Lisa P
Lisa's Editorial
Some nuts are tough to crack. My friend Wizard is one of those nuts. I met Wizard online about a year ago, when I was starting to do some research on outlaw bikers and clubs. It was “love his hair at first sight” for me…his long dark mane caught my eye – who can resist a man with long hair, that’s what I say (even though I’m married to a wonderful bald one). Wizard had a mysterious look to him, at least to me, a mix of Gothic and rebel I think, and being 6’4” just completes the tall, dark and handsome look.
Wizard tells me he is 75% Romanian and 25% Cherokee – an interesting mix of a mother born in Transylvania and a father born in South Carolina. The man has been married three times (God bless him), and although he now lives in Virginia, he lived in six countries before he was 12 – Germany, Spain, England, France, Mexico, and the U.S. Altogether, Wizard has lived in 27 of the 50 states (father was in Air Force).
For a long time, I felt Wizard was pushing me away and I called him on that. He claimed he wasn’t trying to push me away but if I thought about it, I would realize that deep down in my heart I think he’s an asshole or at least very irritating. I denied this assumption, and told him that the truth is I was totally fascinated (and with that knowledge, he boasted that he can kiss a woman till she’s weak-kneed…hmmm).
Wizard had a story to tell and I took the bait. Lucky for me, he was willing to share his experience with outlaw clubs, particularly an incident close to his heart which resulted in the death of his unborn child. Wizard started riding bikes at 14, has owned 23 bikes (so far), and his current ride is a Heritage Softail custom. Earning what I call his “biker wings,” Wizard has also lived through a few wrecks and a fractured skull. Wizard was about 40 years old when he first prospected for a club, having spent about 10 years altogether in three different clubs.* Without revealing every detail, he had some disagreements with certain members of one club and he chose to leave the club on his own. Wizard is very bitter about this and understandably so. I’m sure his greatest regret is losing the baby his girlfriend was carrying at the time so he could not continue his alliance with the club without suffering that memory. He will not disclose the nature of the disagreement, however, because, as he confirmed, "club biz is club biz" . Ironically, the same reason that drew Wizard toward the club was the same reason that drove him out: Brotherhood.
Over the years since outlaw clubs have been in existence, the original intent of club membership has either been totally lost or ignored by some clubs. Wizard was disappointed by the division he witnessed among club members – not with members of other clubs, but among members within his own club. Seems a lot of contemporary club members have adopted a gang mentality instead of the brotherhood mentality which was traditionally intended. (this is not to say, however, that a club member should sit back and take a beating from every corner) but the attitude should be closer to: “Mind your own business and I’ll mind mine” instead of “Come and mess with me so I can show you who’s bad.” We are not in high school anymore Toto. Gang mentality vs. brotherhood mentality is what ultimately drove Wiz out of the lifestyle. He is not in touch with any former club brothers. Wizard does not regret his history with outlaw clubs, and is not looking to join another club, but if offered the chance to probate for a club that reflected what he considers the original, true brotherhood, he would welcome the opportunity.
It was important to Wiz that I understand a little about outlaw clubs. First, the largest outlaw clubs in the country are known as the “Big 4.” Everyone who rides probably knows at least one or two of them. Please note that the original meaning of the term “outlaw” meant the absence of an AMA charter, and this still holds in clubs that do not define themselves as one percenters. Smaller clubs develop and can be just as powerful, depending on their membership. I like to equate it to the Big 4 being the Universities and the smaller clubs being the Colleges. Although the rules may vary slightly among clubs, the usual process for initiation into a motorcycle club is to be asked to probate for the club – which means you become a prospect for a period of time. Club brothers determine when you are ready to move on to the next step which can be different from club to club, but ultimately full patch. That is where you are considered a full brother. Clubs, according to Wiz, are by their nature very protective about what goes on “inside.” “Outlaw life is not just about clubs,” says Wizard, “it’s an attitude that is totally different from the attitude of the ‘average’ rider. You can be an outlaw without being part of a club, and you can be a 1%’er without being a club member.” One-percenter is defined here as a “serious biker who rides every day.” These bikers work, have families, and have a reputation for riding hard and partying hard. The one percent patch is not meant to imply criminal or outlaw. It implies dedication to their brotherhood and to riding. One-percenters are not all criminals, many have families, a real job, a mortgage, etc., however, the 1%er considers his brothers above all others. Although not out to purposely hurt anyone, an outlaw does not follow society’s rules. Outlaw bikers live free and have to feel free, and cannot live a 9:00-5:00 daily schedule. Respect is extremely important. Outlaw bikers expect respect and will respect you in return – but only if they feel you’ve earned it. His bike is not only something to ride and show off, it is a part of him, of his soul, and is the force that drives him to ride at every opportunity. The outlaw biker cannot be without that part of his soul. I believe this lifestyle can only be described by someone who has lived it.
Making the commitment to a club includes your agreement to consider the club before any other pursuits. Outlaws live by a code that demands they care for themselves and their brothers which is the reason these bikers are so protective of their own club members. Most of the riders on the road today do not share that need and do not understand that feeling. The club becomes your first family. The club will respect your family and may even love them as part of the club family, however, only club brothers are afforded the trust of the other members. Sadly, Wizard’s outlaw lifestyle probably caused or contributed to a few of his broken relationships with women. Women who are involved with club members understand the lifestyle and accept it, but it is not for everyone.
Talking to Wizard, I sense this man is to some extent a true desperado – his attitude is very “old-school” (I hate to use that overstated term but I can’t think of any other way to say it) – the moment I knew that was when we were discussing the brotherhood vs. gang mentality. His passion for the old days, the search for true brotherhood, and the pain he feels not being able to find or feel that any longer, came through loud and clear to me. Wizard is no angel, has a quiet intensity to him that can overshadow his deep, dark, sometimes dirty but at the same time irresistible, personality. I love that he is wise enough to realize that certain aspects of outlaw clubs can be out of control, but that there is still honor among the few who believe in the true spirit of brotherhood and unity. Wizard may never again discover that spirit he is seeking, but he certainly understands what it is and has not given up the search. That is an admirable quest in anyone’s life.
*Although Wizard wanted to name his club history, we decided to leave club names out. If anyone is interested, Wizard can be reached at wizardva@hotmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
