Original Post Date: 3-18-2008

In the banquet room of the Cranberry Tree restaurant, 20-some members of what may be Skagit County’s oldest riding club gather for their monthly meeting. Most arrive on their bikes in anticipation of the after-meeting ride despite the cold, wet and gray weather. Inside, the fireplace and the people make for a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Over breakfast the conversations range from summer ride ideas (Selkirk Loop?) to British bikes and vintage warbirds. These folks have been riding together a long time. Ride Captain Ralph Scott, who, if I understood correctly, is approaching 80 years old, filled me in some of the club’s history.

“Our organization has its beginnings in the old, defunct “Venture Motorcycle Club.” After Yamaha ceased production of the old Venture their club also ceased activity.” Scott told me. “The old stalwarts from this area stayed together and as a result formed our current group. We’ve been riding together for a lot of years since and have enjoyed riding and each other for all those years. Our membership is small, with usually about twenty members, consisting of men and women who enjoy local as well as touring activities. We are people who value our individuality, social togetherness and strongly shy away from a political atmosphere in our club.”

After a brief discussion about weather conditions, the planned ride around the Darrington Loop is scrubbed in favor of heading west and down Whidbey Island to Coupeville. Alas, other obligations prevent me from joining the ride. But good conversation and comradery have made their impression. This is my kind of group and I will be back.

The Skagit Motorcycle Touring Group meets at 8:30 am on the third Sunday of each month at the Cranberry Tree restaurant in Mount Vernon.