The First 20 Years ...

The year 2006 commemorates the 20th. anniversary of the Bucks County, PA Chapter of the Harley Owners Group. Following are some recollections of members of our chapter about the early years.

Tom B. writes in the February 2006 Newsletter:

This year we are celebrating the Chapter's Twentieth Anniversary. As part of that celebration I will be writing about some of the highlights of the chapter's history.

There is very little hard documentation from the beginning years of the club, only verbal recollections and every year we are losing contact with the early members through aging or changing interests. It is frightening to me, to realize I am becoming a source for some of these verbal recollections. So, I could use some help. Take some time gather your thoughts and record your experiences about being a member of this club and submit them to the newsletter. We have a number of events every year, let's put a face on them and not leave them as a line item in a calendar listing. I digress.

In 1993, Bob A. became the Club Secretary and a formal recording of the Monthly meeting minutes took shape. I was the Treasurer then and expanded on the financial record format begun by Rosina (Rose) T. in 1992. Before Bob and Rose began the recording, the club's business was a random collection of scribbles on envelopes and bits of paper. The newsletter did not start appearing on a regular basis until 1994. I believe there were newsletters published in 1993; I have not been able to find one. Kathy S., Lori G. and Diane S. worked on the newsletter. Kathy and Lori would write and print the newsletter and Diane with the aid of her family (that should read “draft”) would handle the folding, stuffing, stamp ing and mailing of the newsletter every month. Steve Y. , as Road Captain, contributed articles on the club rides.

The 1994 newsletters were two pages long. Some things are timeless; February's issue covered the MDA packet turn-in for the “Ride for Life VII” event and posted a Chapter challenge from Camden County HOG for the “Best Represented” trophy at the Burlington County HOG poker run in June. To warm up for the big challenge in June, the club took the Coopersburg HOG “Best Represented” trophy in April. In June, we were proud to report successfully being the “Best Represented” Chapter at the Burlington HOG event. Come to think of it, I don't believe Camden County HOG has ever challenged us since.

My favorite item from the February 1994 newsletter is an item about a Polar Bear ride to Long Branch, New Jersey. Steve Y. writes that February 20th was a great day for riding with temperatures in the 60s. They only encountered one problem on the trip, it seems Long Branch was the February 13th Polar Bear destination and not the 20th. Steve was sure to give credit where credit was due and thanked Flea for being on top of things. Only last year, Wayne B. and Rob McC. after completing the Crotona Midnight Run went to the wrong Polar Bear destination for that day. I think we may have a tradition beginning.

So today's Polar Bears, remember to thank Dave H., he always knows where he is going, just hope he has the right day.

Tom B. writes in the March 2006 Newsletter:

It is interesting to note, two events that took place at this month's meeting have happened before in the Club's history. The first event involves the location of the meeting, namely it was held at Brian's dealership and not at our current location, the United German-Hungarian Club. The second event was the creation of the Club photograph.

In 1986, the Club's first “Clubhouse” was a small lounge in the back of Brian's dealership. Sometimes the meetings were held on a rotating order at a member's home. As the Club grew, it became apparent that a larger facility was needed. The new location was the Hilltop Athletic Association in Oakford. I don't have dates for when this occurred or how Hilltop was selected. If a member knows, I look forward to hearing from you. I suspect from the unusual business relationship between the Club and Hilltop that a member of the club influenced the selection. The Club was not charged a rental fee for the use of the hall and had a barter type relationship with Hilltop. In return for the use of the hall, the Club was expected annually to do two things. For the first obligation, it was expected the membership would spend enough money at the bar; at least enough to cover the cost of providing a bartender and our members threw themselves into the task. For the second obligation, it was expected the Club would hold a minimum of two events a year using the hall's services. This relationship became strained in 1997 and led to Hilltop ending the barter method in favor of a rental charge.

When services are free or appear to be free, people are more tolerant of the quality of the provided service, but begin charging for the service and the standards are raised. This is what happened to Hilltop. Once the Club was charged for using the facility, the Club's Primary Officers were obligated to find the best facility for the cost. In this new light, Hilltop was not in the best shape and it was located at a dangerous intersection. The street to Hilltop is just below the crest of a hill on Bristol Road. The hill creates a blind spot for left turns from Bristol Road and for anyone returning to Bristol Road. Sadly, member Mike “Fingers” Spears lost his life at the intersection. I did not know Mike, it happened before I was a member, I did meet his widow, Kathy, who was a driving force in the club, over the years she did everything and in a small way this club, it's members provided an outlet for her to work through her loss. April 1997, the Club moved to its current location, the United German-Hungarian Club up the street from Hilltop on Bristol Road. The facilities were newer, it had a bar and the location provided a safer intersection for entering and exiting.

Now to the Club photograph, I have had the honor of being in at least two of the photos and this became my third one. I have a bone to pick with National HOG and a warning for the membership. The one immovable requirement needed to be a member of a Local HOG Chapter is to be a National HOG Member.

