Southern Cruisers Riding Club
Air Capital #277
Wichita KS
About 277
SCRC Chapter 277 The Story
In the summer of 2009 when Matt Lary decided he would like a group of people to ride motorcycles with he stumbled on a Wichita Chapter of the SCRC (Southern Cruisers Riding Club). Even though the Chapter had been established for years it only consisted of 12 members and there was no history of them riding that he could find. After contacting Brian Potter the Kansas State Officer of SCRC and finding out the chapter was basically dead, Brian asked Matt if he would consider taking on the Chapter as First Officer. After careful deliberation Matt agreed and the current SCRC Chapter 277 was born.
Matt started by beating the pavement, handing out cards and flyers to every motorcycle rider he could find and talking to anyone that would listen. He also started scheduling regular rides and it did not take long before the word spread, riders telling other riders, and other clubs joining the Cruisers just to have another form of recreational riding. Now in the Fall of 2011, a little over 2 years after Matt revived the chapter it has over 170 members with almost half being active.
One of the keys to a successful riding club is to offer something for everyone. From a few mile dinner ride on a warm evening to a 200+ ride on a Saturday morning, an annual overnight trip and every other scenario you can think of, SCRC Chapter 277 has something for every level and kind of rider. We don’t care what you ride as long as you ride safe and want to be a part of a really fun group. Also Chapter 277 allows anyone to suggest and put together a ride so everyone has a chance to participate in where we go and what we do if they so choose. We have ridden to eat so many times that our motto has become “277 Will Ride for Food” and we have the patch to prove it. The most memorable ride in SCRC Chapter 277’s history was the first overnight trip to Eureka Springs in May of 2010. There were over 20 bikes and over 40 members that took the trip. It was a beautiful ride on some awesome roads and a trip that truly created lasting friendships that we all still have today.
Today the Chapter has a 6 person committee helping with organization of events and club operations, but 277 has had its share of growing pains & has spent some time educating its members on what it means to be a group rider; learn to travel the speed of the slowest bike, safety first, and always look out for one another, no man left behind. Even if it means setting for hours waiting for someone to show up to pick up a broken bike or an ill rider that is what being a member of the group means.
What has been created with the SCRC Chapter 277 is a family like no other. Most of the active members would help another Cruiser member out just like they were family or sometimes better than family. When a need arises it seems like there is always a Cruiser around to help out. There is so much to say about SCRC Chapter 277, it is a great club, has a ton to offer in the form of incredible rides, fun events and the most incredible people you will ever meet.
Our group committee is made up of
- Teresa Young Smith
- Mark McColm
- Kari Miller
- Christina Brown
- Vince Walburn
