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About Us...
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The idea of creating a motorcycle club in Mariposa County was conceived in the fall of 2003. Essentially a handful of riders (now the "charter members") began talking about the concept of creating a motorcycle club.
Being a rural mountain county in the Sierra Nevada (Mariposa/Yosemite) where the riding is excellent, it was apparent by the number of bikes on the road that there were lots of people with the love of motorcycle riding but no connection with one another.
A motorcycle club seemed like the logical answer. As far as we know, no such club has ever been formed in the town's 158-year history.
After about 10 weeks of hard work, the charter members formed the "Sierra Shadow Casters" motorcycle club. In the short time we have existed word of mouth and some modest publicity has turned us into a formidable group of 65 members… and growing!
While going on "fun rides with good friends" was the initial motivation in forming the club, the second reason, and probably most important, was soon realized. As the membership grew we soon realized our potential to become a formidable fund-raising mechanism, giving us an even more meaningful dimension. We immediately went to work on that exciting phase of our development and adopted the motto “Riding For Others.”
With the success of an impromptu fund-raising effort in the 2003 Christmas season, where the club raised $875.00 and over 50 toys for the "Kops for Kids" toy drive, we launched a more organized effort a year later and raised $2,100 and hundreds of toys in conjunction with the Sheriff Department's annual toy drive. In addition, we were able to provide a handsome check to the local "Warm a Child with Love" coat drive and another to the Mariposa "Manna House" – a charitable organization that distributes food to those in need year round.
In order to raise money for other charitable causes and families who have lost loved ones, we have organized the annual Sierra Memorial Ride through Yosemite, which is very popular and growing each year. To add to the fun, in 2004 we launched the Shadow Casters Sierra Moon Shine Poker Run and Dinner-Dance now held annually at the Mariposa Fairgrounds in September. With few exceptions, our fund-raising efforts are conducted locally for local causes.
We use an email notice system which informs our members of upcoming events, announcement and our popular bi-monthly "Breakfast Rides" to interesting dining establishments. Plus, members receive an informative monthly newsletter (Sierra Rider) in living color via email. We do not hold meetings and participation is always voluntary. We are not an “outlaw” club.
While members are required to own either a club patch or T-shirt as a condition of membership, wearing them on runs is not mandatory. Most members wear their "colors" with pride though, as the SSC name has become synonymous with fun and good will.
The response from motorcycle riders in our community has been far greater than anyone could have imagined. We are open to men and women riders and all makes of motorcycles. Our membership has grown to include bikers from the San Joaquin Valley to all reaches of the Sierra Nevada region. As stated, we don't care where you live or what you ride, in fact, some members don't even own motorcycles, they just like the other members and supporting worthwhile causes.
Look us over and who knows, maybe we'll see you on some of our rides and events!
Paul Hall
Public Relations Officer
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