I Whimped Out

[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.

[dowofbuchanan]

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.

well it would make sense that the club was called that, darryl abbotts favorite drink was called the black tooth grin, it was a crown and coke made backwards. pour in a shot of coke and fill with crown

[Smayniac]

My then wife asked me not to wear a kilt while walking the dog in Redding, California one Friday evening. She thought some young rednecks would pile out of a pickup and give me a beat down. I complied with her request; no regrets really, but I don't think it was as "dangerous" as she thought.
Bob

[QMcK]

Ok. Thanks for explaining that. I still don't think I'd wear a kilt, though. Most might respect you more, but it just takes one guy being an idiot to start a fight. I really would rather not draw attention (-ive or +ive) to myself in that type of situation.

[Strings]

Well, I've gotten a broad spectrum of attitudes from the 1%ers up here in the Manitowoc area. Some want to give me a ration (which I ignore), some think it's cool. Most couldn't care less.

One rule I DO have: never wear it while riding, or "working"

QMcK: I know Australia has similar rules, but that's changing. I know the BACA chapters out there are now allowed to fly their colors.

[csbdr]

Guys, you have to understand the difference between a "riding club" and a "Motorcycle club" or MC (M/C) A riding club is a group formed around a brand, usually, or a bunch of local guys who like to ride together. They typically have a single patch, which is purchased, as is often the membership. HOG is a good example.

A MC is a whole different animal. MC's are organized groups where the priviledge to wear the patch is earned, not bought. They very often are very structured, with clear codes of brotherhood. The "patchholders" are guys who have earned the right to wear the 3 piece backpatch of the club. There are typically dominant MC's in everycorner of the country, and they may control a variety of things, including whether you may form another club or not. Some are criminal enterprises, others are not at all, but all demand respect on and off the road. 1% clubs are the toughest of the lot. Not all MC's are 1% clubs. These guys will often have 1% tatoos, or a special patch.

Anyway, you've done well, and recieved the best advise from Buckskin, I think. Actually, patchholders are usually the least of the worry, as long as you don't act like a jerk yourself. The worst, in my experience, are the one-piece wannabees, and especially the MC prospects. Guys prospecting a club have something to prove, and often are looking for trouble.

[Riverkilt]

Don't have any biker bars in my little red neck town, but we used to have a biker sponsored Oktoberfest with lots of drunk "real" bikers. Went kilted many years, never a problem...lots of compliments. Think its that respect for courage thing.

[BroosterB1]

what he said! I don't frequent biker bars (or bars of any type) but I have several friends who are at all levels of Motorcycle riderdom, and yes a couple of "patched" individuals from a MC "club". Interestingly it's the "rougher" guys I get more respect from, the weekend riders give me more grief. At my age I doubt if anybody is going to start anything.....

[Riverkilt]

Good point! Now you're crackin' me up.

What 1%er is gonna wanna brag to his buddies that he just thrashed a 65-year-old man in a kilt??

And hey, some leather guys wear kilts too....

[Andy]

Don't have any biker bars in my little red neck town, but we used to have a biker sponsored Oktoberfest with lots of drunk "real" bikers. Went kilted many years, never a problem...lots of compliments. Think its that respect for courage thing.

Couldn't have said it better myself.....