100 YEARS OF MOTORCYCLE HISTORY

By: Paul Rumpler 

The year is 1907, Houdini escapes from chains underwater at Aquatic Park in 57 seconds, the United Parcel Service begins service in Seattle, Washington, also in Southern California, the Pasadena Motorcycle Club (PMC) was formed.

For 100 years the club main focus has been to provide an outlet for motorcycle riders with safety being top of the list. PMC also provides a place where people can come together and share the same mind-set of motorcycle riders from all over Southern California. 

Originally started as a sporting club that held Hare and Hound races in the local orange groves and unpaved streets of Pasadena and surrounding communities, the club has grown and changed with the times.  Predominately an off-road or enduro type club from the 1930’s to the 1970’s, club members and their families used the desert to camp, race, and share the bonds of friendship.  The same activities are still part of the club today.  Of course, riding is still the number one activity of PMC.  In the 1980’s through the 1990’s complex off-road legislation and right-of-way requirements forced the club to evolve into what it is at the present time. 

Now primarily a road riding club, the PMC sponsors two road rides a year.  In February 2006, the Club held its 30th annual PMC Poker Run this event attracted approximately 200 motorcyclists from every area of Southern California.

Now in its 61st year, another road run that is held each year by the club is the Green Horn Road Tour.  Usually held during the first weekend of May, this event is also a prime attraction for both experienced and novice riders alike. 

In the early days of PMC members were involved with the Tournament of Roses Parade.  We even had our own Rose Parade float in the 1911 parade.  Members also provided “escorts” for the floats as well as traffic control.  In today’s terms they were the early day “White Suiters” of the Parade.  Over the years, the club has been involved in driving the decorated floats.  Some of the floats we have driven are ATV based.  Every year we also provide many club members as observers and animators inside the floats for the Tournament of Roses Parade.  The 1998 parade found 16 members involved in the operation of the floats.  This is one of the great honors and traditions that the PMC members are proud of.

The PMC also holds monthly “ride nights” during the summer months in place of one regular weekly meeting.  The rides take place during the cooler hours at night and are usually held on the second Monday of the month.  They start at the Clubhouse at 7:00 p.m.  The PMC also sponsor a Saturday breakfast ride or a day ride at least once a month. 

The PMC picnic held in June is a high point for all of our members. The club also sponsors a camp-out every October, thus allowing members and their families to interact at a social event.  We keep the activities going all year long by holding a Pot Luck dinner during the Christmas holidays, complete with a visit from Santa. The Officer’s Installation & Awards Banquet is held in January. 

The Pasadena Motorcycle Club is proud to be celebrating its 100 years in existence on Saturday, June 23, 2007. We will be hosting an open event to be held at the Rose Bowl Pavilion located at 700 Seco Street in Pasadena, California from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   A festive astrosphere is planned with music, food, pictures, guest speakers, vintage motorcycles and riders of all ages will be available to talk, bench race and enjoy the day with. This event is open to everyone; you are invited to be our guest.   

We hope to see you there.

For further information on this historic event, please contact the following
members after 5:00 p.m.