100 YEARS OF MOTORCYCLE HISTORY
The year is 1907 when Harry Houdini escapes from chains underwater at Aquatic Park in 57 seconds, UPS is founded in Seattle, Washington and in Southern California the Pasadena Motorcycle Club (PMC) is formed. For over 100 years this clubs focus has been on providing an outlet for serious motorcycle riders with safety at the top of our list. The PMC is a place where motorcycle riders from all over California can come together and share this mind-set. It originally started as a sporting club that held Hare and Hound races in local orange groves and on the unpaved streets of Pasadena and surrounding communities. But the PMC has always grown and changed with the times. In the 1930s through the 1970s we were predominately an off-road/enduro club. Members and their families enjoyed the vast open desert to camp, race and share the bonds of friendship. Similar activities are still part of the club today. Riding is always the number one activity for the PMC. The 1980s and 1990s brought on complex off-road legislation and right-of-way requirements forcing our club to evolve into what it is at the present time, a road-riding club.
In the early years of the PMC its members were closely involved with Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade. We even had our own Rose Parade float in 1911. Members provided escorts for parade floats as well as traffic control. In today’s terms they were the early day White Suiters. Over the years the club has also been involved in driving the decorated floats, some of which are ATV based. Our club members are sometimes observers and animators inside the floats. In 1998 sixteen of our members were involved in the parade this way. That tradition is a great honor and one we’re quite proud of.
The PMC sponsors two major road rides ever year. In February 2006 the club held its 30th annual PMC Poker Run. This event attracted 200 motorcyclists from all over Southern California.
2007 marks the 61st year of our most famous annual event, The Green Horn. Usually held during the first weekend of May, the Green Horn ride is a prime attraction for experienced and novice riders alike.
The Pasadena Motorcycle Club enjoys dinner rides during the summer months in place of some of our regular weekly meeting. These rides take place during the cooler hours in the evening and are usually on the second Monday of the month. The PMC sometimes sponsors a Saturday breakfast ride and a monthly day time ride.
Our club’s annual picnic is held in June. And we organize a camp-out every October. These non-riding events are casual opportunities for all the PMC members, their families and friends to interact socially. We keep the activities going all through the year. Our potluck dinner near Christmas comes complete with a visit from Santa. And the PMC Officer’s Installation & Awards Banquet is held every January.
- Paul Rumpler, 2007
ABOUT l CALENDAR l CONTACTS l GALLERIES
POKER RUN l GREENHORN l MOVIE NITE l PISMO CLASSIC l 105 ANNIVERSARY
