First, a little "back story". I was out on the Road King with my wife yesterday, and ran accross a bunch of guys on sport bikes at a gas station. I recognized them as a local riding club that I had run into at another gas station a month or so before, while in my 911, on my way to a PCA drive. The first time, they were all very interested in my car, and we had a nice chat about it, sport bikes, yadda yadda yadda.
Yesterday, I recognized several of them, so I said "hi", introducing myself as the Porsche guy from last month. We had another great chat; friendly guys, one and all. So, they asked me if I would like to unlimber the Ducati and go on a ride with them, and gave me a card.
I have to say, though, the patches put me off a bit. Yes, they were wearing patches - including one that said "prospect". They just didn't seem like "that kind" of riders, so I wondered if they really knew what those patches meant. Thirty years ago, I was dangerously close to some folks in those circles - "patch holders" - and had the good sense to walk away.
Anyway, I went home and found their website. With it, I found a link to this, a guide to the world of the outlaw biker, the "1%-er". So, yes, these sportbikers know good and well what their patches mean in this world. I don't think I'll be riding with them...
So, for your education (and entertainment...), I offer a link to this "1%-er 101" website. There is a lot of information here, and while written in a very sympathetic tone towards these guys, I found it to be fairly accurate from my recollections, at least. Granted, this is their perspective, and as such leaves out most of the bad. But, it does provide insight into a very bizzare (and, unfortunately, growing) little dysfunctional subculture. Anyway, here it is:
http://www.rcvsmc.net/index.html