There's been a lot of talk recently about motorcycle clubs as portrayed on TV, particularly in relation to Discovery Channel's "The Devil's Ride".
I won't debate that show's authenticity here (which I have serious doubts about) but it raises the question of what place these clubs in general have within our community, and how they can be perceived by each of us.
To non-bikers, the very idea of a motorcycle club conjures up images of Hells Angels and the debacle at Altamont, or Marlon Brando in the 1953 film The Wild One.
In truth, anyone who's ridden for any length of time, especially if you have been to any sort of rally, knows that there is more to much more to these and other club members than is perceived or meets the eye.
The other day I pulled into a gas station and noticed a group of 15 patched dudes and their gals parked a few feet away.
Four cars were filling their tanks, and almost everyone was eyeing the group suspiciously.
I spotted an old Indian Scout in the mix of Harleys and went over to have a look.
Within a few minutes, I learned that the bike was a 1946, its owner was Frank, and they were headed to a chapter party raising money for the sick daughter of a fellow member.
He invited me to ride along and meet up with them...
Yes, there are hardcore one percenters who thrive in a sordid, fringe aspect of society.
And there are clubs that might be considered borderline gangs, but those same personality types can also be found on Wall Street and running insurances scams in small town America.
A real club is about forming bonds of common interest, whether is is chess or motorcycling.
Okay, so there maybe there is a more sense of depth to the definition of "brotherhood" where bikers are concerned, but that shouldn't automatically conjure images of secret handshakes or smoky clubhouses.
I've known many patched men (and a few women) who are not only great, funny people, but also dedicated to helping humanity as a whole.
There are more charitable rides and gatherings organized by motorcycle clubs each year than anyone could possible count.
Being a member of a club offers opportunity for meeting like-minded people in a local community, a place of belonging for anyone who might feel personally disenfranchised, a network not unlike the Boy Scouts, Elks or Nantucket Gold Club.
In short, there can be something for everyone who rides.
Briefly, there are large national clubs that have a true organizational hierarchy, with small local or regional chapters.
Then there are much smaller, strictly local clubs that reach more deeply into a community.
Generally, membership is by invitation only.
My suggestion is that if you have any interest at all, take whatever general knowledge or information with a small grain of salt, and get to meet some of the members.
Some of the nicest guys, and closest relationships, I've developed over the years have been with guys who at first glance you would never approach at a bar.
Tattooed, leather-clad behemoths nicknamed Crusher are sometimes precisely the guy to tap on the shoulder if your tire blows out in the middle of nowhere.
Clubs of any sort are not for everyone, and that's ok.
Let's all give the ones who do like that camaraderie the same courtesy and not jump to judgment.
- Mark