[Hot01]

My national membership is up in July and I'm glad I didn't renew yet. I had a very mediocre experience at the rally this weekend, and I think I've got all I'm going to get out of HOG.

I haven't yet joined a local chapter. There are several local chapters and meetings are once a month. I've missed them all so far. I thought I'd go to the rally and see if any one chapter stands out.

Now if I had just shown up alone, I wouldn't have had such high expectations, but I went with my friends, one of whom has been the rally coordinator for 5 years - the last one he ran being three years ago I think. So they know everyone. They introduced me to many people including most of the directors or assistant directors for several chapters. Not one expressed any interest in me becoming a member of their chapter. Nobody made any effort to be friendly beyond an initial, "Nice to meet you." OK. This brings up point number two.

It's a couple's club. There were several off-bike games and several bike games. There was one I could participate in on my own - the slow race. The rest all required a partner, which brings up the other part of the "couples issue". Women don't want to be friendly because they're afraid I'm going to steal their man (I'm not that good looking, but I guess any single woman is a predator). The guys can't be friendly or they'll piss off the women. So that left me either following my friends around like a puppy dog or just wandering aimlessly trying to strike up conversations with people who didn't want to talk to someone they didn't already know. I did manage to ride with a couple of guys for the poker run. I saw them getting ready to leave on their own and asked if I could tag along. That was fun.

Then there was the bike show. I'm trying really hard not to be a sore loser. I have to tell myself that my bike is not tip-top show condition. I have over 73,000 miles on it. The seat's a little worn. The handgrips are totally shot. There are some scuffs on the saddlebags where I carry my "tourpack" (big rubber, waterproof Seal bag) across my rear fender. My aftermarket oil cooler doesn't have a shiny chrome cover, and I have velcro on my tank panel to hold my home made map case/iPod carrying thing. But it's a nice bike. I have custom paint and fancy new chrome wheels and all kinds of extras, many of which are subtle and might not be obvious to someone who doesn't know a lot about bikes. In fact, if I had written on the entry form that it was a Softail Standard rather than an FXST, someone might have realized just how much I've done to the bike over the last seven years. But alas, I was up against 5 brand new Softail Deluxes and a sweet Street Glide. Had the Street Glide won, I would have been happy. But no! Three of the 5 stock deluxes won 1st, 2nd and 3rd. And there was an '86 in the Vintage class. 86! Maybe I'm getting old, but I hardly consider an '86 to be vintage. If they'd had a bad-ass biker bitch that can out-ride your ass competition, I'd have won. But it appeared to be the "how many judges from your chapter are judging your class" competition. Since I don't belong to a chapter, I can't imagine anyone even looked at my bike. I can only take solace in the fact that the trophies were butt-ugly and I won the $500 gift certificate. So there.

ABATE is very active and social around here. Since I work for them, I think I might see if that's more my speed. I've had it with the $20,000 and 20 mile crowd.

I did have a really nice solo ride up to Estes Park this afternoon though. I got sick of standing in the parking lot watching all the couples play their games while nobody spoke to me and took off. What a dream. First I went to visit my service writer at Thunder Mountain. He greeted me with a big hug, and even the service manager, who barely says a word, welcomed me warmly. The service manager gave me a suggestion on a route, which I took. Unbelievable. On such a hot weekend day, I headed up into the mountains without a car in front of me for miles. The curves were the kind where you can get a really good lean in, and as soon as you come out of one, you go into another. It feels like I imagine flying would, an eagle soaring on the breeze. It amazing how beautiful it is so close to the suburbs.

The weekend was not a total loss, but I do need to start thinking outside the box for my social biker needs.

[SK]

Give it some time and you'll find your own crowd to ride with. There's plenty of em around your area. As far as the bike contest, I won a few when my ole Royal Star was new with plenty of shiny chrome on it, but I rode the hell out of it and put 100,000 miles on it and it doesn't look so shiny any more. Your's is the same..you rode it..it's not necessarily for show now..it's a rider.

