The Iron Horse Riders got its start with two Harley-riding clampers, Mike Malone and Danny Ramiro, both of Merced County. To bring our readers up to speed, a clamper is a member of E Clampus Vitus (commonly known as ECV). ECV was founded during the Gold Rush era in the 1800’s. The story is told that the fraternal organization was born out of other traditional lodges and organizations refusal to allow membership to the founding members. The primary mission back then was to form a group that would help each other out in the rough and tumble times of the California mining boom. If tragedy befell a fellow member, the group would raise money and help his family members, who were commonly widows and orphans. The organization still exists today, with its original mission still intact; ECV is also dedicated to the preservation of California history. Monuments can be found throughout the state, commemorating significant historical sites and events.
The idea to start the club came to Malone and Ramiro while they were in Virginia City, Nevada (ironically, a town known for its silver mining past). While enjoying a cold beer at a local “clamper bar” (they’re all over, you just have to know how to find them). They met up with some fellow clampers who were also members of the Long Rider Cowboys Motorcycle Club of Nevada. After their conversation, Mike and Danny decided it would be a great idea to start up their own club, based on the deep tradition of clampers. Upon returning home, they went about learning what it takes to start a club from scratch. After coming up with artwork for a club patch and having it approved by other local clubs, the two friends went into recruiting mode. They decided on a prerequisite for membership in the club was membership and good standing in the ECV. They started looking for friends and fellow riders who were not members of other clubs. After finding several other interested riders, the Iron Horse Riders Motorcycle Club was born.
Currently, the club is still rather small, but has enough prospects to double in size this year. The main philosophy of the club is to conduct themselves in the manner of a clamper foremost. Family comes first. Besides the ECV membership requirement, all members obviously must ride a motorcycle (preferably American-made, but metrics and other bikes are welcome also. They are not an outlaw club, nor do they intend or want to be perceived to be. They are just guys who love to ride, ride as a club, and are bound by the “brotherhood of clamperdom”.
This past year, they have had the pleasure of riding in support of several local causes, including the “T-Dub Memorial Run”, the Carlos Vieira Race for Autism, the Manual Victor Memorial Run, and a ride supporting C.O.M.P. (Children of Murdered Parents). They also recently led the procession for a friend of the club whose daughter had passed away. They hope to have their first club run this spring. They have a list of charities and groups that are dear to the hearts of clampers, which just like in the gold rush, is still taking care of widows and orphans. Look up upcoming charity runs put on by the young club. Even if you are not a clamper, they want to invite everyone to join them helping good causes. Although they don’t have a club house as of yet, they hold their meetings at various members homes. That way, they get to keep it family-close. Typically, after the meetings, they are joined by their wives and girlfriends to enjoy the friendship they share.
If you would like more information on the Iron Horse Riders or E Clampus Vitus, contact Mike Malone, president, at (209) 777-4068, or email him at ironhorseriders@yahoo.com.
