STEPPENWOLF's “Born to be Wild”, THE biker anthem that Peter Fonda used in his 1969 film Easy Rider. That movie was a fantasy for “wannabe” bikers. They love it. Along with the drugs and drinking they practiced, their “rides” (as they would be called) were always in pieces. They would say “I blew my motor” or “I'm building a Harley basket case” and were waiting for their ship to come in, like a dying relative who they hoped would leave them riches in a will.
Wannabe's would come into our bike shop dressed in leathers, jeans, boots, black t-shirt, looking every bit a “Bad Ass Biker”. They would purchase the latest issue of 'Easy Riders' magazine, a patch or two, having just come from the liquor store and their drug dealer, looking to party with us. They would keep their drugs and liquor locked in their vehicles. Now they were broke, having spent all the money they could beg off their ol' ladies welfare check, bragging about their latest DWI, how the courts had punished them by requiring them to attend AA meetings and get their “card” signed. This was before the DWI laws became what they are today.
Wannabes always said or did something stupid. “Hey Man can I bum a smoke?”, pissing me off. They wanted to drink my beer, never bringing any “suds” of their own. Their beggin' would get old and they would be asked to leave- “Hey man, you're a fuckin mooch!! DI-DI FUCKIN MAO!”
This was usually enough. If it wasn't they would get their ass kicked and then leave. Bikers had learned who was “real” and who they could party with- there had to be trust. It was much more than getting a keg or two. Finding a private isolated area, with trees and water, somewhere you could build a fire, pitch a tent, where once you opened a beer, your bike stayed on its kickstand for the weekend having learned that DWIs keep you from riding. The campgrounds had to be private to keep the cops out. Rules were enforced by whoever put on the party.
Having a few Big Friends, clubs had “Enforcers” who would keep you in and the “RIFF RAFF” OUT! No Firearms. No class “A's”- anybody who had a warrant wasn't welcome. That squad sittin' outside the gate can come and get your ass, if after running your plate, they find out you got a bunch of tickets that you neglected to take care of. They will get some more of their cop buddies and rouse all of us.
This is a biggie: NO underage “HOOTCHIE! I know she don't look or act 15, but that underage Hootchie will bring more “heat” down on us than a 5 alarm fire. Bring her back when she is “LEGAL”. This is how the partying is set up for the big gatherings, like Sturgis. A lawyer (wouldn't ya know it) runs a huge campground- 26 bars, a giant stage, their own security- and he and his family have made$$$$$$ions. Its become a year-round full time job. It's how they party nowadaze!
HEAVY METAL THUNDER! Rat
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