Did you ride up through Black Hawk/Central City (not worth stopping, but the roads are cool) to Nederland and up to Estes? Some great riding. Avoid Boulder as there are a million bicycles on the road around there..plus cages. A great ride is through Rocky Mtn Natl Park, then circle back north of the park through Pudre Canyon (sp), e.g., hwy 14, which is one of the most awesome roads in Colorado. You've got to ride all the out to Walden (north park, opposite of south park which is US285 SW of Denver).

[mwelych]

I agree with SK... Last club(?) or anyhting like that was years ago and After Jerry G. died, I hadn't wanted to join any others... I just don't play well with others...

[ironhorse]

well after reading your other thread it sounds that if properly played you could go back next year and take the butt ugly trophy, and then ride off to estes

[charlieharley0057]

You WILL meet the right people and when you do you will know it. Till then just keep on riding free and easy. FTA

[Hot01]

I wish I'd joined a chapter now. Maybe I could have found someone that would let me ride bitch. As much as I hate it, at least I wouldn't be sitting in a cage watching everyone else ride. I wonder if they'll let me join before I get my bike back. Hmmm.

[GreyBear]

Hey there Hot01,
Not sure what the issue is with HOG sometimes. I figured it was me. I showed up at one local chapter meeting and made a scene because someone I didn't know was leaning on my bike when I came out of the eatery. (To me ya don't pick up a firearm unless invited to, ya never kiss a woman til she indicates she would like the attention and you NEVER park your butt on anyone elses putt. The pretty little trophy wife got all pissy when I told her that there was a fee for being on my bike and she hadn't paid it, read the sticker on the helmet. So I had words with her SO, and became known as a "not so nice guy" lol.

Sounds like you are a bit like me. Too wild for the straights too mild for the outlaws, and too set in your ways to kiss anything South of the shoulders. Don't sweat it. I keep the National HOG memmbership for the perks, but at least around here not my cup of tea or me thiers.

Before anyone in HOG gets their panties in a wad, I have seen some good chapters out there. But around here they are more lukewarm.
Hope you're back riding again soon Hot.
Ride Free

[chucktx]

good post bear..................................

[Hot01]

You hit the nail on the head GreyBear. I was in a big hurry to join a chapter but not so much anymore. In fact, I kind of enjoyed at the rally when they'd ask what chapter I was in (bike show, slow race, etc) and I'd tell them I wasn't. So there I was, a single girl, unaffiliated. Yep, that's me in a nutshell.



My experience with chapters is that they are free labor for the dealership. That's one of those things you can either volunteer for or not, and I usually don't. Although I might try to pitch in some way that doesn't involve sitting at the dealership on a beautiful summer day flipping burgers while everyone else is out riding.

[AFNurse]

Originally Posted by Hot01

You hit the nail on the head GreyBear. I was in a big hurry to join a chapter but not so much anymore. In fact, I kind of enjoyed at the rally when they'd ask what chapter I was in (bike show, slow race, etc) and I'd tell them I wasn't. So there I was, a single girl, unaffiliated. Yep, that's me in a nutshell.



My experience with chapters is that they are free labor for the dealership. That's one of those things you can either volunteer for or not, and I usually don't. Although I might try to pitch in some way that doesn't involve sitting at the dealership on a beautiful summer day flipping burgers while everyone else is out riding.

A couple things that I have noticed is that 1) groups tend to be rather "clickish", and I myself don't like that (not even a national member of HOG)...... as to the burger flipping...think about his.....2) HOG.....Harley OWNERS Group....says NOTHING about Harly Riders Group.... just my observation..... I am sure that there are groups that do lots of great things. I am also sure that there are groups that don't do much except tell themselves how good they are....either way, while they are having their meetings or flipping burgers, I can ride or not as I choose. I have towing on my MC insurance, so have not lost that. Just my own .02 cents!!!

[charlieharley0057]

Hi BTDT Suprizingly (or NOT!) HOG is much the same this side of the Pond and appear to be either lunching groups or Sunnyday Sunday riders and very much up their own tunnels.

However we do have a Harley riders club "HDRCGB" (see link)

And they fit in really well between HOG and full blown MCs
I keep my Hog membership in date for the perks but thats that and when asked about Chapters I'm with "Chillout Chapter anywhere" that normally F^ck$ them up.


