I Whimped Out

[jkane]

I was going out Saturday to a biker bar in Central Wisconsin, not far from where I grew up. It was to see a Pantera tribute band. I wanted to do something with the wife since I was out hunting for the week and she was finally there with me. Nothing much to do in that part of the state unless you like country and western or polka music! When I found that band playing, it was better than anything else I found.

Anyhow, I had my kilt along, and had every intention of wearing it. My niece who lives near there said she couldn't recommend that bar, and that I should definitely NOT wear a kilt there! My wife also gave me funny looks when I grabbed it to put it on. So, I went with plain old blue jeans instead.

I should have went with my initial instincts! I certainly would have gotten many funny looks from the natives as kilts are unheard of around there. But, I didn't see anything that would have gotten me in a fight or anything like that. There was plenty of room for me to avoid anyone who would have been looking for trouble, and even one guy with bright red hair. He didn't have a problem, so why would a kilt anger the townsfolk!

There was a bunch of bikers with colors (a word for club patches) on. But they looked more like a group of friends, not troublemakers. Actually, I find that the 1%ers (those bikers who like to cause trouble) respect a man in a kilt more so than the mainstream people!

Oh well! Lesson learned. Next time I am in the part of the world, I will wear it. Main reason I decided not was my wife. I don't mind being embarrassed, but she traveled 4 hours to see me and make me happy, so the least I could do for her was to not embarrass her too much.

[Tobus]

Going into a biker bar where you don't know anyone... with a kilt on... could be just asking for trouble. All it takes is one drunk guy to start mouthing off, encouraged by his drunk buddies. Even if they mean no harm, harm can quickly take place. You'd be in their element where they feel safe. One wrong look at them, though, can lead to trouble. The folks there may have seemed friendly, but that's because you didn't stand out. And not having been there before, you couldn't have known whether it would be full of friendlies or enemies.

I'm all for wearing a kilt into new places, but there's a limit to it! I don't think you're a wimp at all; you made a smart choice. Maybe if you were a regular there and knew some people it would be different. But as it was, you did the right thing.

[thescot]

. . .Actually, I find that the 1%ers (those bikers who like to cause trouble) respect a man in a kilt more so than the mainstream people!

Oh well! Lesson learned. Next time I am in the part of the world, I will wear it. Main reason I decided not was my wife. I don't mind being embarrassed, but she traveled 4 hours to see me and make me happy, so the least I could do for her was to not embarrass her too much.

I agree with your opinion. I used to be a weekend warrior on my Harley, but the 1%ers were the least of my worries. I only had trouble with four-wheelers and wannabes.

Like you, I don't hestitate anymore since I also whimped out one time like you. No more.

[james a. husky]

The kilt might bear the message: This boy is ONE BAD MOFO!!!

I wouldn't want to try it myself, but I seldom go to bars and have even less use for "bikers"!

Jim aka (2001 Harley Davidson Wide Glide)

[Buckskin]

I agree with Tobus, don't go into a bar, any bar, that your not known at- wearing a kilt. you just don't know what the attitude of the bar is, and who the alpha personalities are. I exist in the "Biker" world, am a patch holder, and I'm well known in this biker comunity. Still I would not walk into an unfamiliar bar kilted.

[Bart_In_A_Kilt]

Where in Central Wisconsin, Our "Clan" ? has property up in Bigflats.
but I prefer to just wear the kilt here in the home town, down to the pub.

Bart
Oconomowoc, Wi

[dfmacliam]

I have 1% biker friends and I have been kilted with them...yeah they give me a ration... but they also respect me for having the guts to wear it, LOL.. especially in front of them...LOL
Honestly, If I am in a biker bar... its usually with my friends.. and people leave us alone..

[QMcK]

I assume that when you talk about patched bikers, you do not necessarily refer to members of a criminal gang. 'Patched bikers' = 'criminal gang members' in NZ, as far as I'm aware, so I'm finding it a bit odd that you even associate with patched bikers. Let alone that you would consider wearing a kilt around them.

[SteveB]

Q
this is where the local language comes into play:
Patched bikers here are bikers that display on their clothing the patch or emblem of the group they belong to. A local group has "BosHOGS" on most of their kit. It stands for Boston Harley Owners Group. Most of them I meet on the road are senior citizens on road tours together. 1%ers exist everywhere, but do not seem to be interested in messing with a gent with the b____ to wear a kilt into the bar.

[jkane]

It was in Wisconsin Rapids.

The "patch" was obviously for a local riding group. They were the Black Toothed Grin Motorcycle Club. Never heard of it before. And they were all 30's or so in age, which makes me think friends, and not gang. Most "gangs" I have come across have older bikers in the group and some very young blood as prospects. As someone said, here, many people are friends, and just wear a common patch for fun, not to set themselves apart from other groups. I am a HOG member myself, and ride with a couple other groups, but don't wear patches. Right now, I don't even wear a HOG patch when I am with them. I am the president of a club where I work at too. Well, only for another month, and then my 2 years are up and someone else takes over.

Half of the bar was just "normal" people, if you can call anyone from my home town area "normal". (Including me!) It was more like a biker friendly bar, not a biker owned and run club house.