Living The Biker Lifestyle. It's Not For Everyone

I've written a fair number of blogs in my life about living the biker lifestyle. Actually I've always enjoyed writing and reading about anything that is well written. I am proud of the fact that we are able to maintain both a biker blog and a biker forum at the Biker Lifestyle Network. And while blogs and forums are two completely different things, there are sites that cannot keep both active. We are fortunate that we can do so here. A lot of the reason for our ability to do so is the participation of our members. Without member participation any activity based site is pointless.


Living the biker lifestyle means different things to different people. To some people it merely means owning a bike and wearing a "biker t-shirt." To others it doesn't even involve owning a bike at all. Rather it's just the feeling of being part of group or club even if they don't ride. These are commonly referred to as "wannabes", however, not in a derogatory way. People that want to belong but for one reason or another just don't have what it takes to ride. Be it a financial hurdle (not being able to afford a bike) or an emotional one (being concerned with the inherent danger when riding), some people just want to be part of the biker brotherhood.


To me living the biker lifestyle has always been the far end of the spectrum. I ride year round even in the harsh, cold winter climate of northern Michigan. If the roads are dry and not icy, I will ride rather than drive every time. Riding to me is an escape. It's hard to think about any stressful issues in your life when you are riding. Sitting on an 800 lb bike as it rolls down the road is more than enough to keep your mind occupied. I wear the clothes that are typically associated with being a biker and do most of the things that the stereotypical biker does as well.


Additionally, I appreciate the brotherhood that goes with being a full time biker. 99% of my friends are full time bikers and we are all brothers and sisters united in our desire to live the lifestyle. We are aware that once accepted into a "family" of bikers that the bonds are strong and likely forever. Bikers are not fickle. They tend to make a decision and stick with it for the duration. Whether its the bike they choose, the ink on their arms or their friends. The decisions made are lasting.


The http://bikerlifestylenetwork.com/">Biker Lifestyle Network is a place for bikers of all levels (wannabes to full time riders) to meet and share experiences. It's not for everybody, however, being a biker is all there is to a lot of lucky people.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/living-the-biker-lifestyle-its-not-for-everyone-5656665.html" title="Living The Biker Lifestyle. It's Not For Everyone">http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/living-the-biker-lifestyle-its-not-for-everyone-5656665.html

About the Author

Johnny Yen is a full time biker and entrepreneur. He writes a variety of blogs on music and living the biker lifestyle.

Visit the Biker Lifestyle Network to read his blogs and learn about the biker lifestyle. http://bikerlifestylenetwork.com">http://bikerlifestylenetwork.com>

Biker Patches Can Express Many Points Of View

Author: Jon
Biker patches have been a part of motorcycle lore for almost as long as motorcycles have been around. They've been used for identification, making political statements and as warnings to others. Where the leather goes, the biker patches are sure to follow.

One of the key characteristics of motorcycle riders is that they tend to be an independent breed, people who are not afraid to shun convention. Biker patches are one way they choose to display that tendency in myriad ways. Some bikers also choose to wear biker patches to share their club or other organizational affiliations.

Some riders choose to wear small biker patches on their leather jackets or vests to display flags, political statements or humorous or philosophical sayings. Christian riders often wear biker patches that show their faith as part of their ministry to others. Other riders wear patches to commemorate a special event or road trip, such as Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week. Many wear memorial patches to remember friends who have died.

Some groups geared to a specific membership, such as the Patriot Guard Riders, wear biker patches specific to their organizations. Groups such as veterans' riders clubs, law enforcement officers' rider clubs and other groups also wear biker patches custom designed for those groups.

Many organizations such as riders' clubs sponsored by motorcycle manufacturers have their own biker patches as well. These are traditionally one-piece patches, as opposed to the three-piece biker patches worn by so-called "outlaw" motorcycle clubs. Manufacturer-sanctioned organizations such as the Harley Owners Group (HOG) have no specific membership requirements other than owning a bike of the designated make.

Of course, the style of custom patches most commonly referred to as "biker patches" is the traditional three-piece patch worn by motorcycle club members on the back of a jacket or vest. These patches represent so-called outlaw motorcycle clubs not officially sanction by the American Motorcyclist Association.

Three-piece biker patches traditionally feature a large center piece with a club-specific design, flanked by rockers above and below the center piece. The top rocker usually indicates the name of the club, while the bottom one shows the club's home city or state.

It's not easy to wear three-piece biker patches. They're usually won only after a club apprenticeship and initiation process that can take years. Only "full patch" members, those who have demonstrated their value and loyalty to the club, are entitled to wear the three-piece biker patches.

Less common are two-piece biker patches. These are commonly worn by clubs that are affiliated with an outlaw club and are in transition to becoming a club that wears its own three-piece biker patches.

Just like motorcycles themselves, the embroidery equipment that produce custom biker patches has developed over the years into high-speed, high-performance machines. Computer controlled embroidery machines can create biker patches of almost any style quickly and accurately, reproducing virtually any design uniformly.

Contemporary biker patches can convey any message a rider chooses. From faith to faithlessness, policy to politics, humor to hubris, if it can be read, it can be turned into patches. Classic patches are timeless, and creative bikers are creating new ones every day. The expressive possibilities of biker patches are like the open road – limitless.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/social-marketing-articles/biker-patches-can-express-many-points-of-view-4068385.html
About the Author
Patches4Less is an industry leader in the design and production of biker patches. The company produces custom patches in a variety of sizes, colors and styles to suit any occasion.