Bike run unites Western States lodges in common interest

On June 22, 20 Local 92 (Los Angeles) Boilermakers road out on their motorcycles from their hall in Carson, California, and began a 256-mile run up the coast—all in the name of brotherhood. 

Meanwhile on the other side of the state, 20 members from Local 549 (Pittsburg, California), set out for a 255-mile run south from their lodge in the Bay Area. The Boilermaker bikers met up in middle in San Simeon, marking the first ever L-92/L-549 “Stronger Together” Bike Run and a full day of fun, food, karaoke—and unity.

Both lodges point to L-92’s Hugo Castañeda as the mastermind behind the event. L-92 had hosted two previous bike runs: The first took riders to Newport Beach and the next was a run to San Diego.

“Every year, we had a good turnout of members joining, and I thought, why not push it all the way up there and make it work,” Castañeda said. “Some of us don’t get to share things we enjoy outside of work. During work, everybody’s together and unified. Then we all go home, and that’s it. The bike run is a good thing outside of work where we can bring in real brotherhood.”

So, L-92 floated the idea of a bike run together with L-549. They liked it, and plans began. The lodges discussed possible meet-up locales, costs, how costs would be divided (right down the middle) and what the union would cover vs. participants’ expenses. 

After plotting a half-way point in San Simeon, Castañeda found a hotel that could accommodate the group and was a perfect setup with a bar and grill on the same lot. Once the Boilermakers arrived, they would be able to relax and fully enjoy the evening without needing to ride elsewhere for dinner and entertainment. 

The locals covered the cost of the hotel and food, so participants only needed to pay for their gas and incidentals. Several Boilermakers who wanted to participate but aren’t motorcycle owners opted to rent Slingshots at their own cost.

“The way up there was amazing, and it was a beautiful, nice ride,” Castañeda said. “We took the coast—the long way there. L-549 did too, and we stopped at a couple spots to enjoy the view.”

“The entire Bike Run had several memorable moments, from the point we all met at the local the morning of the ride to every gas stop where members were able to stretch and express how much fun they were having riding down together to meet with L-92,” added L-549’s Osvaldo Troche Jr., who helped plan the event. 

 They stayed in touch with the hotel, alerting them of their estimated time of arrival, so dinner and drinks were ready when they got there. After a meal together and a surprise birthday cake for L-549 member Angela Greer, evening activities turned to games of pool, lots of storytelling and karaoke.

“The night-time karaoke was pretty dope, and that lasted for hours,” said L-549 apprentice coordinator Che Rocchild, who also planned the run. “The singing and dancing was pretty contagious. But the morning after was also a chill time. Everybody eventually made it out to the parking lot after getting breakfast, and we spent a good amount of time just congregating, chatting, getting to know each other.”

Which was exactly the point. 

There was a time when the relationship between the two California locals was a bit tense. Both locals acknowledge that—and they point to the work done by past business managers Oscar Davila (L-92, now deceased) and Tim Jefferies (L-549, now an International Rep) to re-establish unity and focus on the commonalities of all Boilermakers. L-92 and L-549 have continued the path forward together.

“We’ve continued that work among lodge officers, and we wanted to share that with all the members—to show that we all deal with the same issues and hurdles, we’re all on the same page, in the same state,” Castañeda said, noting that L-92 has emphasized how success grows when all Boilermakers work together as a team. He also pointed out that members of both locals travel to one another’s jobs to fulfill needed manpower.

“In L-92 and L-549, we deal with the same project headaches and contractors, so it makes sense to join forces,” he said. “It sparked my idea for, why not hang out outside of work. Why not as a joint international brotherhood make that happen.”

While the event was a lot of fun for those who participated, the impact on team building is seriously important. 

Toche said having the chance to break bread and let loose together, “fostered a bond which allows new members joining these two locals to hear a different narrative than when I joined nearly 18 years ago.”

Rocchild agreed: “We need more brotherly togetherness. We preach on how we are supposed to function, but I think the act of actually functioning together is sometimes left by the wayside. 

“This event shows members we are past any and all of the previous bickering—and what better way to do so than a function that allows us to function, party and relax as one.”

Castañeda hopes the event will continue and grow.

 “My vision is for this next year to push it even further and get more locals involved,” he said. “And who knows, maybe it will go across the country. We’ve got some real riders out there.”