What better name for a motorcycle club than AMERICAN SPIRIT! Not to disparage any other organization, but when we thought motorcycling we envisioned all that is uniquely American. Statistically, we, as a people, are the most nomadic in the world; picking up stakes, on average, every three to five years! Perhaps it is the compelling freedom of the road, the quest to find the proverbial greener grass or to simply quench the thirst of discovery. Whatever the cause, the spirit of exploration is constantly beckoning! And what better way to do it than on a motorcycle!
Members of our club have ridden to and enjoyed Daytona, Sturgis, Americade, Loconia and respectfully participated consistently in the Rolling Thunder Run for Freedom in our Nation’s capitol. We’ve been north to Maine, south to Florida, cruised the Black Hills and Badlands of the Dakotas, lost a bike in Wyoming, rode to the sun in Montana and crossed the border to Alberta moose country. Then northwest to Lake Louise; crisscrossed the Rocky Mountains, wound through Hurricane Utah, and Zion National Park. Some have passed through Mesquite, roasted in the desert to Las Vegas and did the dams. We’ve been inspired by the vastness and pure majesty of the Grand Canyon, looked for ghosts on Route 66, sought peaches in Georgia, pines in the Carolinas, Shenendoah and sweet home Alabama. Lastly, we continue to marvel at the beauty of our home state, from the sheer awesome power of Niagara to the serenity of the ocean at Orient.
When not off tilting at windmills, we are guilty of doing the “ride to eat, eat to ride” thing. Collectively, we could do a who is who and what is where relative to motorcycle dining. At one time there was a movement afoot to include eating utensils in our club patch. We meet every Sunday, starting, needless to say, at various diners. On a full stomach, we are active participants in many A.M.A. Road Riding District 34 events.
Speaking of the A.M.A. we are a chartered club (#06390) and proud members of District 34. Also, one of our members, Kathy Perretta, served as the District 34 Referee, and Tom Perretta was a past District President. In addition, we sponsor and organize A.M.A. Sanctioned Events annually, the American Spirit Tombstone Tour. This Poker Run type event wends its way through the beautiful North Shore, Gold Coast, of Long Island, NY. Contributions from the Tours benefit the efforts of AMVETS Post 18’s Hospitalized Veterans Fund. The AMVETS organize excursions out of the hospital environment for those individuals confined to extended care. The Vets particularly enjoy a Sunday Brunch and entertainment at Post# 18. Volunteers also provide a weekly Pizza Party at the Northport V.A. for the patients unable to leave the hospital. We have also sponsored the Monument and Mystery Tour to benefit the Family Support Group of the 69th Infantry. The 69th was activited for duty in Iraq. The motorcycling public’s participation and generous contributions to these programs are greatly appreciated.
Our constitution and by-laws follow the tenants of the American Motorcycle Association. Our founders ceremoniously put pen to paper and American Spirit M.C. was born on Election Day of 1993. Of the ten charter members, Kathy Perretta is the only member remaining in the NY metro area.
The criteria for membership they set forth was simple: Legally own and operate a motorcycle of at least 500cc, be a current member of, or join the A.M.A., ride with us for three months and if all parties are compatible, you’re part of the family. Most of our members have taken the MSF ERC and have applied what was taught with varying degrees of success. We love to ride, enjoy a good meal and family oriented entertainment.
Our members and their rides reflect the melting pot that is our society. We run the gamut; gender non-specific, thin as the proverbial rail to a little broad in the beam, white bearded and long in the tooth to not yet dry behind the ears. But most of all we’re friendly; come ride with us.
P.S. bring a knife and fork!
|
