Clubs.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Out west ... sorta'
RE: Clubs.
I patched with two clubs as a youngster. The first was something in-between HOG and hardcore, and the other was full-on 1%.
As someone else said ... you don't 'join' so much as you become accepted after hanging out and getting to know folks. And getting thru the hang-around phase and then prospecting is a long and sometimes brutal process, and there's all sorts of thangs that come with the camaraderie and brotherhood that might surprise you. So think long and hard before you take the plunge.
I have a lot of respect for guys who can do the 1%er club thang, and I have two bothers who still do it. I sometimes still feel the urge, and there are things about that kind of life that will always be a draw for me. But I am a completely different person nowadays and am more suited to a HOG chapter. I have become the guy I laughed at 20 years ago.
As someone else said ... you don't 'join' so much as you become accepted after hanging out and getting to know folks. And getting thru the hang-around phase and then prospecting is a long and sometimes brutal process, and there's all sorts of thangs that come with the camaraderie and brotherhood that might surprise you. So think long and hard before you take the plunge.
I have a lot of respect for guys who can do the 1%er club thang, and I have two bothers who still do it. I sometimes still feel the urge, and there are things about that kind of life that will always be a draw for me. But I am a completely different person nowadays and am more suited to a HOG chapter. I have become the guy I laughed at 20 years ago.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
From: Ada, Michigan
RE: Clubs.
The local HOG group is a good start. Don't overlook non MC clubs that may interest you. I found a few riders in a gun club that I belong to. nothing like shooting and riding, not necessarily at the same time (although that might be fun)
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Clubs.
I would like to try and join a MC also but with my kids and wife I just dont have the time to put into it. Sounds like something I would be into but I have to be a family man now so my crazy days are for the most part behind me. So for now I just spend time with the family and when the kids go to bed I smoke up and polish the scoot. That is when I dont go riding.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
RE: Clubs.
Thanks Snakum. Yeah I know what you guys mean I'm getting up there to, I'm still single and got the wild don't give a s___ atittude sometimes. I am going to take the advice given enjoy the ride meet some vets and see how things go. I really appreciate the input. 11B you know who you are!!!!!!!!!!!
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Clubs.
I was into an M/C many years ago, before the Navy. When I joined the Navy I handed in the colors.
Now, as a Vet I ride with the American Legion Riders. The ALR is a great group to ride with but research the posts in your area. There are quite a few Posts that have nothing but Ice Cream Riders in them. The post I belong to acts and rides like an M/C and they are true brothers and sisters. I would trust any one of them with my life and they would with me too.
The main difference between ALR and an M/C is that there isn't any prospecting or probating and no patching in. Also, we allow woman to be full fledge bike riding members, something most M/C's will not even consider. But, don't let that fool you, in my post just because you own a scoot, join the American Legion and buy a patch doesn't mean you will be excepted by us.
Now, as a Vet I ride with the American Legion Riders. The ALR is a great group to ride with but research the posts in your area. There are quite a few Posts that have nothing but Ice Cream Riders in them. The post I belong to acts and rides like an M/C and they are true brothers and sisters. I would trust any one of them with my life and they would with me too.
The main difference between ALR and an M/C is that there isn't any prospecting or probating and no patching in. Also, we allow woman to be full fledge bike riding members, something most M/C's will not even consider. But, don't let that fool you, in my post just because you own a scoot, join the American Legion and buy a patch doesn't mean you will be excepted by us.
RE: Clubs.
I looked into joining the local HOG chapter. But after checking their website and seeing that almost all of the members looked to be 55 and over and the extent of their rides was lunch rides to expensive restaurants, I passed. Not really my style or crowd. I also inquired about the local chapter of the Southern Cruisers after reading about them here. The pres responded back saying that the chapter had just formed the previous week. Problem for me is they are based about 50 miles south of me. Scratch number two. It is not that we need people to ride with. But it is nice every now and then to ride and hang out with a small group. We have met a great small group of people on here to ride with, but most of them live in NoVa so rides need to be scheduled and are not very frequent.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
RE: Clubs.
I here what your saying. I think thats what I'm gonna run into, I like to be myself and if by someone else's standards that f____up I don't care. By the same token if you get that tore up,do you have friends now you can count on to be responsible enough to say hey he's getting ripped watch him, or should I say (babysit him). I don't care I will babysit my friends and stay sober to make sure they go home to ride another day.