A Quick Look Back, Pt. 2: 1990 - 1995 |
The history of Riders Motorcycle Club of Boston is shown on the 4 pages listed below:
- A Quick Look Back, Pt. 1: 1984 - 1989
- A Quick Look Back, Pt. 2: 1990 - 1995
- A Quick Look Back, Pt. 3: 1996 - 1999
- A Quick Look Back, Pt. 4: 2000 - present
1990
Riders leadership team included: Jeff Zirpolo, Captain; P.J. Coache, Treasurer; Scott Coviello, Scribe; Courtney Furno, Bob Walsh, Bob Long, and Marc Belisle, Road Captain. In July, Scott Coviello passed away. Dennis Sampson was appointed Scribe. Dennis Samson led the troops to Montreal for the second straight year. A $500 3-bike trailer was purchased for club property as a part of a support vehicle. Dan Hardy made his last run to Hill, NH, and passed away shortly thereafter. The club sponsored the Mr. Boston Leather contest again, and this year our winner, Mark Ryan, won in Chicago. The club also repeated the Mr. New England Drummer at the Villa Victoria. Our first panel of the International AIDS Memorial Quilt, had the names of Fallen Riders Scott Coviello, J.J. Smith, and Mike Toomey inscribed. Memorable events included Dennis Samson blessing the bikes in the Ramrod and the Holiday dinner prepared by Bob Walsh and held at the Ramrod. A different event was held at the Ramrod to facilitate fundraising for PWA's. The Captain's Cup was awarded to Dennis Samson for his love and generosity, contributions over the year. New destinations included the Berkshires. The membership was held at about 85.
1991
Riders officers this year were: Bob Walsh, Captain; Tom Hunt, Scribe; Jim Conroy, Treasurer; George Souza, Marc Belisle, Dennis Samson, P.J. Coache and Glenn Mushnick, Road Captains. Also a new positon of Safety Officer was created with Bart Foster serving this year. Destinations included Brattleboro, VT, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Montreal, and Provincetown. Although Mr. Boston Leather was a success for the club, Mr. New England Drummer was not. It was a shared financial disaster at the Cyclorama Arts Center for Riders M.C. and dreizehn (Boston's SM and Leather Club) The season also saw the inclusion of membership dues of $10, and the change of election dates. Due to financial problems too numerous and ugly to list involving the senior officers, Jim Conroy felt compelled to resign as treasurer. He was replaced by Mike Benecick, who cleaned up the financial quagmire created by the governing administration. The Christmas dinner was held at Dennis Samson with great color and ceremony. Some officers of Riders departed from Riders to form another club, the Iron Eagles, after the annual elections. A fundraiser consisting of a pie toss was held. A donation from the Estate of Fallen Rider Dan Hardy in the amount of $1000 was recieved. The Captain's Cup was presented to Tom Hunt in recognition of his efforts to re-vamp the newsletter. Membership dropped with the addition of annual dues to about 60.
1992
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Officers this year were: Mike Merchant, Captain; Mike Benecick, Treasurer, Neil Allwood, Scribe; Rick Edson, Safety Officer; George Souza, Gerry O'Brien, Rick Baglione, and Steve Wellman, Road Captains. There were two new positions added with Marc Belisle as Quartermaster (property manager), and Jim Conroy as Public Relations Officer. Emergency road service numbers are added for member convenience. Membership resolved to enact bylaws. Membership dues were increased to $25. The winter coat room and fundraisers helped Riders M.C. to recover financial stability. A free Anniversary Dinner was held to celebrate the start of the 5th riding season at Joseph's in Woburn. Members were also given new registered keychains and colors. Fallen Riders were remembered respectfully at this dinner. New destinations include Quebec, New London, CT, and Newport, RI. Due to failing health, Rick Baglione resigns as Road Captain. Alan Paonessa replaces Rick as Road Captain. New T-shirts are prepared with full-color club colors, CB Radios are purchased for club use. A buffet-style Holiday Party is arranged by David Oliver and Mark Nelson at the Gloucester grange hall, and is held in January due to a snowstorm. Membership is maintained at about 65.