One of the benefits as a National member, you receive the bimonthly publication called “HOG Tales”. The magazine publishes photographs submitted by the various worldwide chapters of HOG showing the Club members and their sponsoring Dealership to the readers. To date, WE HAVE NEVER BEEN PUBLISHED by the magazine and it is NOT for a lack of trying. We have submitted many photos over the years; Clubs that have been in existence for only a month and with less than 20 members have been published already. So prepare yourself, I suspect we will continue to be the “Rodney Dangerfield” of the HOG community. Take pride in knowing you are a member of the best chapter and it will continue to be the best because of your participation even if National is not smart enough to know it or give us the respect. Know, the photograph will be displayed at Brian's along with the Club's memorabilia.

Tom B. writes in the April 2006 Newsletter:

The first “Welcome” ride was the idea of our newly appointed Safety Officer “Bald Jim” Skala in April 1998. As Safety Officer, Jim saw two major safety points that needed to be addressed for the beginning of a safe riding season, one, a riding skill refresher for individuals and two, an introduction to the group riding experience. The ride would provide these opportunities and more to the membership. Yes, I know, those furry Polar Bears are riding all the time but, for the majority of the club membership, this would be an opportunity to shake off the winter cobwebs from their riding skills before any long rides on the schedule occurred. For both new and old riders the ride would be a way to introduce them to group riding. The best of all, the ride would be a great opportunity for the new members to meet their fellow members and not be the “New” member for very long. The ride was a big success and continues today.

Two “Unofficial” club rides that have proved successful in the past with the membership and are being considered for re-introduction by the Club administration are the Wednesday night Coffee ride and the Sunday Breakfast ride.

In 1997, John “Fletch” Fletcher, discussed with the club, the idea of a short Coffee ride on a weeknight as a way to offer more opportunities for the membership to ride and not be locked into a weekend event. It's “Unofficial” status had its pros and cons. The ride did not have the protections (Insurance) nor the requirements (signed release forms) or advertising of an “Official” ride. You will not find the Wednesday Coffee ride in the ride schedules. As an “Unofficial” ride it depended on its leader for its existence. When Fletch was unable to continue the leadership of the ride, it quietly disappeared. At its height, the Coffee ride had better attendance than some of the Club's “Official” rides.

The Sunday Breakfast ride has always been “Unofficial”. When the Club met at the Hilltop Athletic Association, the association offered its membership a low cost Sunday breakfast menu and extended an invitation to the BC Hog members to attend. It was understood in the club, again no “Official” advertising, if Sunday was not a Club ride, the members could meet at Hilltop on Sunday for breakfast and plan a ride among themselves. Years later, we are now at the United German-Hungarian Club, who are not offering a breakfast, and the Polar Bears are having too much fun on Sunday to stop riding at the end of their season. In 1998, up steps “TJ” Berry to lead a Sunday breakfast ride. The first attendees were the Polar Bears and by word of mouth, more members start arriving on Sunday morning for a breakfast ride. The place for breakfast would be determined by the size of the group and suggestions were always invited. Again, like with Fletch, when TJ was no longer able to provide leadership, the Sunday breakfast ride faded away.

So, in the end, memorable rides begin and end with you the membership and your willingness to be an active member, from suggesting rides to attending the rides of the club.

Tom B. writes in the May 2006 Newsletter:

This year we are celebrating the Chapter's Twentieth Anniversary. As part of that celebration I will be writing about some of the highlights of the chapter's history.

One of the major topics of the April General Membership meeting was finalizing the Chapter's Twentieth Anniversary party plans. The results are as follows, on August 26, a scenic ride begins at Brian's through Bucks and Montgomery counties to the party destination at Mermaid Lake. The only thing the me mbers have to bring, is a party attitude, everything else will be there. The planning committee members have and continue to work hard putting the finishing touches to the festivities.

As Pam S., the Chapter Activities Director, stood before us, going down the checklist of issues for the Big Event with the membership, I was reminded of an earlier time.

It is 1996 and the Chapter is planning the Chapter's Tenth Anniversary party for June 23. The Activities Director, can you guess who, right the first time, Pam S. is hard at work. The Event Committee was the Chapter's Primary Officers and the Board of Directors. The Event Committee's number one goal was to have a celebration for all of the members. That meant no volunteers needed to work the event. The committee selected the “Neshaminy Shore Picnic Park” to be the host. The park catered the food and provided an extensive list of activities to satis fy everyone. The next goal was to strike a reasonable price with the park for the party. The Chapter Director, Steve Y., volunteered to negotiate a better price plan for the children. Neshaminy's policy set a child's age at seven, Steve was able to have the age raised to 12 for the club. The final price was $22 for adults and $11 for children. There would not be a ride to the site; the site was practically around the corner from Brian's location on Old Lincoln Highway, translation, a very, very short ride. The party would run from 11 am to 6 pm and food was available from Noon to 5 pm.

