History of the Retreads® Motorcycle
Club International
(as taken froom the web site above)
The RETREADS® started late in 1969 when George Spidel of El Cajon,
CA (then a Master Chief with over 25 years in the Navy) happened to read a letter to the editor in a national motorcycle publication.
The contents of the letter are long forgotten, but the writer's signature stirred George's curiosity; it was signed "Sheep
Dip." George wrote to the magazine with the request that it forward his letter to Sheep Dip, but instead, it published his
letter in its entirety with the explanation that it was not a clearing house for letter writers. But they did publish George's
address. Sheep Dip never answered, but five other motorcyclists did: Bob House of Topeka, KS; "Kanney" Brown of PA; Maurgaurity
Laughland of London, England; Jack LeCain of British Columbia, Canada; and Ludwig Speidel of Quebec, Canada. Photo's of
the original 6 Retread® are shown in the article posted on the Rhode Island Retreads® web site at:
http://www.ri_retreads.homestead.com/RetreadsHistory.html.
George made copies of those letters and sent them to the other five.
Then he copied the answers to those and sent them out again. Before long it was a regular thing for these six geographically
separated riders to write each other. George Xeroxed the letters and circulated them to the entire group. In time the group
agreed that they should form a correspondence motorcycle club called the "RETREADS®". An inquiry to the AMA for a charter
brought the information that they would have to have ten members in order to qualify. Once again George appealed to the Letters
column of the motorcycle press and soon after, ten kindred spirits applied for their AMA charter. They became a formal club
in July of 1970. This included Retread® members: Patriach Al Bullard of OR; Fred Folley of London, England; Jan Bouwma
of Netherlands; Vern Eanes of Salisbury, NC; C. W. Snyder of Three Springs,
PA; and Ted & Lil Collett of South Africa. Photo's of the additional original Retread® members are shown
in the article posted on the Rhode Island Retreads® web site at:
http://www.ri_retreads.homestead.com/RetreadsHistory.html.
Although the members of similar, special interest groups
correspond with one another through the mails, the main means of communication for the RETREADS® was through a monthly newsletter
called the "RECAP" (another name given retreaded tires). George was the publisher and used letters from the many members as
the principle source of material. Today, the RECAP no longer exists and RETREAD® news is now distributed through the Local
Newsletters and/or Web Pages published by the Reps of the individual States or Provinces. The RETREADS® today have members
in countries all around the world.
George was the first President of the RETREAD® organization. He held office from
1969 to 1974, and again from 1978 to 1981. Bob House then took over the reins and held them until Larry and Marlene Patton,
present President and Secretary respectively, took over. The RETREADS® MOTORCYCLE CLUB INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a Chapter Member
(No. 3233) of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), with its headquarters located in Albany, Indiana, U.S.A. The club
is non-political in nature and affiliates with no organization other than the AMA.
RETREADS® have no formal dues or fees. Even though the publishing and postage
costs are considerable, the voluntary contributions of the membership help keep the club's treasury in the black.
The letter-writing relationship and e-mailing between members has resulted in
many friendships, which are cemented by personal visits around the country and the world. Each year there are a number of
intra-club events such as rallies, tours, campouts and fund raisers, which bring RETREADS® from all over the country, and
even all over the world, together. These activities take place yearly on State, Regional and International Levels.
The club does not cater to any particular type or brand of motorcycle, or any
particular kind of activity. One of the requirements for membership is an interest in motorcycles and motorcycling. The other
and prime requirement, is that the applicant must have passed his 40th birthday. Hence, the usual letter is signed XL+, the
Roman numeral for 40 and a plus sign.
The RETREADS® have no great aims other than to promote more pleasure for motorcycle
riders in their age group. However, they do write to the legislators of their particular state with opinions and suggestions
regarding proposed laws involving motorcycles and motorcyclists. Distributors and manufacturers also receive their praise
or their wrath through the mails. Although some of the best known names in motorcycling are included on the membership roster
of the RETREADS®, the bulk of the membership is made up of ordinary motorcyclists who, because of their age, feel that the
majority of the motorcycle magazines and clubs have ignored them and their enthusiasm for the sport.
The RETREADS® welcome new members. If you have passed your 40th birthday and have
a keen interest and enthusiasm for motorcycling of any kind, refer to the RETREADS® international web site at http://www.retreads.org for the name(s) of your local Representative(s).
This article is posted with photos on the Rhode Island Retreads web site at http://www.ri_retreads.homestead.com/RetreadsHistory.html
