Dear Idaho Adventure Motorcycle Club Members,
I hope this message finds you all in high spirits and ready for the adventures that lie ahead. My name is Alex Crane, and I am excited to introduce myself as the newly elected president of the Idaho Adventure Motorcycle Club.
Ron, after serving as president for several years, has stepped down and graciously passed on the baton. He has invested a tremendous amount of time and effort into the club, and there’s no doubt that we wouldn’t be where we are today without him. Next time you see him, please take a moment to thank him for all his hard work and dedication. Something tells me that while he may no longer be serving in an official capacity he will still be hanging around for a while. This organization has been shaped by many presidents over the years, and we honor that by carrying on the legacy they’ve worked so hard to build.
First, a bit about me. I live in Nampa with my wife and two kids, ages 9 and 13, both of whom also ride. I hold a degree from Boise State University in Mechanical Engineering and own a small manufacturing company. We mostly operate in the firearms industry, but I also dabble in motorcycle parts. Riding has been a part of my life since childhood, starting with a Honda Z50R. Growing up in Oregon, I had access to nearly unlimited trails and logging roads, and my love for riding has stayed with me into adulthood. Over the years, I’ve owned many bikes, and currently, I split my time between a BMW R1200GS, a Suzuki DR-Z400, and a Yamaha V-Star 1600. I’m also working on a CX500 Scrambler build. Other hobbies include shooting, playing guitar, tinkering on my 1968 Mustang, and mountain biking.
It’s easy to see why this club has been so popular, combining motorcycles, the great outdoors, and a community centered around Idaho. As I look forward to the club’s future, I plan to do all I can to help boost involvement. The IAMC has always been about adventure riding enthusiasts who come together, share experiences, and explore Idaho’s breathtaking landscapes. My vision is to maintain that essence, while also steering us towards new horizons. We aim to expand on this with more community rides, workshops, and camping trips that will forge a stronger community and create lasting memories. To support this, we are making a few changes.
This year, we are restructuring our membership fees. In an effort to simplify and enhance the value we offer, the club will now charge only $30 for the challenge, eliminating the separate club membership fee. This initiative not only makes participation more accessible but also opens up the wealth of information gathered throughout the years to more people in our community. Accessing information on our website no longer requires a paid membership. It does, however, depend on you to be a part of our yearly IAMC Challenge. Regardless of your involvement with the challenge we still encourage you to register. We are also planning to expand revenue for the club through sponsorships and merchandise in the coming months. Ultimately, this club isn’t about money, and all funds gathered will be reinvested in adding value for our members. We do, however, need to be responsible with what we have and make sure it goes as far as possible to serve the club.
We’ve put a lot of work into the IAMC Challenge this year, offering 51 checkpoints and spending significant time revamping our website. New features include an interactive map that improves the experience of exploring this year’s challenge sites and finding information. The ride difficulty is now displayed with interactive markers, and clicking on a site takes you to a page with more details about each challenge site. On this page, you’ll also find our new check-in system, which allows you to post multiple pictures as well as a GPX file. This functionality is intended to help future riders safely reach these destinations.
Another exciting feature is our new leaderboard, designed to foster friendly competition by ranking our challenge members by number of check-ins. As you visit more challenge sites, you’ll see your name rise in the ranks. While bragging rights are always fun, the real reward is the experience.
We’ve also improved our forums, updating our software to the latest technology, making posting, commenting, and connecting with others better than ever. We have new sections for classifieds, connecting with other riders, ride reports, and mechanical questions as well.
While we couldn’t preserve all user data from the old website, we’ve imported a ton of old content, such as safety articles, ride reports, and motorcycle lifestyle guides. These resources are designed for and by our community, and I encourage each of you to engage with them, and share your insights. Much work has been put into this content by the folks who came before us, so let’s make the most of those efforts. The more time we spend posting new rides and engaging with others on the forums, the more opportunities we create for sharing information and connecting with other riders. Remember, though, we don’t measure our success in clicks, but in worn-out tires.
I want to take a moment to thank others who have stepped up and helped get the club rolling again. SpecialEd went above and beyond curating this year’s challenge sites and will continue serving as Vice President. Trent Holderness has spent many hours as Webmaster, working on our website and uploading content from our old newsletters. If you are enjoying the catalog of content on the website be sure to thank him. Heath Hiatt has stepped up as Treasurer, managing the club’s finances and replacing Cliff Seusy, who has left us in tip-top shape. Mike Wenke has been active in planning as Rides Coordinator, so be on the lookout for the events he’ll be hosting. And a big thanks to Chuck Scheer for his help with graphic design and making our bandannas. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of our challenge participants who make this endeavor so much fun.
You might be wondering, “What can I do?” Well, I’m glad you asked! First off, sign up for our challenge. This is the main vehicle that will be carrying our club forward. Next, please be active on our website forums and help foster our community. And lastly, organize your own rides, connect with other riders on the forum, and share those experiences with others on our ride reports section. Your help will be needed in expanding the information available to our community. If you wish to be further involved with the club, please start with those.
In closing, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in the election, as well as those who have contributed to the fabric of our club over the years. Your passion and commitment have shaped IAMC into what it is today, and together, I believe we can reach new heights. I look forward to riding alongside each of you, exploring the beauty of Idaho, and creating unforgettable moments.
Here’s to the journey ahead,
Alex Crane
President, Idaho Adventure Motorcycle Club