To add to the excitement, Mother Nature decided to play with the weather, June 1996 was a very wet month. Two weeks before the party, we had a week of very strong storms and the Neshaminy creek overflowed, flooding the Neshaminy Shore Picnic Park. It was not looking good and the committee was faced with coming up with a “Plan B” for the party. The Park assured the Chapter, it would be open by June 23rd and to their credit they came through.

Sadly, very few members came to the party; those who did had a great time. Some even got in touch with their inner child, although that wasn't what we called it then, and couldn't resist playing in the few remaining mud puddles left after the cleanup.

So don't miss this opportunity, and mark your calendar for the Twentieth Anniversary party. Remember to thank, Pam for all her work then and now, and the committee because this will be a great time again.

Tom B. writes in the June 2006 Newsletter:

In June, we will be holding the first of the club's Signature rides for this season, the 10th Annual Covered Bridge Ride. The hard work from the club's all volunteer crew of officers and members, with the help of our sponsoring Dealer, Brian's H-D, have made this is a famous and well attended ride each year. Clubs from as far as New York have come to this ride. It has become the major source of funding for the chapter's annual operations. It has developed a friendly rivalry between our chapter and our New Jersey neighbor the Burlington HOG Chapter over winning the “Best Represented” trophy offered by each.

The earliest record I have of the Chapter hosting a Covered Bridge ride is October 1, 1994. It was the last event in a series of Poker rides scheduled that year. The club was trying something new, a Poker ride series. The Grand winner was not determined until the three rides in the series had been completed. The first ride was on June 5th, and had a theme of “Rivers and Canals”, the second ride was held on July 10th, with an “Historic Sites” theme. On October 1st, after the Covered Bridge ride a Grand prize was awarded. The Poker ride series proved to be too complicated and more work than it was worth. It was never tried again.

Two lasting features of the Poker ride series have continued. The Covered Bridge ride and the Chapter ride pin commemorating the event. In 1988, the chapter had pins made for one of its events it did not happen again until 1994. Pins are not cheap.

If the pin has the “Harley” or “HOG” name, it is copyrighted, trademarked and licensed. What that means is, Harley must approve any use of their name and must actively protect their name. When it comes to pins, Harley has licensed only one company to make the pins using their name. If you want a Harley pin you must start early to move through the design, approval and finally to the manufacturing “ordering” process. The club learned all this the hard way, naturally, after we began the order with a local engraver and could not terminate the order. If you have one of the 1994 pins, officially it does not exist and the Chapter has no idea who made it. You will notice the current pins don't mention Harley.

The next time the Club hosted a Covered Bridge ride was on June 22, 1997. There has been a Covered Bridge ride every year since. Over the years, the ride has been revised (or in advertising terms, New and Improved), to its current design. It is at the Goldilocks level today, not to long, not to short, just right. This works for the majority of our riders.

I will end on this note.

I am not sure if this should really be the 10th or 9th annual ride. It is funny to note, the 1998 ride was advertised as the 3rd Annual Covered Bridge ride which would make this the 11th annual ride. I am not sure when annual events begin counting, any suggestions?

Tom B. writes in the July 2006 Newsletter:

I am going to write about an individual this time instead of the Club, bear with me.

Not all of you may know, but Harold Hummel, died on June 27, 2006. Services were held on June 29, 2006. He had been a member of Bucks County HOG since 1988 and was my friend. I want to thank the members that were able to attend his services on such short notice. His family expressed their appreciation for so many of Harold's motorcycling friends coming to say good-bye.

I met Harold in 1992, shortly after joining the club, the same way we meet new members today, from sitting around a table at the monthly meetings. In 1993, from a suggestion by Bud Peters, a mutual friend, we shared a motel room at the Northeast Regional HOG Rally in Lincoln, New Hampshire. This was our first long distance trip. We hit it off and starting making plans for more trips, the miles and years have added up. I just earned the 150,000 mile pin, Harold had his a long time ago.

Harold had been riding since he was a teenager. He was in the Army during the Korean conflict, but as luck would have it, he was stationed in Germany. Next he joined the phone company, married Helen and started a family, two boys and a girl. He sold the motorcycle and focused on the family. Once the children were in their late teens Harold returned to motorcycling and purchased a Sportster. In 1988, Harold bought the first of what would be his favorite Harley model an FLT, the Electra Glide Tour Glide.

After the Harley 100th Anniversary party, Harold announced the end of his interest in long distance trips. We stayed local to the PA State Rally rides. In May 2005, the riding stopped. After a medical procedure, Harold would not ride again.

Along the way, we saw friends in Maine, Texas, Colorado, Idaho and Washington. We saw National parks in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. We rode the Blue Ridge parkway and Skyline drive. We both even rode shotgun in a NASCAR race car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience during the 1999 Annual HOG rally.

This is what membership in a HOG Chapter offers, making friends and memories and now Harold is part of the chapter's history.

Contributors to this History page are:
Tom B.

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