Tacoma Trail Cruiser's History

  In the early 1960's, a small group of outdoor enthusiasts gathered in Tacoma to form a unique motorcycle club. During this time period the mention of a motorcycle club automatically brought images of "Hells Angels"... "Easy Riders"...Black Jackets" to mind. This was not the case with these family oriented bike riders. This group rode small trail bikes. The emphasis of the club was placed around family involvement.
    The club incorporated as the Tacoma Trail Cruisers (TTC) in 1964 with 68 charter members. Active riders varied in age from pre-teen to folks in their seventies. Part of the original credo was to put more back into environment and community than they took away. 
    With that credo in mind, TTC has became involved with community affairs such as spending thousands of hours assisting Pierce County Search and Rescue, assisting with the Daffodil Parade and helping with Walk-a-thon and Ride-a-thon charity events. Every year a group of the young members formed an ATV demonstration team that toured Pierce county and conducted seminars. The team stressed rider safety and environmental awareness to fifth graders during annual school campouts.
    The club was the first and only motorcycle club that volunteered to assist with the first statewide "Earth clean-up day" On that day and every year since, the club has cleaned up litter along the roads in Capital Forest area. The club has volunteered many man-hours to various local and DNR causes, including the Fish and Game Department in planting fish in mountain lakes.

As popularity of ATV's grew, so did TTC membership. It became apparent TTC could no longer hold club rides and gatherings in DNR campgrounds. There was not enough room. A search was launched and a available spot that fit perfectly was a small acreage setting in the middle of Capitol Forest. This was the favorite riding area for the club as they spent countless weekends working with the DNR in developing new trails and maintaining the existing ones in this area. (Ironically, many original trails are today's "Green Line Trails" for horses and hiking only.)
     So, in 1972, TTC purchased the small ten acre parcel of land that belonged to the Sloan family- early settlers of the Sherman Valley. On the property sat an old barn that had been used as family feed and milking barn. Upon purchase, members got together and cleaned out the hay and the farm equipment that was left behind. Then TTC had a old fashion barn dance! The club immediately held this get-acquainted event at which all their country neighbors were invited so neighbors could see TTC was not a hoodlum motorcycle gang moving into their area. 
     Everybody pitched in and soon the club developed a beautiful campground and spacious parking area. TTC held fundraisers and worked with DNR to develop and maintain suitable trails. The club's initial project was to brace up and restore the old barn that had stood for about eighty years. The inside was converted into a well- equipped food preparation area ( the Kitchen) and a equally furnished area for the eating area. It did not take long before many of the neighbors were joining TTC.

The barn became a landmark in our community and a real source of pride for TTC. In 1973, the club started holding its annual "Smuggler Poker Run" to generate funds to pay for the property and improvements.
     Once the property was paid for the club continued holding this popular event. It has become the premier ATV event in the Pacific Northwest, attracting riders from various states. The difference in recent years, however is that much of the proceeds are donated to various area charities such as the Black Lake and the Little Rock Fire Departments, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and the American Red Cross.         
     From the beginning, TTC has been advocating environmentally responsible activity in trail bike development of local motorcycle trails on both State and Federal land. They have established good working relationships with both the State and Federal land managers and Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  No longer is TTC just another "user group" of the forest, but an organization that puts back into the system with numerous projects every year, providing manpower and sometimes funding for specific projects and events.
     TTC helps police nearby campgrounds on public land and helps take care of the human community. They are cooperative neighbors who agreed to let the forest be divided to help avoid user conflict. Equestrians and hikers have access to trails on the south side of the forest allowing motorized users and mountain bikes access to enjoy the north side trails.
     TTC has Ecology days in which they teach other people respect for what nature provides and it's proper treatment and care. They also sponsor annual trail clean-up events after harsh weather conditions, trail maintenance and help with other planned and scheduled events in the Capitol Forest.