About Us
The Twin Cities Motorcycle Club is a riding club that offers regularly scheduled rides throughout the riding season. Our club is made up of people who enjoy riding.It doesn't matter WHAT you ride, in the TCMC it only matters THAT you ride.
Our Events
Our monthly club rides are designed for riders of all skill levels. They are about 150 miles in length, and have a food stop, and rest stops as appropriate. Each ride is designed in two parts. The first half is appropriate all riders, after lunch the route tends to be of a faster pace, and more technical. If you need to leave the ride early, we're never too far from the fastest way home.
Our weeknight night rides are generally around 30 miles, or about an hour in length.
Safety is our main concern with rides. Each ride is preridden, and staffed with trained ride officers.
Weather
The weather may present additional challenges for some events. Each event has a contact person listed in the event who will make the final call if an event is going to be canceled due to weather. If the website has not been updated with a cancellation, consider the event is still a go. Any questions, call the event contact.
In the case of severe weather (sirens blaring), be safe, and stay at home.
Our Members
The Twin Cities Motorcycle Club is open to members from all walks of life. We enjoy a diverse group of people who all love to ride.
We do not discriminate membership based on race, sex, or model of motorcycle. All riders are welcome. This is a riding club. Going on rides is our main purpose.
The club website is not a public motorcycle message board, and the club is not a dating service. Sure, people meet on rides, and who knows what may spring from that. But if you are here to meet Miss/Mr Right, there are more appropriate venues.
If we receive a complaint that someone is "trolling" the membership, that person's membership will be removed.
Membership
To join the Twin Cities Motorcycle Club, simply attend one of our posted rides. If you enjoy it, ask one of the ride officers for more information. There are no dues to pay, yet every month you have the opportunity to win something from one of our sponsors!
Why do we do it this way? We figure if you show up for one ride, you'll show up for more!
Our requirements for becoming and staying a member are pretty loose. We understand that people have busy schedules and lives to lead. If you are able to attend one ride a year, or all of them, it's ok. We just ask that you visit the website at least once every three months, and make at least one scheduled ride a year.
If you should happen to fall on the inactive list, you will receive an email stating so, and a date will be given for when the access will be revoked. If you should happen to be removed, do not take it personally. A lot of people join to have a look at the site, but we never see hide nor hair of them. This process "trues" up our numbers, and keeps the membership accurate.
Please make sure that you are familiar with the About Us (this page) and the TCMC Group Riding Primer.
These rules are important to make sure we are all on the same page. If you have any questions as to the rules and policies, please let us know.
Liability
When you join meetup.com's site you agree to Meetup's Terms of Service. These terms indemnify the TCMC and it’s members from responsibility. Members are responsible for their own actions. If you act in a manner that endangers the safety of others, you will be ejected from the ride. The club's Ride Officers are there for your safety. If you see someone acting in an unsafe manner, let one of them know. The ride's leader is there to address issues.
RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
TCMC Gear
There's two ways to get your TCMC gear.
1. TCMC Mobile Store - at rides, "Our Gearless Leader" Keith carries a tour bag full of shirts, patches, flags, and whatever else he can get the TCMC logo on. Check out the designs at http://www.twincitiesmotorcycleclub.com/cart
2. Basic black not your style? That's cool. We’ve got another option, simply click on a design at http://www.twincitiesmotorcycleclub.com/store, and you'll be taken to one of our Cafepress.com stores. They will print, and ship your order on the fly.
SPAM / Solicitation / Promotion
Please don't ask for donations to your favorite charity, solicit business or a loan to pay your electric bill. Don't ask us to vote for you, buy Girl Scout cookies, find you a job, join your cult or date your mom. Don't suggest outlaw, or outlaw attended events.
We offer a number of ways for local area businesses to sponsor the club, and advertise to the members of the TCMC. If you send spam (unsolicited email), or solicit the membership, your membership will IMMEDIATELY be removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Ride Officers and what do they do?
The Officers serve to keep the line of bikes together. They block intersections as appropriate, and mark corners should the line be broken.
Now that I've joined, what do I need to do?
Be familiar with the About Us and TCMC Group Riding Primer.
Always show up at rides with a full tank. We usually start the rides near a gas station, so fuel up before showing up. If you do need to fill up during a ride, be sure to do so BEFORE the ride is leaving the lunch stop.
Show up 15 minutes early, we always do a preride speech, and it’s important not to miss those details.
Lastly, find a spot in line. Newer riders should ride towards the back of the line, and more experienced riders to the front.
Everyone should RIDE THEIR OWN RIDE. Do not push yourself to ride outside of your experience/skill level.
What happens if I break down on a ride?
An Officer of the club will stop and make sure that you are ok. If you require more than a quick tinker, they will make sure you are able to get a hold of help before rejoining the ride.
I don't know if group riding is for me. What should I do?
Be sure to go to some weeknight rides to get a feel for how the TCMC operates. The rides are shorter, and tend to be smaller in size. If you are new to group riding, be sure to be honest when asked. This can put the whole group at risk.
What if I can't make the start of the ride?
The lunch location is always listed on the ride’s details. Meet us there.
What if I can't do the whole ride?
Please let an Officer know that you will be leaving the line. And when you do, give the line a courteousy wave to let them know you are OK. If you need to know the best way home, speak with the ride leader for directions at a scheduled stop.
The person in front of / behind me, is pissing me off. What do I do?
Use the hand signals from the TCMC Group Riding Primer, to tell them to speed up/slow down, as appropriate. At the next scheduled stop, pick a different spot in line to ride. Inform an Officer of their behavior.
I'm having a great time riding with the club. What can I do?
Buy a t-shirt, and show off your club! Money from t-shirt and merchandise sales allow the club keep going, have giveaways, and expand the line of merchandise. If you have something that you’d like to see the club logo on, let us know!