Mister Marcus

by Mister Marcus

The Inter-Club Fund of San Francisco will soon embark on its 40th year of yet another enduring San Francisco tradition, a legendary motorcycle awards ceremony to take place in February, 2006.  But it wasn't always the Inter-Club Fund's domain.  Actually, the ICF has only been involved in this event for 33 years.

As it says on the club's website (http://www.4icf.org), the Inter-Club Fund of San Francisco, Inc. is a coalition of eight leather- and motorcycle-oriented clubs in the South-of-Market Area gay and lesbian community.  It was formed to promote safe motorcycling; provide financial assistance to persons in distress; and promote motorcycling organizations.  The Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and has no paid staff.

In the early days, the Barbary Coasters MC staged the annual event, which always included the bike clubs of Southern California. And what a great weekend event it was in those days!

In the beginning, there were some 13 bike clubs in San Francisco, and almost as many in Los Angeles.  The weekend started on a Friday night with a champagne reception at the Boot Camp bar for the newly elected Oedipus Rex of the Oedipus MC of Los Angeles.  The event also featured a framed "Greeting" for the new Rex by the Mayor of San Francisco.

On Saturday afternoons, the Recons MC of San Francisco staged bike competition events in the parking lot between 10th & 11th Streets on Harrison, where the Costco store now stands. Many "private gatherings" took place during that weekend, and on Saturday night, the awards ceremony was held in the Seaman's Hall.  Two MC's hosted, one for the Southern and one for the Northern state.  For many years, Peter Bramilow did the honors for the Southern California clubs, and later the startlingly handsome Bob White was the MC.  Various MCs were utilized for the Northern California awardees.

Often a revolving stage added drama to the presentations, and each winner was afforded huge applause. Later, the Southern California clubs decided to hold their own ceremony.

After the Barbary Coasters MC folded as a club, the Inter-Club Fund was afforded the opportunity to stage the awards, and to this day, they produce the event.  Besides the usual Best Run of the Year, Rider of the Year, Buddy Rider of the Year and Man of the Year, the ceremony now includes Best Leather Event, Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and other categories that were not in the original awards ceremony.  These days, the ICF includes the Bears of SF, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the SF Women's Motorcycle Contingent.

The 40th edition of the Motorcycle Awards will take place in San Francisco on Sunday, February 18th in the Green Room of the War Memorial Bldg. (McAllister @ Van Ness).  The ticket prices are $25 in advance and $35 at the door and include a dinner before the show.  For the past 33 years, the ICF has produced these awards and have distributed over $171,000 in grants to the needy.

Raffle tickets at $5 each might win you two nights for two at Yosemite View Lodge, a 26" flat screen LCD HDTV monitor, A night for two at the St. Regis Hotel, artwork by Jorge Vieto, Jr., a $100 J.C. Penney Gift Certificate plus a $100 Safeway Certificate, a Panasonic AM/FM/CD Clock Radio and a DVD player.  Raffle tickets are available at Rock Hard, Chaps, and the Eagle Tavern or by Email to raffle@4icf.org.

Your continuing support of this event is desired and appreciated. See you there in February!

From Issue: Vol. 35 / No. 47 / 24 November 2005 of the Bay Area Reporter.