What kind of motorcycle club is Sport Touring MC?
Sport Touring Motorcycle Club (STMC) is an all-brands club that emphasizes the “sport” in sport touring.  We encourage all riders to continually improve their technical skills and mental sharpness.

Can I ride with STMC before joining the club?
We’d have it no other way.   The best way to learn if STMC is right for you is to contact one of the members listed below before joining us for a Sunday ride.

A brief phone call will let you know what to expect on Sunday morning, and can help make your first ride with STMC both safe and enjoyable.  Arrive at the starting point with a bike in good condition, with good tires and brakes and a FULL gas tank.  Riders must wear Proper Protective Gear, including an approved helmet (full-face preferred), leather or ballistic (textile) type nylon motorcycle jacket (with armor preferred), gloves and leather boots that are at least ankle-high, and  leather or ballistic (textile) type pants.

How do I become a member?
Before joining the club, you should first and foremost, join us for a few rides. This will give you a chance to see if STMC is right for you. After we get to know each other a bit, make your interest in becoming a member known to one of the "Bored of Directors" on a Sunday ride. We'll handle the rest. If your request for membership gets a "thumbs-up" from club members, you'll be sent a membership application to fill out and return. After that, it's official!

Does STMC care what kind of bike I ride?
No, STMC does not care what kind of bike you ride, as long as it is street legal and in good working order.

How many members does STMC have?
Currently STMC has more than 70 members.

How much does a membership cost?
First-year dues are $30; $25 thereafter.

What are STMC's ride rules?
The complete list is available under Riding Rules.  Basically, riders should “Ride Their Own Ride.” Riders are responsible for the rider BEHIND them.  All riders must wait at turns until it is clear the rider behind them has seen them turn.  There is no passing of other riders while under way.  Forward riders should not wave following riders around cars, even when the forward rider can see further down the road.  Trailing riders should not act on any such signals.  Riders must maintain at least a two-second cushion between bikes.

What obligations are members expected to take on?
A member's only obligation to STMC is to keep his bike and his skills well-maintained so that it is safe for others to ride in his/her vicinity. Each member's input into club affairs is actively sought, but participation in the workings of the club is not a requirement.

How do you prevent riders from getting separated and lost?
Riders must wait at each turn until it is clear to them that the rider immediately behind them sees them at the turn.

What should I wear on an STMC ride? 
While STMC embraces the concept of individual freedom of choice, crashes can and DO happen on club rides.  The majority of these incidents involve riders drifting wide in turns and running off the road surface.  Riders wearing Proper Protective Gear (approved helmet (full-face preferred), leather or ballistic (textile) type nylon motorcycle jacket and pants (with armor preferred), quality gloves (no fingerless, please) and leather boots that are at least ankle-high stand a much better chance of surviving a fall.

Can I have a drink or a beer with lunch?
In a word, no. STMC does not condone drinking of alcoholic beverages, using controlled substances, or the use of prescription or over the counter drugs (if those medications tend to induce drowsiness) while on club rides.  Riders who consume alcoholic beverages or use drugs during a stop will not be permitted to continue riding with the club.

What if I don't want to go on the entire ride?
Riders may leave a club ride at any point, but we ask that you signal your intentions to another rider before leaving. This is very helpful in that we won't waste valuable riding time trying to find a rider who is presumed to be lost, but who has merely left for home.

What if I want to head home after lunch?
Many riders choose to do so.  You will usually have company “slabbing it” back after lunch during any club ride.
 
Why don't you start your rides earlier in the day?
Good question.  Most STMC rides meet at 9:00 AM and depart around 9:30 AM.  However,  since the start time and start point can change each week it's always a good idea to call the STMC Hotline at (201) 487-4958 at least one day prior to the ride.

Why do you start your rides so early?
Dude, you’d better keep the Saturday night partying to a dull roar. J

How many riders are on a typical ride?
Usually 15 – 20.  We try to divide this number into smaller riding groups of 5 – 6 bikes each.

What kinds of bikes do club members ride?
Anything with two wheels that is well maintained.  This includes everything from Aprilias to Harleys, Hondas, Ducati's and BMW's (actually, lots of BMW's!)

What kinds of roads does the club ride on, mostly?
STMC prefers two-lane back roads in rural areas from the Poconos to northwest New Jersey to the Catskills to Dutchess County to Connecticut and even western Massachusetts.

How fast do you guys ride?
This is a highly subjective question.  Generally, STMC rides in a safe, but spirited manner that may not be comfortable for riders of lesser experience. 

Would STMC welcome my help and input in club activities?
Absolutely. STMC welcomes input from members and non-member alike with club activities and at club meetings.  We encourage all members to get involved with STMC by coming to our regular meetings held on the second Tuesday of each month.

Where and when are STMC meetings held?
STMC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Fireplace Restaurant, Route 17 north, Paramus, NJ (at Ridgewood Avenue).  We meet in the upstairs area near the pizza counter.  Try to arrive around 7:00 PM if you want to eat as the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM. 

How can I find out about STMC Rides and events?
Check us out on the web at www.sporttouringmc.com or call the 24-hour hotline at (201) 487-4958.