The Baltimore Ramblers is one of the oldest American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) clubs in the U.S. and the oldest in Maryland. We became a Charter Member of the AMA in 1929. Throughout our 90 year (and counting) history, we have been a club of multiple focuses including touring, board track racing, flat track racing, and hill climbing.
The club first met on 611 W. North Ave, Baltimore. In the 1960’s, we purchased about 25 acres in the Soldiers Delight area. This was the training ground for dirt bike racing. On the property was an abandoned streetcar which served as the club’s meeting place.
In the 1970’s, conservationists argued that the Ramblers were destroying the ecosystem of the area and many endangered plants. Then, club President William Clagett argued that neighborhood boys who were not club members were responsible for much of the soil
damage, vandalizing and dumping in the area. He characterized these individuals as “scum on motorcycles,” adorned with iron crosses and swastikas, and prone to curse anyone who challenged their right to be there. Although both Rangers Tracy and Bishop defended the Ramblers from charges of wanton abuse of the land, the conservationists remained opposed to the bikers’ activities. The state of Maryland eventually threatened to use its power of eminent domain against the motorcycle club in an attempt to force its members off the land, an effort which culminated in 1979 when the Ramblers reluctantly sold their acreage to the state. [http://www.soldiersdelight.org/sdci_history3.html]
At this point, we purchased our current clubhouse at 5513 Deer Park Rd, across the street from the wildlife preserve. Over the years, it has been expanded and adapted. This is a great asset, at which we have multiple events each year; it is also used as the start and end point for our rides and for housing our meetings.
These days, we enjoy our racing strictly as spectators and are back to being exclusively a touring and social club. The Ramblers are an all-inclusive club, welcoming both men and women riders, as well as owners of all road bikes, big and small. Please stop by one Wednesday or to a ride and check out our How to Join page.
Our goals are to:
- Participate in civic and charitable activities
- Promote the image and sportsmanship of motorcycling
- Help and encourage new riders
- Promote motorcycle safety
- Better the image of motorcycling
- Support motorcycle events.
