I am a biker and I am a martial artist. I've been training and studying martial arts since I was 14 (pre-dating my driver's license). I've been consistently riding a motorcycle since graduating college, but rode mini-bikes as a kid and dirt bikes a little older.
For further background (not to get on a soap box), I'm a founding brother and officer for the San Antonio chapter of the Iron Order MC . The Iron Order MC is the third largest MC in the world and the largest non-1% MC in the world with 120 chapters in 39 states and 7 countries. We are a totally independent (not a member of COC, NCOC, AMA or any other "sanctioning body") traditional (men only, 3-piece patch, 1950's-60's style bylaws) MC and totally law-abiding (well, except for speeding, and sometimes helmet laws...) We're not a LEMC ("Cop club") or a military/veteran MC, although we do have plenty of police officers and current and former military as brothers. We are a brotherhood that loves to ride hard, play harder and enjoy that brotherhood.
Love the black denim. Mine's an '09. Looks classic and makes the chrome gleam all the more...or at least it would if I washed it more... I'll see if I remember to post a pic.
Understanding resolve and indomintable spririt takes on a whole new meaning when you are forced to stand toe to toe with a group of 1%ers that take offense that you didn't ask for their "permission" to do what is your constitutional (in the US, any way) right to do while they "bravely" outnumber you 5:1 (or more). What truly takes mental and spiritual strength is understanding that although violence is easy at that time, standing firm while staying professional (most times, any way...) without choosing violence unless it is chosen for you.
For many, but certainly not all, this "outside the law" includes illegal and immoral revenue streams related to drugs, prostitution, child pronography, gun-running, etc. Many aslo solve arguments with other clubs that they don't approve of by blowing up their houses, cars, and ambushing them 5-10:1 or running them off the road in rented u-haul trucks and using those terroristic tactics to intimidate other groups that want to organize and ride together.
The term 1%er refers to the vast minority of bikers that participate in those activites. I don't know what the actual % is, but it's pretty close. Even many who identify themselves as 1%er don't use those tactics. Just like any large group of folks, you have the small number of "radicals" that try to impose their will on others though fear of violence and actual violence.
All that being said...here's my bike...damn lucky I remembered!
For further background (not to get on a soap box), I'm a founding brother and officer for the San Antonio chapter of the Iron Order MC . The Iron Order MC is the third largest MC in the world and the largest non-1% MC in the world with 120 chapters in 39 states and 7 countries. We are a totally independent (not a member of COC, NCOC, AMA or any other "sanctioning body") traditional (men only, 3-piece patch, 1950's-60's style bylaws) MC and totally law-abiding (well, except for speeding, and sometimes helmet laws...) We're not a LEMC ("Cop club") or a military/veteran MC, although we do have plenty of police officers and current and former military as brothers. We are a brotherhood that loves to ride hard, play harder and enjoy that brotherhood.
Love the black denim. Mine's an '09. Looks classic and makes the chrome gleam all the more...or at least it would if I washed it more... I'll see if I remember to post a pic.
Understanding resolve and indomintable spririt takes on a whole new meaning when you are forced to stand toe to toe with a group of 1%ers that take offense that you didn't ask for their "permission" to do what is your constitutional (in the US, any way) right to do while they "bravely" outnumber you 5:1 (or more). What truly takes mental and spiritual strength is understanding that although violence is easy at that time, standing firm while staying professional (most times, any way...) without choosing violence unless it is chosen for you.
For many, but certainly not all, this "outside the law" includes illegal and immoral revenue streams related to drugs, prostitution, child pronography, gun-running, etc. Many aslo solve arguments with other clubs that they don't approve of by blowing up their houses, cars, and ambushing them 5-10:1 or running them off the road in rented u-haul trucks and using those terroristic tactics to intimidate other groups that want to organize and ride together.
The term 1%er refers to the vast minority of bikers that participate in those activites. I don't know what the actual % is, but it's pretty close. Even many who identify themselves as 1%er don't use those tactics. Just like any large group of folks, you have the small number of "radicals" that try to impose their will on others though fear of violence and actual violence.
All that being said...here's my bike...damn lucky I remembered!
]
