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Dodging the Roadkill: Brotherhood

Dodging the Roadkill - A Biker's JourneyClarksville, TN – I remember the day I bought my first Harley.  I took my baby for a ride and when the first approaching biker flashed the two finger salute, I knew I had entered the brotherhood. I was SO excited to acknowledge him back.  It was at that moment that I knew I was in for something special.

I was more excited about the culture I was about to enter than I was about the 900 pound beast I had wrapped my legs around.  I desperately wanted to know more about the biker culture.  The people, the places, the bond.  After three years and over 95,000 miles, I can honestly say I have been BLOWN AWAY by this experience.

Biker Brotherhood
Biker Brotherhood

Brotherhood is described in various ways.  Motorcycle Clubs are brothers and hold dear their protocol for membership.  Riding clubs have no initiation, but their members sponsor group rides, and other events, centered around the motorcycles.  The “one percenters” look at brotherhood in a totally different light, but at the end of the day, we’re all connected by a motorcycle and our love for it. 

I was out for cool morning ride this past Sunday and when I stopped in Ashland City, TN,  I fell in behind a group traveling from Bowling Green Kentucky.  We road several miles together, then split up in Charlotte Tennessee.  As we came to a stop light, I asked where they were from and where they were going. 

Seems they were headed to the Banana Pudding Festival in Centerville.  I was headed in the opposite direction to get home for a family event.  They were so nice, and invited me to tag along, but I wasn’t able.

The point being, EVERYBODY’S welcome!  We’re bikers.  We like to ride.  We like to ride with other bikers, but for me, I get the biggest kick out of meeting new people, while on my bike, sharing something that we all have in common, and that’s the love of the ride.

The people, the culture, the experience.  It’s amazing and we all know it.  So when we meet, we have all that going for us that brings us together, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

I’ve written about brotherhood and the bond that ties us before, but it never gets old.  It never loses its appeal.  We’re all in this together, whether we’re on two wheels or three.  We’re bikers.  Some of us old school, some of us not.  

In a country that’s so divided, it’s refreshing to know that this biker brotherhood is not bound by politics or religion, the color of your skin or your sex.  We’re bikers.  I’m a biker.  And we have a bond that’s understood.

It’s an amazing thing.  Thank you for being my brother/sister.  

Hank Bonecutter
Hank Bonecutterhttp://www.clarksvillesmotorcycle.com/
Hank Bonecutter is a retired broadcaster and media consultant based in Clarksville, Tennessee. His career includes stints at WKDA/WKDF and WKQB Rock 106FM, WLAC-AM in Nashville. He concluded his career as owner/talk show host at WJZM-AM in Clarksville. Currently the President of Bonehead Promotions, he's an advertising consultant and media strategist. An avid motorcyclist, Hank blogs about his travels exclusively at www.clarksvillemotorcycle.com and www.clarksvilleonline.com You can follow Hank on on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dodgintheroadkill/, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/?lang=en, and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dodgetheroadkill/?hl=en  
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