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Overview of the Temple Riders Association


About the Temple Riders Association

 

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Overview

The Temple Riders Association (TRA) has organized chapters throughout the United States. Our on-going objective is to find additional like-minded riders who prefer not to schedule rides on Sundays unless necessary*, who maintain Christian standards, and who refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, profanity, and off-colored stories while participating with the TRA.

Many riders are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as such are known to ride motorcycles to worship services in temples of the Church. Hence our name: The Temple Riders Association. However, we welcome all riders, regardless of personal faith or religious belief.

TRA Members are as diverse as the bikes and trikes they ride. Honda, Harley, BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki; we ride them all! Some bikes are brand-spankin' new, others quite old, and most are somewhere in between. We do not care what model of motorcycle you ride, if you're married, single, male or female. What is important is that you agree with the TRA concept, love to ride, and own a motorcycle.

The TRA hosts many activities throughout the year including rides, dinners, and events of a more spiritual nature, including- as our name suggests- visiting temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The TRA tries to schedule enough rides--both "temple" and "scenic"--to provide an opportunity for everyone to ride with us. Since its inception, members of the TRA have ridden to many temples, to every state in the US, to Canada, and to Mexico. And, of course, that geography has now expanded to include other countries as well.

* Some TRA rides last longer than one week or the beginning and ending dates are such that a Sunday is included. In these instances, ride coordinators are urged to plan their ride schedule to include attendance at church services in a ward or branch along the way. See the TRA Policy about riding on the Sabbath Day under

 

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Chapters

TRA chapters consist of eight or more actively participating registered TRA members and a chapter leader. The chapter leader, and optional assistant chapter leader, is nominated by the general director and confirmed by the executive committee. The assistant chapter leader may be a spouse. Contact information for the chapter leader(s) is listed on the website under ROSTERS.

Chapter officers are appointed and confirmed by their chapter leaders. They may include a meeting coordinator, secretary, communications coordinator, reporter, photographer, ride coordinator, and a safety coordinator.

A chapter leader schedules at least one chapter meeting, which usually includes a meal, to discuss TRA business, rides, and activities; and one chapter ride per month which is usually a few hours long. The meeting and ride can be combined. He or she also schedules one chapter temple visit per month when possible for those TRA members who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and who would like to attend a temple.

Any creation of a TRA chapter or riding group is to be made only within the United States or as authorized by the executive committee. It is difficult to organize international chapters due to customs, language, and limited oversight. By not following our guidelines, the reputation of the TRA may be hindered or at risk.

 

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Riding Groups

TRA Riding Groups are designed to allow small groups to participate fully in TRA activities. A riding group can be started with as little as 2 or more registered TRA members, other than a spouse, participating. Riding groups are approved by the executive committee of the TRA and are listed on the website along with the group leader's name and contact information. A group leader is the only required position. If the group grows in numbers and participation over time, they can apply to become a full chapter.

Click Chapters/Riding Groups to see a list of Chapters and Riding Groups and their leaders.

 

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History

In the spring of 1987 while at a Salt Lake City motorcycle shop, Frank Reese, founder of the Temple Riders Association (TRA), stood beside Betty Sessions, who ordered a part for a Honda Gold Wing. He asked if she belonged to the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) and she responded, "No, we don't like to ride on Sundays". Having similar views about riding on Sunday, they continued to chat while they picked up their orders and agreed to get together with their spouses and plan a "weekday" motorcycle ride.

As both couples were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and temple recommend holders, they decided to combine a visit to two temples of the Church with their motorcycle ride. Shortly thereafter, Frank and Catherine Reese, and Betty and Boyd Sessions left on a Friday morning and rode to the Ogden Utah Temple. After the temple session they rode through Ogden Canyon to Huntsville and over the panoramic Monte Cristo Highway to Bear Lake, Idaho, where they camped in a cabin owned by friends of the Reese's. On Saturday morning they traveled through scenic Logan Canyon to the Logan Utah Temple. After the temple session they rode back to their homes in Salt Lake City. Little did they know at that time what would happen in the future because of that first "temple ride".

This was such a rewarding experience that Frank and Catherine began to look for others who might enjoy weekday scenic rides to temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By the spring of 1988, the group of prospective "temple riders” had grown to the point that it was decided to create an official organization. The first Temple Riders Association bulletin (invitation) was sent on April 4, 1988 to 11 prospective member addresses. Six couples attended the "organizational meeting" early in May and became the "Charter Members" of the TRA. By February 1989 there were 51 names on the membership roster, mostly couples. Today, there are several hundred members of the TRA with chapters and riding groups throughout the United States.

