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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2003)
42 J u s t o u t » february 7. 2003 eatingout eatingout eatingout eatingout B om to be wild: Bill Bender and the Border Riders M otorcycle Club celebrate 33 years of hard ridin’ Feb. 14 to 16 Get your motor runnin' UITR CHFE Serving fresh panini sandwiches. Delicious homemade soups & bold salads. Local hormone free beef burgers Many specialty & breakfast items too! Using local & organic ingrediants. Local organic beer, wine, & fresh juices. Spacious booths for groups and always quick service. Yummy kids menu! Now Open 10-5 Weekdays & 8-5 Sat. - Sun. Expanded breakfast menu 3024 NE Alberta + 503-335-8233 Hours: Lunch - M-F 11-5 Supper - Tue-Sat 5-2 Sun & Mon 5-10 Breakfast - Sat & Sun 8-3 FOR A GREAT STEAK, LOOK FOR THE REVOLVING STEAK SIGN EXCEPT IN BEAVERTON, W HERE THE CITY W O U L D N ’T LET US HAVE ONE 1ds °ffan ,u ies s">ce ! 946 .. s ■ SdAfUnA Our revolving steak sign has become a landmark in Portland. A sign o f quality. Where you know you can get a great steak dinner at a fair price. Unfortunately, h v couldn I get that same sign in Beaverton. But honestly, we re not that hard to find OLD COUNTRY KITCHEN home o f the 72 oz. steak 105th & SE Stark • 503-252-417/ - Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy at Griffith Dr. - 503-644-1492 he sun and wind tighten the skin on your face as you fly down the landscape. Beneath you, a growling beast of metal and rubber moves you down the road with smooth and simple ease. Around you— the Cascades, the Pacific, the interior valleys, Douglas fir and Sitka spruce, a happy tavem ed evening, a midnight camp ground with the fiery faces of your mates and the laughter and banter of a long, jovial ride. Sound a bit like heaven? Maybe you belong in Border Riders. Formed in 1969— the year Easy Ruler was released— the Border Riders Motorcycle Club is the longest-running queer activity group in Portland. Founded by a dozen or so gay m otor cycle lovers from all over the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, its purpose is to “provide a social fraternity for gay men and their friends interested in recreational motorcycle touring in the Pacific Northwest.” But those parameters don’t stop others beyond those borders from traveling here to ride. “We have members in Palm Springs, Aus tralia— all over,” says retired parole officer Bill Bender. He’s been a member and a motorcycle lover for two years. “1 came out late in life," he explains. “Met some leather folks, which led to camping out with the Border Riders and eventually....” Bender’s smile is infectious. He pronounces “motorcycle” like “motor-sickle"— the preroga tive of a seasoned rider. He rubs his close- cropped hair; his leather jacket squeaks. “It t<x)k me about six months, Uxtking at motor-sickles,” he continues. “I don’t know if it’s a male ego thing or what, but I decided 1 i Border Riders Motorcycle Club's 33rd Anniversary Party _ • Meet & G reet: 8 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Eagle PDX, 1300 W. Bum- I w r i side St. For anyone interested in motor- cycling or leatherwear. Munchies provided. v • A nniversary Banquet: Feb. 15 at Port lander Inn, 10350 N. Vancouver Way. Meeting and announcem ents at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. is $35. Slide show and reminiscence of last year’s rides starts at 8 p.m. • A nniversary B runch: 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at Delta Park Elmer’s, 9848 N. W hitaker Road. Register as soon as possible by calling Jeff at 503-283-4903. Head out on the highway with Border Riders by G lenn W il l ia m s wanted a Harley. I’ve been on it every day for the last two years.” In Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, Border Riders meet on weekends in the summer months and have monthly runs to the mountains, the coast and other places. The club emphasizes safety consciousness: “We don’t condone drinking or drugging and rid ing,” Bender asserts. A lthough essentially a gay m en’s organiza tion, members insist the rides are open to everyone. They often include lesbian friends, straight bikers and companions. “You don’t really even have to have a motorcycle,” Bender admits. “Folks come in a camper or anything. It’s pretty much about the ride.” Deb Odenrider, the handsome, dimple-faced, handlebar-mustached president of Border Riders, agrees. “It’s about...sitting, talking by the fire, telling stories or joking with one another. O r talking about the day’s ride and where we ate!” Odenrider’s face crinkles into a deep grin. “It’s amazing how many gay men ride bikes from around the country,” he continues. “I’ve met up with a group that goes to Sturgis every year [a huge motorcycle rally in South Dakota], where all walks of life show up.” T he grin gets wider. “This is one big adult party.” But, he adds, “th a t’s another story.” T he Seattle man and owner of a 1974 Harley Sporty XLF1 1000 has been riding for 11 years. “T he community that binds us is the love of motorcycling and the enjoyment that comes from touring some of the best roads for biking in C anada and the U .S.A .” Most people join by taking a weekend ride and getting a current member’s sponsorship. T hen it’s just $45 a year, which comes with a well-put-together newsletter. “If you like motorcycles, you should ride with us," Bender encourages. “See if you like it." . And, wouldn’t you know it, you can do just that at the Border Riders 33rd Anniversary « « Party, which comes to Portland from Feb. 14 to 16. Members will shcx)t the breeze with you alxxjt the club, the rides and the bikes. “I just have fun," Bender smiles. “It’s that freedom you feel when you’re on that bike, going down that road. T h a t’s what got me going in the first place.” J H Visit the B order R iders M otorcycle C lub at www. hordemders. com. G lenn W illiams writes poetry, prose, plays, peritxlica and pom from Portland.
