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Brief History of GSMC

 

Garden Spot Motorcycle Club traces its beginnings back to a small bicycle shop in Akron, PA owned by "Shorty" Enks. There, beginning in 1936, Clarence Christ, Walter Troxel, Paul Sweigart and some of their friends would gather in the evenings to wrench on their Indians, swap tales, drink a few cold ones and talk of racing motorbikes. By 1939 interest had grown enough that 8 members chartered the club though the AMA as Garden Spot Motorcycle Club. In the early 40’s the club commenced regular formal meetings in a vacant garage located behind the Orioles, a private club in Denver, PA. By this time Walter Troxel was racing Indians for John Rahl, an Indian dealer from Columbia and was building his own shop in Ephrata behind his residence on Spruce Street. Activities increased and soon the club was sponsoring sanctioned races and time trials in a farmer’s field called Wingenroth Meadows located along a creek in Denver. About this time the abandoned garage meeting place was upgraded to an old trolley car in Stevens. It wasn’t until 1950 when Harold Sensenig was president, that the club acquired its current location by purchasing land from member, John Mohn along N. Reading Road. That was the same year that Walter Troxel died during a race at the Reading Fairgrounds when his bike collided with another racer due to a rear tire blowout, which sent him careening onto the infield.

At their new location the members constructed a 1/8 mile Time Trials track and weekend racing became a regular event at GSMC, as families and friends of all ages gathered to race, picnic and socialize in the presence of the roar and rumble of Indians and Harleys. Members participated in "Lime Runs", a predecessor to current day Poker Runs.

The current club house was started in 1954, shortly after Indian Motorcycle Co. closed its doors and the British made Nortons, Triumphs and BSA’s began their racing assault, attempting to take control of the tracks and hill climbs from the dominant American made machines. Funding for the new building was obtained from block shoots, hotdog sales on race days and 50/50 tickets. Fortunately, liability insurance was a not yet heard of expense. In 1960 a cinder block addition was completed behind the existing building, under the guidance of Paul Christ. The addition housed a kitchen along with the indoor bathrooms.

In 1963 Eugene Hahn was president. That year, the front porch was added as the Japanese invasion began with Honda introducing lightweight singles and twins. During the 60’s and early 70’s membership rose to nearly 100. The club regularly attended the White Rose MC Hill Climb in Jefferson and participated with local clubs sponsoring and attending poker runs. The members also rode escort in the annual Ephrata Fair Parade. In ‘74 & ‘75 member Bill Redcay won the District Six Poker Run Points Title 2 years in a row.

During the Late 70’s and early 80’s membership dwindled due to age, apathy and attrition. Expenses became difficult to meet and the club almost sold out. Revitalization occurred in the nineties with new blood being introduced to the organization. Activities and interest increased. Membership now stands at 41, with the club participating in weekend and day riding excursions in PA, NY, MD, DE & NJ. An annual AMA sanctioned Round Robin Poker Run is co-sponsored by Thunderbirds, Reading, Pagoda and Garden Spot MC. The club maintains its racing heritage by sponsoring members Harold Brossman Jr. and Mark Burkholder in the annual races at Timonium, MD. In addition the club hosts three AMA sanctioned poker runs per year and several social events. Currently the kitchen is receiving a total modernization. Income is generated by fundraiser breakfasts, sandwich sales, poker runs and dues. Membership is open to all marques of bike. The club considers itself a family oriented group of riders who are, above all, friends.

R. H. Axelrod

Corresponding Secretary, GSMC 2003-2004
 

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