We see them on Christmas Day at the Commonwealth Health Center distributing gifts to children, or feeding the manamko’ at the Aging Office in Garapan.
They are the TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club whose presence in the island has been associated not only with having fun and enjoying rides on their big bikes but with their involvement in community services.
Tough start
TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club founder George F. Camacho said when he organized the club with six members in 1994, it was not an easy job for him.
“Back then, people automatically brand you as ‘bad’ if you go around riding big bikes in the island,” Camacho said.
They immediately got involved with the community to erase the impression that “people on bikes are bad and show-offs.”
“It was not easy. People shun us before but when they saw that we were not as they thought, they slowly opened up and welcomed us to the community as the TAGA Riders,” Camacho said.
Camacho said they named the club after the famous and strong Taga chief in the NMI.
“We want to name our club with something that represents our islands,” he said.
Looking back 16 years later, Camacho said they have survived the tough times and added that “we are here to stay, TAGA Riders Forever.”
TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club’s newly elected president Jose R. Sablan, a bike builder/musician/businessman/pilot rolled into one said that anyone with a bike with an engine 400 cc and up is welcome to join the club.
“All we ask from our members is respect, loyalty and commitment to the club,” Sablan said.
The TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club go riding around the island every other Sunday to bond and to be visible in the community.
More projects
This year, the TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club is planning to add youth service and anti-domestic violence in their Christmas programs.
“We will be expanding our services to the community,” he said.
Camacho said they are doing more fundraising activities to support their expanded community projects by selling stickers, baseball caps and t-shirts with the TAGA Riders logo which costs $15 each.
“Help us to help the community by supporting our fundraising activities,” Camacho said.
He said every donation they get from the sponsors and the proceeds from the fundraising activities will be given back to the community.
Camacho said this year, he will be opening a TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club in Washington.
“A lot of bikers have already shown interest in joining and this will help promote the CNMI to the world,” he said.
Riding with the wind
Camacho and Sablan have been biking buddies for decades now.
Camacho said he rode his first bike when he was 13 years old, while Sablan had his first adventure with bikes at 18.
“We enjoy riding our bikes, and in fact we are more comfortable riding bikes than cars,” Camacho said.
“It’s exhilarating to ride around and feel the wind on your face, but more than that, the feeling of serving our community is more fulfilling,” he said.
Camacho has represented the TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club on Guam, Hawaii as well as in Sturgis, South Dakota for the biggest bike rally some years back.
Camacho, Sablan and the members of the TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club extend their gratitude to the establishments who have continued to support their cause each year. The annual $50 membership fee also helps a lot to fund the club’s projects.
To avail of the TAGA Riders Motorcycle Club’s stickers, caps and T-shirts or to support their programs, call Sablan at 288-1271.
