| The Rocky Bow BMW Riders motorcycle club began in 1988. The club was originally named Club Motospezial, and was formed by Roger and Suzanne Rueben. Roger and Suzanne operated a BMW dealership in Cochrane named Motospezial. Roger is a longtime BMWMOA member and ambassador. He decided that he would like to form an MOA chartered club and hold a rally. |
| The first rally was held in 1988 at Rafter Six Guest Ranch, with around 200 people attending. Many of the attendees that first year commented that the main attraction that drew them to the rally was the name “Lunatic Fringe”. The curious Americans had to see what us Canadians were up to! Voni Glaves, now known for her many miles ridden each year, attended that first rally. It was one of her first solo trips, and she still talks about Steve and Butch helping her change her oil. |
| One tradition started that first year was the rally pin. We have a “headdress” pin which is the pin everyone receives the first time they attend our rally. Each year there is also a “year” pin, which is a pin with a different model BMW motorcycle each year. In 1989, the rally site changed to Camp Gardner, the Boy Scout camp near Bragg Creek. Following the 1989 rally, the members voted to change the club name to Rocky Bow BMW Riders. The first “executive” for Rocky Bow was Brian Meyers (Pres.), John Whitby (Vice Pres.), Dave Karafil (Treas), and Terry Buechler (Rally chair). The other original members were Jim Newland, Gloria Newland, Butch Buechler, Pierre Trottier, Winnie Trottier, and Ed Becker. |
| The rally was held at Camp Gardner for five years, from 1989 to 1993. 1990 saw the beginning of the rally tradition of doing our own catering. Pierre, Butch, Winnie and Terry (with lots of helpers) did a lot of cooking that year, and it worked out so well that we have continued. Pierre made the barbeques that year, and we still use them for our traditional steak supper on the final evening of the rally. We have had a few different “steak chefs” over the years. The best known is Dave Swisher, the “million mile man”. Dave has been our most consistent volunteer for the task of cooking as many as 278 steaks for one meal. The attendance figure of 278 in 1998 is the highest we have had over the years. |
| Dave Swisher is also the Prime Minister of our club. We think having a prime minister is more appropriate than a president, since we are Canadian, eh. |
| The rally was moved to Didsbury for 1994, 1995 and 1996. 1995 was the year of the “winter rally”. It was held in July, but it rained the whole time and the temperature was seldom over ten degrees Celsius. Morning temperatures were about three degrees!!! Kit Vercella attended that year. He lived in Alaska then and was the only one brave enough to wear shorts (as he stood by the campfire!) Finally Sunday morning the rain quit as everyone was packing up to leave. We have had our share of rainy rallies over the years, but 1995 remains the worst ever weatherwise. |
| 1997 saw the rally moved again, this time to Millarville Racetrack, where it remained for the next four years. 1997 was also the tenth anniversary for the rally. There were four people in attendance that year who had attended all ten rallies, Dave Karafil, Sheldon Gerbrandt, Butch Buechler and Terry Buechler. |
| In 2001 we moved to High River, which will also be the rally site for 2002. The challenge continues to be to find rally sites that are suitable for the riders and campers and also accommodate the cooking and serving of the meals. |
| 2002 will also be the 15th anniversary of the rally. Come join us, we have lots of fun, lots of food, and a genuine good time. |
| Terry Buechler |
| BMWMOA and BMWRA Area Ambassador |