---I had found my man.. and so after years of traveling independent, I hung with the Club at open functions all that Summer. Things must have been right with me and the Ol'Man since I was now "Property of". There was a major event in the Club that fall.. a Mother Club wedding. My man's Prez had already taken me in. My bikes and my attitude marked me as a true Sis to him from the start. He decided that I should ride with them there..
---We left in a drenching downpour from a black sky. I had been riding for about 12 years by then on my Chopper, Dix. I'd only had Black thru that summer. His rake, drag bars & dual disk brakes made his handling a far cry from Dix's. They rode hard and fast and I nearly burnt his tranny up. Only because of my years of experience, did I somehow manage to stay with the Pack. It was a hard journey. One stretch of road stands out in my mind.. a poorly marked construction zone. They had pulled up the many layers of asphalt and left only the gravel base. It was still raining and foggy when we hit it full throttle.
---It was a long way before I caught my breath on the other side. Hell, I just let Black fly after that. We arrived early and each hour of the morning brought more patches.. by the time of the wedding, it seemed hundreds were there. We were at a forest shelter and got to help with the final preparations. The Club women are buzzin and bitchin and gettin it done. It was a beautiful wedding. The symbolism and the reality of the throngs of lined up Bikes and Bros held me in awe.
---It was when it came time to leave for the reception, as we were saddling up, that some of them noticed that I was on my own bike.. a few winks from my bros, but of the other looks, contempt was the hardest to face. They pulled out, headed to the reception hall and I found my place just before the rear Road Capt. The Brother riding across from me was packin an Ol lady, and she must have had broke ribs from the elbow he gave her when she looked my way. I felt his dislike and was determined to win his respect, at least on that ride. I stayed perfectly in formation. Hell, Dix had taught me to ride, and Black was much easier to maneuver, so I rode him for all he was worth.. I just rode!
---We went about 10 miles, thru some town and arrived at the building.. most wandered on inside. My ol'man always had duties, so I was used to fending for myself. I slithered in and found an obscure place on a far wall. When the old men came in, it was truely an air of respect that filled the building. As they made their way thru the Brothers, I began to notice an opening path coming toward me. From its center, a man approached me and shook my hand as he asked my name.. he knew my ol'man from my patch. He was a man that apprieciated Sportsters, and had watched me ride Black on the way to the Hall, when my only thought had been keepin' pace with that Bro beside me. He smiled as he said something about me being one helluva rider. As he walked away, I saw the look in many of the nearby Patch Holder's eyes. I had been just a Bitch on a Bike.. was I still?
---Several brothers who had seen that exchange talked to me then.. and later at the bar, all was very good. I always wanted a brother growing up, so I apprieciate the men I meet. Many women have a rough life in the club, yet many seem to want it that way. I was always treated with the respect that I worked hard to deserve. On thru the years, I would get to know & love & ride with many of them. While most talked motors with me, a few always kept me in trouble! But, not as much as the women did! But, thats another story.. I do remember on that night, in the wee hours when the bros had moved on, the women stepped up to the pool table.. in awe I watched, and then later challenged.. now I can shoot, but I only stayed alive from their mistakes. A tough crowd all around.
---I had many wild times in my years with the club.. some things I miss, some things I don't. But what stood out most was the Brotherhood and the Respect! We independents can have it, but to see it enmass.. I do really miss that in much of this citizen world..
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