Biker
04-22-2008, 09:08 AM
Since my arrival to Tampa, I've found myself heavily immersed in the bike/club life again. For the most part, this is a great lifestyle, with brothers ready to help you out with some rug space, a hot meal, and support. But every now and then, the dark side rears its ugly head and you realize that life is rather fragile at times.
As with many areas across the US, the club I belong to has a treaty with the local 1%ers that allow us to fly our colors without getting hassled. For the most part, these treaties are honored, and many of us usually end up with some great friendships with those same 1%ers. It's easy to forget that the doo-doo can hit the fan at the drop of a hat.
For example, at one of the local bars here Saturday, one of the local drug dealers decided he didn't like one of the members of an outlaw club here. Seems the member was chatting up one of the gals in the bar and the dealer took exception to it. The dealer gutted the guy. One emergency surgery and 24 hours later, the individual is home, but the dealer is toast if he's ever found. And this isn't just one of those things that will blow over in a few days. He'll be running looking over his shoulder until he's found, and he will be found. Wonder if the gator will get indigestion??
The purpose of the post? There are a few new riders amongst us here at GA, and once the beginning jitters wear off and the confidence sets in, you may be tempted to check out some of the local family organizations. These organizations are fun and you develop friendships that will last forever. But you also need to realize that there's a seedy side to our lifestyle that can raise it's ugly head when you least expect it.
Don't let the 1% part of riding spoil it. You will run into it at some point in time. Usually it'll be a quick handshake and that's it. Whatever you do, just don't piss him off. :haha:
As with many areas across the US, the club I belong to has a treaty with the local 1%ers that allow us to fly our colors without getting hassled. For the most part, these treaties are honored, and many of us usually end up with some great friendships with those same 1%ers. It's easy to forget that the doo-doo can hit the fan at the drop of a hat.
For example, at one of the local bars here Saturday, one of the local drug dealers decided he didn't like one of the members of an outlaw club here. Seems the member was chatting up one of the gals in the bar and the dealer took exception to it. The dealer gutted the guy. One emergency surgery and 24 hours later, the individual is home, but the dealer is toast if he's ever found. And this isn't just one of those things that will blow over in a few days. He'll be running looking over his shoulder until he's found, and he will be found. Wonder if the gator will get indigestion??
The purpose of the post? There are a few new riders amongst us here at GA, and once the beginning jitters wear off and the confidence sets in, you may be tempted to check out some of the local family organizations. These organizations are fun and you develop friendships that will last forever. But you also need to realize that there's a seedy side to our lifestyle that can raise it's ugly head when you least expect it.
Don't let the 1% part of riding spoil it. You will run into it at some point in time. Usually it'll be a quick handshake and that's it. Whatever you do, just don't piss him off. :haha: