On Geoff Barton’s February 18 ride we were on the outskirts of Pakenham when a black Harley passed us heading in the opposite direction. Nothing unusual in that except the female pillion was giving us a strong-action stiff middle-finger salute. She looked the part too–mirror shades under scratched flat open face. What had we done? Well I expect that to her we appeared as a bunch of racer-look-alikes and so justified her response.

This incident got me thinking of the times on rides I have occasioned "Bros"

Now let’s clarify things right now–Bros ride Harleys and sometimes wear club patches. Other Harley-riding types like accountants, estate agents and hairdressers out on a HOG ride are not Bros.

Let’s see. The time riding back from Philip Island and I stopped to push start a stranded Bro (even wearing a H.A. patch)–yes, he did say thanks. Or when a few of us stayed overnight in Drouin’s Commercial Hotel and the local chapter of the Coffin Cheaters insisted we store the bikes in their lockup with their truck-trailer and "supplies".

A classic was catching up and mixing in with a column of Harlies and with one of their female pillions smiling and waving at us. Very uncool and un-Bro–expect that violent abuse and thrown out of the chapter was her fate.

Recently riding out of a Hallam service station it was eye-to-eye contact with a real Bro, no HOG member here as the "rough" HD bike and helmet and full length Drizabone coat would attest. He nodded first!–could be my black Yamaha is an acceptable image? No, don’t think so either.

Guess my point is that if you ride year on year you will occasion riders from all the spectrums of motorcycling.

Stay tuned for my next article titled: "Long Distance Vespa Riders I have Met".

Jack Youdan