Any interest in forming a club in Upstate SC?

[ME2SC]

I'm in Greenville, pretty near the MOA mothership which is in Greer. There should be a local club branch here, but alas, the Conebutts seem to be defunct.

Anyone else in the Upstate area want to join in chartering a new club? I think it takes 10 MOA members and a handful of greenbacks ...

 

[brorke]

Im also surprised that there is no Upstate BMW group. Im in Greer, off 14 just north of Wade Hampton. There was an active club in the area years ago. Conebutts does not ring a bell, but that may have been it. Used to be able to pull up an old newsletter online but cant find it now. I would think D2 may be interested in this as well.

 

[slipstream]

I am in Fort Mill, just south of Charlotte, and am extremely interested in the the idea you’re proposing.

 

[visian]

There *was* a great local club called the Asheville BMW Riders, but some guy came in, it got all political, so the club de-incorporated, moved to Facebook and called themselves the Appalachian BMW Riders. It's a private group, I don't belong, and they're MOA Charter #353, RA Charter #339. There is a sub-group that rides every Wednesday out of Asheville, they're called the Sons & Daughters of Arthritis, or SDoA.

The photo below shows the founding members, Eurosports Asheville BMW was brand new, too, and very supportive of the club.

I wrote a story about this in the BMW ON, September 2010 issue, which apparently is no longer stored on-line.

 

[ME2SC]

There *was* a great local club called the Asheville BMW Riders, but some guy came in, it got all political, so the club de-incorporated, moved to Facebook and called themselves the Appalachian BMW Riders. It's a private group, I don't belong, and they're MOA Charter #353, RA Charter #339. There is a sub-group that rides every Wednesday out of Asheville, they're called the Sons & Daughters of Arthritis, or SDoA.

The photo below shows the founding members, Eurosports Asheville BMW was brand new, too, and very supportive of the club.

I wrote a story about this in the BMW ON, September 2010 issue, which apparently is no longer stored on-line.

Sad to see chartered clubs come and go, my old club up in Maine (Great Northern BMW Riders) is now long defunct. But I have lots of excellent memories of camping trips, group rides, and far too many calories being consumed with so many now departed fellow riders.

That is why I am going to push to create an Upstate SC club. I seriously miss the fellowship and fun.

 

[slipstream]

 

[slipstream]

How’s this logo look?

 

[20774]

I think the roundel police might be knocking on your door!!

 

[slipstream]

 

[brorke]

View attachment 101193

Looks good....But check out Palmetto BMW Riders. Maybe remove the Palmetto tree & crescent moon (Palmetto uses it in their logo), and add a winding road with mountains in the background? And remove "motorcycle"? Upstate SC BMW Riders? Just my opinion. Roundel does look great, but like Kurt mentioned, may not go over well...lol

 

[slipstream]

Looks good....But check out Palmetto BMW Riders. Maybe remove the Palmetto tree & crescent moon (Palmetto uses it in their logo), and add a winding road with mountains in the background? And remove "motorcycle"? Upstate SC BMW Riders? Just my opinion. Roundel does look great, but like Kurt mentioned, may not go over well...lol

Thanks for the inputs, Bill--greatly appreciated.

The following points are in no way argumentative, but just my thoughts:

1. The Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon are the S.C. state "logo", so I think it's appropriate for the proposed Upstate S.C. Riders' chapter to include them, as well. One chapter shouldn't have precedence over another with regards to State map depictions or logos, in my humble opinion, provided that the Chapter's logos aren't too similar.

2. I like the winding road & mountains suggestion!

3. I'm on the fence with keeping the word "motorcycle"--on one hand it may be a bit redundant, on the other, it differentiates us from BMW (car) drivers...

4.
A. Perusing the BMWMOA site regarding starting a new, sanctioned chapter, it indicates that any new chapter's logo has to be vetted. I'm guessing the BMW roundel has to go! (No real surprise)

B. I'm hoping that if this proposed chapter is to be established, BMWMOA doesn't also require the elimination of the Palmetto tree & crescent as well for the reason you stated above.

If Rowling123 (the catalyst of this project), yourself, or any other folks want to send me a DM via this website to establish personal comms, please feel free! I'm exceptionally interested in making this happen.

Cheers, and thanks again from Fort Mill, SC
--Slipstream (Dave)

 

[kbasa]

Good luck with that logo, I guess.

Thanks for the inputs, Bill--greatly appreciated.

The following points are in no way argumentative, but just my thoughts:

1. The Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon are the S.C. state "logo", so I think it's appropriate for the proposed Upstate S.C. Riders' chapter to include them, as well. One chapter shouldn't have precedence over another with regards to State map depictions or logos, in my humble opinion, provided that the Chapter's logos aren't too similar.

2. I like the winding road & mountains suggestion!

3. I'm on the fence with keeping the word "motorcycle"--on one hand it may be a bit redundant, on the other, it differentiates us from BMW (car) drivers...

4.
A. Perusing the BMWMOA site regarding starting a new, sanctioned chapter, it indicates that any new chapter's logo has to be vetted. I'm guessing the BMW roundel has to go! (No real surprise)

B. I'm hoping that if this proposed chapter is to be established, BMWMOA doesn't also require the elimination of the Palmetto tree & crescent as well for the reason you stated above.

If Rowling123 (the catalyst of this project), yourself, or any other folks want to send me a DM via this website to establish personal comms, please feel free! I'm exceptionally interested in making this happen.

Cheers, and thanks again from Fort Mill, SC
--Slipstream (Dave)

I would recommend you have a logo you use that doesn't contain either BMW or the roundel. I would also recommend that you have a mockup done of the logo you decide in in the appropriate BMW approved framework. You can use the logo without the roundel or BMW lettering any way you'd like, including as the logo associated with your acceptable version.

"BMW" and the roundel are entirely under BMW's control, so you need to ensure you're using that intellectual property in the framework they require. We used to have an entire doc or page about it on here somewhere.

 

[ME2SC]

Well, since we don't have a group yet, let alone a name, and therefore a need for a logo ... I'd say let's not get the cart before the horse.

Once our ducks start to get in at least a loose formation, we will go forward using the prescribed guidelines for charter club logo design which I have from the MOA mothership.

I will say that although I love our state flag and its elements, I think the palm & crescent is not indicative of the Upstate region as much as some other iconic images of the area. I've got a working file of ideas that are in the wings already ...

 

[ME2SC]

And for those interested, the next attempted meetup to discuss will be (weather permitting):

Sunday, June 8th, 2025
1PM to 4pm
The Southern Growl
155 N Buncombe Rd
Greer, SC 29651
WPVQ+VM

 

[ME2SC]

Weather forecasting is a dodgy pursuit at best, but it looks like the 7-day forecast is for PM thunderstorms on the 8th. Fingers crossed, we'll be good to go for the afternoon!

 

[kshinn]

How’d it go?

 

[ME2SC]

Great, actually. Had a couple people turn up and enjoyed some great conversation over good food an bev. Looking at the weekend of July 12/13 for the next attempt. Probably a ride to eat morning with a couple hour ride involved ... stay tuned!