The past ten years has seen motorcycle popularity increase, but factionalism between bike brands and styles has risen as well. In the early years of the Black Hawk Motorcycle Club and Rambling Wheels, riders of road, dirt, or enduro bikes felt they had more in common as motorcyclists than most do today. Road riders and dirt riders find little in common and brand rivalry has escalated to the detriment of the sport. These factions are present in the Rambling Wheels, however, the club provides activities for all to enjoy through racing, road riding, camping, and others, bringing out the what they all share, motorcycling.
Today, the Rambling Wheels Motorcycle Club has forty-eight members, ranging in age from twenty-two to sixty-five. Among the members are corporate executives, factory workers, heavy equipment operators, business owners, truck drivers, teachers, telephone operators, retirees, accountants, students, and a variety of others. The bikes they ride are just as diverse. Some ride Harleys, others Hondas or Yamahas. Some ride only on the road, others only in the dirt, some ride both; others rarely ride at all. Some members go to the clubgrounds only on race days, others go out every weekend with their families to camp, ride, or just get together. For some, Rambling Wheels is just a club they belong to, for others, it is something they cannot imagine life without. It is because of its tradition and commitment to motorcycling that the Rambling Wheels Motorcycle Club still flourishes after forty-four years.
The sport of motorcycling has seen many changes over the past century. Bike styles and brands have come and gone. New racetracks were built, others torn down. Stereotypes of riders were created while others were destroyed. Clubs were organized and disbanded. Despite these inevitable changes, motorcycle riders of all kinds continue to enjoy the freedom, independence, and camaraderie that motorcycling provides. The Black Hawk and Rambling Wheels Motorcycle Clubs came into existence as groups of riders gathered to share these common interests. Although the Black Hawk Motorcycle Club is no longer, the Rambling Wheels continues into the 21st century with three generations of members continuing to improve, build, and expand upon the original foundation set by those young motorcycle enthusiasts in 1955.
Written and Edited by Amy Stover
Spring 1999