Welcome Page

The Harley-Davidson Riders Club Great Britain

[FLHTbiker]

Well I guess I'm the only one different here and have to disagree with most of whats been said. I'm sure I'll get a lot of crap back after reading the previous responses but just can't stand by without a response.
Hot, I think your expectations might have been set a little high, sometimes you have to get to know people before they open up. I've been a HOG member for many years now and love it. We have over 400 members in our chapter and we ride. There are several single men and several single women in the chapter which 2 of the single women are Road Captains in the Chapter. We go out of the way to welcome everyone in the chapter (including single women) and the other married women get along with all of the single women. I remember the first visit to this chapter and both my wife and I said maybe they didn't like us. We tried again and once we opened up to them it all changed and now its unbelievable. The members all help each other and care about each other. Yep, it is like a great big family and one that I'm really glad we made the choice to join in.

You can always ride alone if that's your thing but there is nothing better than enjoying the same like things with good friends, I wouldn't change a thing.

There are other groups, yes like ABATE that do good things but to me they at least around here are the bar hoppers and 20 mile riders. Our chapter just had a over nighter with 60 bikes to a place 240 miles one way called the Cowboy Dinner Tree and what a great time everyone had.

[ringo912]

I'm with Bear on ths one, good post.

[GreyBear]

As with everything else, it is the people not the organization. I get around a lot and I have met HOG members from a lot of chapters. Some ride the wheels off thier bikes and some have 40,000 dollar bikes that get trailered to Sturgis and Daytona. It is about finding people that ya fit in with. Around here, where I am the "rides" are from the Dealership to a bar and grill for supper. On the other hand I went with the group from Monroe Louisiana to Gulfport MS for the drags....those guys have a lot of 25K and 50K HOG milage patches.
And if ya wanna check out just what kind of long distance riders are in the local group look for those milage patches. the ones that earn them are proud to wear them.
Ride Free.....

[Red Rider]

The thing about HOG is folks just buy their way in. There is no real, direct earning of a HOG patch - the "earning" of the patch is done by dollars gained some other way. No picking of members, no significant effort required to ride with the group, just $. Like welfare for biker-gang-wannabees. Sometimes I come upon those groups and just cringe. I remember, after coming back to the States from years overseas on "interesting" missions, when I got my bike I automatically got a bunch of HOG pins and patches - I just felt is was too phony. I couldn't help but think how that geedunk stuff compared to my military medals and ribbons (OK - they didn't at all!).

Yeah, there are pins and things for events or miles, but really - am I riding for a pin or simply for the ride?

So even the best chapters will ultimately dull-out when the dilution of the local group becomes too much for it to maintain the fire needed.

But if you enjoy HOG, keep doing so & good for ya and . For my part I'll join some form of pack run every now and then, but my colors will first and always be the Red, White and Blue, and my best runs will be - and always have been - solo. Not as safe and secure as a pack, (are we really wanting safe and secure?) but far more soothing for my soul.

[Sleepy]

I ride with who I like to ride with..and also who I trust to ride with. I think HOG was a great marketing ploy....keep it in the family so to speak. My experience with HOG....[the local chapter] wasn't great. This was in the late 80's and I think the chapter was trying to find its place. I remember our chapter getting a letter from the area "patch" club warning us about the perils of wearing a three piece patch in their territory. Our chapter was a mixed bag ,some poseurs, some riders and some bikers....it didn't work for me.
Some of the rides were pretty hairy and I had a bit of an issue of it being a brand specific club..and that's my issue, not HOG's. I belong to a club that's been around for a while and I've been there for a while..it's pretty laid back and we have a pretty good time and there are some skilled riders and racers in it. There have been some good thoughts posted on this thread and I'm sure there are some good HOG chapters out there, sounds like Marc is in one...I keep the national membership for the maps ,etc. GreyBear has it pretty well nailed about it being the people.

[FlynDutchman]

Id say 90% of my rides have been solo too....I used to belong to "Guns & Fire" MC which are all cops & firemen but that was mainly because they sent me a flier with all the rides, swap meets & biker stuff coming up. With the advent of the internet, I dont need that so much any more....I ride every once in a while with some guys from work, we stop at some bars, screw around, which is what I'd be doing with any other club cept I dont have to pay for it this way.......all the better