In January 1963 four dirt riders had a meeting at Jack Wrights house in Runnemede, New Jersey, to discuss forming a sanctioned AMA riding club just for enduro riders, that would promote offroad riding through competiton.
Bill Schemel suggested 'South Jersey Enduro Riders' and the name stuck. Officers were elected, Jack Wright, President, Bill Schemel, Secretary, Woody Molineaux, Treasurer, and Bill Bandenstein, Referee. The first order of business of SJER was to request an AMA charter, which Bill Schemel paid for out of pocket (he also paid for the second year as well).
Membership cards were printed, and new members were recruited from local enduros. “No dues, No meetings, join SJER so you can ride as a club team” was the motto. New members were signed up on the hood of Bill Schemel's truck.
When enduros were ridden Woody came up with the idea of handing out vests with “candystripes” on them. Six vests were made up with the red and white stripes, which were collected at the end of the run. Eventually members started buying their own, and a tradition was started.
Ben Trimble was elected president. As the membership grew, meetings were at first held at the Cliff Ferris Cycle Shop in Mt. Holly. The meetings moved around over the years, the Mt. Holly Diner, Cramer's Cycle Shop in Vincetown, Villa D Tavern in Tabernacle and the Country Tavern, Indian Mills to name a few.
1966 was a big year for SJER. Bill Schemel headed the by-laws committee, and a charter was drawn up. The club was incorporated by the State of New Jersey that year. Clarence Hyde took care of the incorporation for free. Woody Molineaux founded the first promoted event, and named it the “Curly Fern Enduro”. Sam Shontz created the club logo as well.
The enduro gained popularity, and in 1969 South Jersey Enduro Riders held their first national event. Neil Forsyth was trail boss, and the enduro started at the Whitings Fire House. All the trail was new. Neil cut trail, built bridges, and stopped counting the hours he worked when he got to 2000. The club came together to make it all happen.
The Curly Fern Enduro started at many locations over the years, Pic-A-Lilly in Atsion; C&D Diner, Medford; and the Chatsworth Fire Company, besides the Whitings Fire House.
The following three years SJER hosted a National Championship, as well as 1974,1975, and 1979. In 1981 Ocean County Competition Riders and SJER joined forces to promote the Forked River Mountain National Enduro.
The National Championships were long events, around 100 miles or more. It was a huge undertaking. Overall the club has maintained hundreds if not thousands of miles of trail in New Jersey over the last 47 years.
The ECEA held I.S.D.E. qualifiers in 1975, and 1977 at Coyle Field on rt. 72. SJER riders took part in these international events.
Today, large portions of the forest we once rode are off limits due to differing circumstances. Our event is now held primarily in Wharton State Forest, and starts at the Gun Club in Atsion. SJER has held an enduro every year for the past 44 years. |
