Thoughts on Joining a Bike Club
Despite riding bikes for over 30 years, I’d never joined a club until I became part of the Suzuki Owners Club (SOC). In my teens, I rode with friends, half a dozen of us hitting the road together. Later, I joined the University bike club in Birmingham. But since then, I’ve been more of a lone rider as most of my friends eventually switched to cars.
Over time, my annual mileage took a hit as well. My girlfriend lost interest in riding pillion, and we’d often opt for the comfort of a car on camping trips and outings. Riding alone felt less purposeful, so I decided to join the North East chapter of SOC, hoping it wouldn’t be too “Suzuki or nothing.”
Now, I’ve always hesitated about clubs because of certain stereotypes—types I’ve gone out of my way to avoid:
The Rossi Wannabe: His bike, even if the same model, is somehow 20 mph faster. He never misses a chance to tell you how he "left R1s in the dust" during his last TT trip.
The Ultra-Sensible Rider: Forever in his dayglo IAM vest, he’ll give you a disapproving look at the mention of anything beyond the speed limit. His blinker is always on, as if by default.
The Chronic Complainer: Firmly convinced that motorcyclists are the best drivers, while all car drivers are hazards waiting to happen. To him, every bike accident is the fault of a car.
To my relief, the SOC has none of this. Instead, it’s a friendly, welcoming group who genuinely enjoy bikes (not just Suzukis!) and the freedom of the road. We’re not all the same, which is probably why it works so well.
If you’re considering joining a club or want to add more purpose to your biking, I say go for it. You’ll gain new friends, new destinations, and a new enthusiasm for riding.
Thanks to everyone at SOC for the warm welcome. Looking forward to more rides and good times together.
Cheers, Bob.
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