 

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Helpful Riding Hints

Whenever riding, alone or in a group, we encourage all to be safe and courteous while enjoying the wonderful scenery. The following Helpful Hints are suggestions on how this can be accomplished while riding solo or if you take the opportunity to organize and lead a group ride.

Hints for Individual Riders Word PDF
Hints for Organizing a Long Ride Word PDF

 

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Officer & Leader Guidelines

The following files are in Microsoft Word and PDF formats.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary to view or print PDF files, Click here to download a free copy.

Appointment Chart Word PDF
Chapter Leaders Word PDF
Riding Group Leaders Word PDF

 

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Armor of God

The Armor of God fireside for youth is based on Ephesians 6:11-18, Putting on the Whole Armor of God, and is presented by a TRA leader or leaders under the direction of the leaders for the youth group.

Complete information is in these downloadable documents:  Word  PDF

 

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Road Rags to Temple Togs

The following information is mainly for the ladies benefit. The men generally have a very small challenge to ride from the trip starting point to a temple in their dress slacks, white shirt, and acceptable footwear. On arrival at the temple they can remove their leather jacket, gloves, and helmet, then add a tie and a sport coat if desired, and be entirely presentable. The ladies have a bit more work to do.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to make the RTT (Road To Temple) transformation is found in the judicious choice of the road gear. Choosing a modest and comfortable top is the first step. For ease of riding the bike for a few minutes or a few hours, select leg wear that is safe and modest as you would for a scenic outing. Now - add a skirt that won’t showcase any extra wrinkles that may be added as you travel. You can either wear it bunched around your waist as you ride, or put it in a saddlebag or temple bag to slip on in the parking lot. Either way, once the skirt is in place the riding jeans can be modestly removed as you stand behind the bike on something like a plastic bag to keep your feet clean and dry. Then it’s just a matter of removing your riding socks or changing them to knee-hi nylons (or wear them underneath) and your boots to shoes, touching up make-up using a compact or bike mirror, fixing "helmet hair", and then stroll up to the temple doors.

Just a note, some temples have a restroom in a visitor center, or vestibule just inside the front door, where patrons can change from traveling clothes. A prior phone call to the temple can provide this information.

 

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Compassionate Service Rider

A TRA Compassionate Service Rider is the contact person in each chapter when a member of your chapter is very sick, hospitalized, or has passed away. Let them know if you become aware of one of these circumstances and if information about it has not yet been posted on our website or Facebook group. They can then contact the member or the member's family and with permission, they will post the information so other TRA members can offer support.

Complete information is in these downloadable documents:  Word  PDF

 

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Biannual Rally Timeline

The objective of a rally is to bring folks together, make new friends, build relationships, give newer members a sense of belonging (especially if they are not in a chapter), and create an overall “esprit-de-corps” for the TRA.

Complete information is in these downloadable documents:  Word  PDF

 

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General Director Duties

The General Director of the Temple Riders Association (TRA) is appointed by a majority vote of the executive committee (EC) and serves at the discretion of that committee. He or she is a voting member of the committee, attends committee meetings, and is the “Face” of the TRA.

Complete information is in these downloadable documents:  Word  PDF

 

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Bylaws & Policies

The following files are in Microsoft Word and PDF formats.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary to view or print PDF files, Click here to download a free copy.

Official TRA Bylaws Word PDF
Donations Word PDF
Sunday Rides Word PDF
Endurance Rides Word PDF
Rides and Events Word PDF

 

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Terms & Conditions

Any person who takes part in any TRA ride or activity or any ride or activity planned by sponsored by or supported by any TRA member, shall accept the full responsibility and liability for their own actions, their own person and their own property, and shall hold harmless the TRA, its officers, and its members in the event of any injury or accident. Acceptance of membership in the TRA or participation in any TRA event is evidence of acceptance of these TRA terms & conditions, and all members of the TRA are urged to explain these TRA terms & conditions to their friends and/or guests who may, from time to time, participate in any TRA ride or activity.

 

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Website Use

The full functionality of this website is reserved for active members of the Temple Riders Association and its use constitutes acceptance of the Terms and Conditions. Once current membership is verified, your account will be activated and you will be notified via email. For information about joining the TRA please click the Join Us link above.



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