Author’s Note: I am not a patched member of a 1% motorcycle club. I have no affiliation with any said club, nor should any connection of any kind be inferred. I do not speak for any motorcycle club…only for myself. There are many different clubs, chapters of clubs, and individual riders in this world, each with different ideas about things and not much interest in YOUR opinions or YOUR things. If you want to leave a comment about this post, make sure to keep all club names out your fuckin’ mouth. Thanks!
The world of motorcycle clubs is a complicated one. I’m not going to school you on the whole thing…there is too much. Like I do with wine and food, I only want to give you the tools you need to begin whatever journey you are intent on taking. So here are a few pointers if you are interested in an MC…
1) Shut the fuck up. Just in general. No one likes a loudmouth, and bikers like them even less.
2) Don’t call anyone “brother” who has a patch on the back of their cut. Brotherhood is the glue that holds the MC world together, and they don’t use that word casually. You don’t have to be an ass-kisser either, but don’t use that word around bikers and you’ll possibly avoid some on-the-spot public schooling. (Personally, as an old Hulk Hogan fan, calling everyone “brother” was a hard habit to break…I’m not gonna lie.)
3) You can wear your Sons Of Anarchy gear around 1%ers if you want. Its fine. To them, its a tell that you are a civilian and they’ll just leave you be.
4) But don’t wear any of those “Lone Wolf – No Club” patches or shirts around them. To them, when you wear those you are saying that you think you are too good to be in an MC, and they won’t be impressed by your expression of independence.
5) Speaking of which, for a culture born of a desire to live free from the expectations and rules of an oppressive mainstream, there are a TON of rules within the 1% community. As in any subculture of any kind, some of the MC rules were born of necessity, some of tradition, and some because humans just like making rules for other humans to follow. They don’t care that this is all more than a little ironic, and don’t want to have a debate about it. Their world…their rules. Move on.
6) Be yourself. The only way you are going to find out if MC culture is for you is to see how your authentic self fits into that world. Personally, the role that fits me best is as a supporter who observes the general rules of the life. I’m comfortable in my skin and in that role. Wherever your journey leads, the real you will out in the end, so you might as well be you from the start.
If you follow these general guidelines and be respectful, someone will likely fill you in on any other stuff you need to know.
And remember…bikers aren’t gangsters; they are traditionalists.
But don’t fuck with them…just to be safe, you know?
