Join the Riders
The American Legion Riders of Post 259 are open to any Legion family member who rides. Three requirements. No waiting list. Here is exactly what it takes.
Free
To Join the Riders
Our chapter is sponsored by local businesses. Legion, SAL, or Auxiliary dues are separate and paid to the Legion.
Active
Riders, Not a Mailing List
Members ride, help at events, and make meetings when they can. That is the Riders.
Any Post
Legion Membership Counts
Legionnaire, SAL, or Auxiliary anywhere, not just Post 259.
Base Patches, On Us
New members get their starter patches provided at no cost, sponsored by local businesses. See the full vest and patches guide for what goes where.
The Three Requirements
Legion Family Member
You must be a current member in good standing of the American Legion, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), or the American Legion Auxiliary. Not a Legion member yet? You can join Post 259 first and then apply to the Riders.
Motorcycle Ready
You must own a motorcycle of at least 350cc displacement. Trikes and sidecars are welcome. You do not need to own a specific brand or style. What matters is that you ride.
Street Legal
You must hold a valid motorcycle license (Class M or equivalent for New York) and carry current state-required insurance for your bike.
How to Get Started
- 1
Confirm your Legion membership
Make sure your American Legion, SAL, or Auxiliary membership is current. It does not have to be at Post 259; membership at any post counts. If you are not a member yet, here is how to join the American Legion, or contact Post 259 at (607) 601-1273 or stop by 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta and we will get you started.
- 2
Download and fill out the application
Download the Riders application below. Note the paperwork it asks for, including your DD-214 if you have one.
Download Riders Application - 3
Submit and show up
Bring your completed application to your first meeting, or mail or email it in if that is easier. Once it is verified and you are current on your Legion dues, you are a member. No separate cost to join the Riders themselves.
Contact the Post
American Legion Post 259
279 Chestnut Street
Oneonta, NY 13820
Meetings: Second Thursday of every month, 7 PM
You can also stop by the Post in person. If you want to see what a ride day looks like before committing, check the schedule and come out as a guest for one of our runs.
This Is a Ride-and-Show-Up Kind of Group
Our members ride, help at events, and make it to meetings. That is part of being a Legion Rider, not a badge you wear once and forget.
Life gets busy, and nobody is going to hold it against you for missing a ride here and there. What matters is that you show up when you can and stay part of the group.
Regular attendance also carries some weight when it comes to voting on Post matters, so showing up matters for more than one reason.
Common Questions
- Do I have to pay dues to join the Riders?
- There is no separate cost to join ALR Post 259. Our chapter is sponsored by local businesses, so Riders membership itself is free. You do need to be a current member in good standing of the American Legion, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), or the American Legion Auxiliary, and that Legion family membership carries its own dues paid to the Legion, not to us.
- Do I need to own a motorcycle to join?
- To be a full member of the Riders, yes, you need to own a motorcycle. If you do not ride, you can still be part of the Riders as a supporter. Spouses of Post 259 Riders members are automatically Riders members too.
- When and where do you meet?
- We meet the second Thursday of every month at 7 PM at American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.
- How do I actually join?
- Reach out through the contact form or by phone and we will get you in touch with a member who can send you the application. Fill it out, note the paperwork it asks for including your DD-214 if you have one, and bring it to your first meeting to submit, or mail or email it in. Once it is verified and you are current on your Legion dues, you are a member.
- Do I have to hit a certain number of rides or meetings?
- There is no set number written down anywhere, but this is an active group of Riders. Members ride, help at events, and make meetings when they can, and life happens, so nobody holds it against you for missing things here and there. Regular attendance also carries some weight when it comes to voting on Post matters.
- Do I have to belong to the Legion at Post 259 specifically?
- No. You need to be a member in good standing of the American Legion, SAL, or Auxiliary somewhere, but it does not have to be Post 259. You can belong to a Legion post anywhere and still ride with us.
- What patches do I need for my vest?
- Base patches are provided to new members at no cost, sponsored by local businesses. We put together a full guide to the vest and what each patch means. Read the vest and patches guide.
- What is KSU?
- Kickstands up. The moment we stop talking and start riding. You will see it on every run announcement.
Still have a question? Send it to us directly.