Road Riders of Rolla

ority of the group was in law enforcement. But after meeting a few times and trying to get organized, it was quickly realized that the Blue Knights would probably not work ot for the group. This was mainly due to stringent rules and regulations along with the limiting of non-law enforcement officers in the group. There were also significant costs that did not seem to benefit the group in the least. Nothing more was discussed about a club for several months. In August of 2000 one of the riders (Jason Smith) had gone to Kansas to pick up his new motorcycle. While riding back across Kansas he claims to have became delusional, mainly contributed to the fact that he was riding across wide open/flat Kansas in the 100 degree heat, and began dreaming of a motorcycle club again. The name Road Riders popped into his mind, and instantly started thinking about a design for a club t-shirt. Upon returning home from the 300+ mile ride, he contacted another of the groups riders and discussed a plan with him. It was decided that the only way to get a club started was for them to takd ethe bull-by-the-horns and just do it. Splash Designs was contacted with the shirt design, and they quickly had 12 shirts printed. These two (Jason Smith & Rick Williams) were the only ones that knew anything about the club or shirts, and kept it a secret for a surprise unvailing. The following Saturday everyone met once again for a weekend ride. With the tow wearing the new shirts and waitig to see what the response was. Immediately people started pulling up and asking, "Hey, where did you get the shirts?". They were ignored at first, by acting like they did not know what everyone was referring too. Then told them, "Oh, that's our new motorcycle club, you probably wouldn't be interested!". Quickly everyone wanted in, the remaining 10 shirts were brought out and sold right there on the spot. The Road Riders Motorcycle Club of Rolla, Missouri, was formed. The group started spreading the word and set a date of October 1st, 2000, as a deadline to become a Charter Member of the club. Quickly the club climbed to 33 Charter Members, and the first official meeting was on September 27th, 2000. There the club officers were elected, Rick Williams (President), Dave Ikka (Vice President), Tara Cale (Secretary), Hondo Wooten (Enforcer) and Jason Smith (Treasurer). It was decided that membership dues of $15.00 per year would be charged; this money would be used for a family barbecue. Where the club members and their families would meet once a year for a party. It was also decided that some publicity was needed so the public would know that there was a new motorcycle club in Rolla. A photo shoot was done and placed on the front page of the Rolla Daily News. Decisions were also made for a Poker Run which would benefit a charity soon there after. On November 5th, 2000, the Club had their 1st annual 'Cruisin the Ozarks Poker Run'. The event was a success even with the cool weather. A total of 50 riders from all across the state participated, and $750.00 was raised for the Children's Miracle Network. Though the original plan was to mail the money to them, someone got the brilliant idea of having a motorcycle convoy go to Springfield, MO, to present the check to the Children's Miracle Network. This does not sound to bad as your are reading this, but you must realize that this was done the first week of December. All the arrangements were set, the TV stations were going to be there to get it n film and give us more publicity. The Children's Miracle Network representatives were excited and had arranged for the photo shoot to be at an elementary school where their mobile resource vehicle would be screening and treating low-income families for heath problems. The following is a direct statement from one member on the ride (Jason Smith). "We all meet at Rick Williams house at 8:00am and the temperature was 28 degrees. Yes it was cold, but we were tough and dressed for the elements. We were west bound and down with 9 riders! About 5 miles out of Rolla, the first rider peeled off and headed back home. Our first stop was St. Robert, there we were to pick up two more club members. Once we stopped, there was serious discussion and debate about turning around and going home. Some people in the group wanted to get in a van and take the check, but I told them to suck it up and ride, it was going to get up to 50 degrees this day and we had seen the worst of the weather, besides the TV crews were expecting motorcycles, not vans. A few miles down the road one of our riders tried to escape and peel off, after pulling off on an exit ramp and some motivational speaking, the weak minded rider decided to continue on. 30 miles later we arrived in Lebanon, I could not feel my fingers and all I wanted was my MOMMY! I made a command decision that we were not going a mile further and were going home. I did not care when or how that check got to Springfield, I just knew I wasn't doing it. After being made fun of, I too succumbed to the peer pressure and continued on. We ran into snow at our next stop near Marshfield, there on of our TOUGHER members locked himself in a bathroom and threatened not to come out. He too, fell to peer pressure and continued. At 11:30 we arrived in Springfield with 10 riders, we felt like we had just finished a marathon. We arrived at the school and discovered that there wer no TV crews as promised. There was on person there with a 35mm camera who too a picture of us. We had a great visit with the staff of Children's Miracle Network and then were invited to Easy Riders Motorcycle Shop were we were treated to coffee and a warm building. After riding 235 miles we made it home, consequently the high temperature for the day was 34 degrees." Now, with 45 members , the Club has progressed into a great group of rider's with a lot of active members. The only requirement for joining the club is that you must own a motorcycle, be of good moral character and be sponsored by and existing member of the club. Feel free to come along on one of our rides and get to know us first hand.