By Founding Member Earl Mattingly.
Written in June 1996

In the late seventies and early eighties, I rode with my son and his friends, all of whom owned a variety of motorcycles, a Honda 750, a Yamaha 1100, a Suzuki 650, a Kawasaki 1000 and myself on a BMW R100/7. We rode mostly on day trips with an occasional overnight campout. I wanted more riding time, therefore, I often rode alone.

An acquaintance told me about a club for riders over 40 and owning any brand of bike. These were the Retreads and their club was a loosely knit organization. I joined them, but it seemed like we lacked a common denominator. I mean, who wants to talk about Harleys and Hondas all the time. I encouraged the Beemer riders to join a BMW club. There was no local club, so I organized one. Ozzie's BMW Center, Joe Sarkee's Motorcycles, And J,& J Precision Cycle Works helped a great deal by giving me the names of BMW owners in this area. I sent postcards to each, informing them of a meeting to be held in Carmichael Park on Halloween 1982 to discuss formation of a club. Thirty-one riders attended and most all liked the idea of a local BMW club.

I tried to get a volunteer to take this group and build a club as recommended by the majority of members. No one volunteered and several persons suggested that I serve as Director, Leader, or whatever, and we would change every six months. After each six months, there was no one that wanted the job. We were a loosely knit group with no officers, no business meetings, and no dues. I published a newsletter and collected $5.00 a year from those that wanted the newsletter. Everyone subscribed. As we grew in numbers, it was clear that everyone liked the club as it was. We were known as the NO NAME BMW CLUB.

Some thought we should have a more meaningful club name. The January 83 newsletter asked for recommendations for a club name. You won't believe some of those proposed names but here they are: Ace BMW Club; Bavarian Shaft Drivers; Beemers; Beemer Butt Busters; Beemer Cycle Riders; Beemer Gleaners, Beemer Motorcycle Wanderers; Beemers of the North; Beemer Riders; Beemer Steamers; Beamer Riders Around Sutterville Slough; Beemers of Sutterville Slough; BMW Club of Superior California; BMW Cruisers; BMW Love Gods; BMW Owners-Riders-Enthusiasts; BMW Road Runners; Capital BMW Club; Capital BMW Riders; Capital City Cycle Riders; Central Valley Vagabonds; Cruisers; Eager Beemers; Frolic Beemers; Gold Country BMW Riders; Gold Trails BMW Club; Happy Riders; Jugg's' Nomad BMW Riders; Northern California BMW Owners; Northern Lights; Opposed Twin Flyers; PRO Club Riders; Sacramento Beemers; Sierra BMW Association; Sierra BMW Riders; Sierra BMW Wanderers; Super Snails; Tip Top BMW Club; Two Wheel Touring Club and Valley Beemer Riders. River City Beemers was the popular choice. Two names were tied for runner-up. NO NAME BMW CLUB and RIVER CITY BMW CLUB.

The first membership roster in they January 1983 newsletter listed 53 members. Charter members that are still with us are Rick Blake, Rocky Calvello, Richard Dean, Ken Gerard, Earl Mattingly, Bruce Parrish. Bud Phelps, Bill Riviere, Kirk Stubbs, and Pete Wilbert. Earl Compton was also a charter member and he passed away last week (June 1996). I want to give credit to Matt Smith, who contributed many tech articles, and my wife Deniece, who did the typing, stamping and mailing of the newsletter (Deniece passed away in July of 1997).

{editor notes:  Earl served as director of the club until January of 1989 and is still active in the club.