1993
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Officers this year were: Neil Allwood, Captain; Mike Benecick, Treasurer; John Becanitch, Scribe; Rick Edson, Safety Officer; Gerry O'Brien, Steve Wellman, Steve Morrison, Jeff Tucker and David Oliver, Road Captains; Marc Belisle, Quartermaster; and Gerry O'Brien, Public Relations. The Mr. Boston Leather contest raised money for the club and the Hospice at Mission Hill as well. The Anniversary Dinner was held at the Victoria Station in Burlington, and leisurely ride led by Jim MacDonald preceeding it. Several trips were made to Providence RI for club nights at the Yukon Trading Co. One member, Gerry O'Brien, met up with our friends, Empire City Motorcycle Club, in New York for a trip to Valinor Farms, PA during May. Unfortunately, some trips were cancelled due to weather or other factors, including trips to: Rocky Point Amusement Park,· New York City, Sebago Lake, Laconia, Whitewater Rafting, Fall River, Burlington VT, and Martha's Vineyard. A group of Riders attended the Americade Touring Rally in Lake George NY. After the Americade Rally, a smaller group traveled onward to Louisville KY, for a Gold Wing Rally and Grateful Dead concert. A trip was made during the 4th of July weekend to Valinor Farms in PA, and Riders hosted several motorcycle and leather clubs. New member Larry Lamond hosted a wonderful weekend in July at his home in upstate ME. Larry made sure everyone had a good time and led us on a run through the wilds of ME. A pair of Riders made a trip to Crane's Beach in Ipswich for an afternoon. During August, a new destination was tried. Several Riders traveled to Maine and ferried across the Bay of Fundy to Nova Scotia. They then traveled around the penninsula and back through New Brunswick and down through Maine. A pair from this group opted to skip the New Brunswick portion and headed back to Maine directly. Riders made the third annual trip to Lewiston ME, to the Richmond Corners sauna for a weekend in September. Some communications problems almost prevented Riders from making our visit to the Topsfield Fair in October, but the pair that attended had a good time. A final winding run was made to King Richard's Faire in Carver during mid-October. Riders always enjoy themselves at this run. A Halloween Horribles run was not possible on bikes due to rain, but Riders played dress-up at the Ramrod and had a great time. The year was wrapped up in December at the Annual Holiday Party and Elections, held at Donatello Ristorante in Saugus.
1994
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Officers for this year were: Gerry O'Brien, Captain; Jeff Tucker, Secretary; Marc Belisle, Treasurer; Rick Edson, Safety Officer; Roger Laton, David Oliver, Steve Wellman, and Jeff Zirpolo, Road Captains; Roger Laton, Quartermaster; Steve Morrison, Public Relations. Our riding season was a very ambitious one this year. We began with an Anniversary Weekend that featured a blessing of bikes, our third annual Poker Run and a Dinner Run at the Mt.Vernon Restaurant in Charlestown. Over Memorial Day we went to NYC to join up with Empire City M.C., for their annual Biker Weekend celebration in the city and at Valinor Farms in PA. In June we headed out to Lake George and Americade Rally. Gay Pride was a 'riotous' affair and saw the adoption of a requirement that members submit proof of license and registration each year. In July, we went skinny dipping in the Berkshires and in southern Vermont, and fought off the black flies in Milo ME. In August, Montreal suffered the explosive arrival of Riders M.C. to their fair city. In September, we renewed our long-time friendship with Mooncussers M.C. of Provincetown, enjoying the hospitality of Chancellor Inn and Bemie Mackey. Pig wrestling, tractor pulling and fancy rigs kept members enthralled at the Topsfield Fair in October. Also, we journeyed south again to take part in Empire City M.C.'s thirtieth Anniversary Bash, which included a dinner cruise around NYC harbor. On our own, we headed out after the celebration for a couple of days of R&R at Valinor Farm. The riding season ended with a long run to King Richard's Faire in October. Several day runs had to be canceled due to weather or lack of interest. We held an evening social run every month from April to October. The softball tournament was not held this year, so our fundraising was limited to Mr. Boston Leather in April and the coat room.at the Ramrod in October to April. In December, we had our awards and elections at a dinner held at Justin's Hearthside in Hanover MA. VVe also commemorated our fallen members with a new plaque. Three names were added this year: Roger Laton, Marc Johnson, and P.J. Coache. An Appreciation Plaque was presented to the Ramrod for its support over the last 1O years. The Captain's Cup was presented this year and the member chosen to be so specially honored was Marc Belisle. For the first time in several years the most miles in a season award was not scooped up by Jim Conroy. Papa Smurf took away the honors (age and treachery outdoes youth and enthusiasm every time!!)
1995
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Officers for this year were: Gerry O'Brien, Captain; Steven Duguay, Secretary; Marc Belisle, Treasurer; Rick Edson, Safety Officer; Bob Barden, Alan Paonessa, Marc Silver, Steve Wellman, Road Captains; Marc Belisle, Quartermaster; Steve Morrison, Public Relations. Riders had a change this year: the P.O. Box was changed from Newton/Boston to Kenmore Sq, Boston. Riders mourned the loss of another Fallen Rider, Robert Kuntzsch. The Mr. Boston Leather contest was put together by Marc Silver, Steven Duguay, and Taylor Mitchell. Gerry O'Brien and company put together our Anniversary Weekend celebration at the Boston Ramrod (poker run and pizza party), Club 9-11 (night ride), Jesuit Urban Center (Blessing of Bikes Rite), and The Claddagh (Dinner). Steve Morrison put together a trip to Fall River, MA (Public Relations, indeed-or so thought the Boy Scout camp over)! Steve Duguay led our contingent at the Gay Pride parade in Boston. Jim Lucibello led a GDI-style group to Laconia, NH for the annual motorcycle craziness. Rick Edson led Riders on their pilgrimage to the temple of touring Americade this year. Riders also made return visits to: the Berkshires, led by Alan Paonessa; Provincetown, led by Bob Barden; NYC / Valinor Farms, PA; along with many evening social runs. Riders foged a new friendship with the men of the AMGQ (Association Motocyclistes Gaie Quebec >?sp). This friendship would grow over the following years. Riders also went camping and canoeing in Maine, also by Alan P. The annual Elections and Holiday Party was held at the Piccolo Venezia in the North End.
On to Pt. 3: 1996 - 1999
