know that new for this year is our World Wide Web presence. Let us know what you think. Club membership has now topped 150 motorcyclists and we may still be growing. We can now offer a little something for everyone through our diversity while maintaining a relatively strong organizational structure. Did you know we have a club store with promotional garments, stickers and patches available? Oh, and did I mention the membership card and handbook? The handbook is full of information about the club, a local dealer listing, Ohio Motorcycle Laws, Club Voicemail instructions, and more. You can use your membership card at participating vendors, dealers and local retailers for special club discounts. Is this a deal for your ten dollar dues? You bet! I can almost guarantee your dues will be the best riding accessory you will buy for your motorcycling experience this season.

Well, these are the meager beginnings and the current state of the club as we enter the new millennium. Our numbers have grown more than ten fold since our pioneering days in York, yet we still look forward to finding other Clevelanders in our travels around the country, so they too can discover the fun of an active BMW motorcycle club right here (where else?) in Cleveland!

So here we go...mark your calendar. Club meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM (come early and share a meal and conversation with our members). See our calendar of events for meeting locations and information. During the Winter and early Spring months look for a couple of tech sessions. Our annual Spring Tune-Up Clinic is usually scheduled for mid April. Beginning in April or May we meet outdoors, with locations announced on the club's voice mail, Web-page, and in the newsletter. Our Micro-Rally is traditionally held the first weekend in June. This event is a no frills camp out with Saturday dinner - family style, and is limited to BMW riders, club members, and their guests. Monthly meetings continue throughout the summer, with the Wednesday Night Cruisin', our "Heart of Ohio Ride" and progressive dinner ride. In the past we have offered a club exclusive Experienced Rider Course through the State of Ohio's MC Enrichment Program. This will be offered again if there is sufficient interest (just let a board member know). Volunteers occasionally run Sunday breakfast rides during the riding and pre/post-riding season. Northeast Ohio offers some of the best late season riding, and to paint your riding memories with the colors of fall is our Fall Foliage Folly (previously known as the Autumn Bridge Tour). Don't leave home without your rain suit! And finally we again plan to wrap up the year in December with our Annual Gala Holiday Bash.

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