Been out riding here and there with the man… nothing too terribly exciting – just cruising around town and such. No, I’m still not riding on my own, but hopefully soon 
Some where along the way, my wonderful man was introduced to a motorcycle club – a “traditional” motorcycle club. For those of you not familar with this term, a “traditional” motorcycle club is one that follows the traditions of the motorcycle clubs started after WWII (think 1940s/1950s here). The clubs consisted of men mostly coming out of the armed forces, riding together, and forming a “brotherhood” mostly likely to maintain the clicques together they formed out of the bond of fighting for our liberties and protection. These clubs specfically excluded women – much like the military did during the era from which they began forming. In fact, women are seen as “property of” patched members.
Anyone see where this is going yet?
Being a modern woman born after women’s suffrage, after the women’s lib movement, I have been afforded the opportunity to live life as an equal (or has it all been a put-on!). It seems absolutely insane to exclude women simple because they are women. In fact, it borders on infuriating!
Now, also believing a that a loving intimate, relationship should afford the sanction of non-judgemental acceptance and be completely supportive of one another, I have clearly (or at least I think I’ve been clear) conveyed my deep-seated disapproval of such establishments upfront with Justin, but I also would not ever want to stand in the way of his happiness and his goals. I left the ball in his court. The decision fully his – a decision I would hope would be equally reciprocated with such consideration as afforded him.
See where this is going now?
Justin recently obtained “hang around” status from a local chapter of an international “traditional” motorcycle club who claims thier priorities to be family, work, club – in that order. While I will not name the club specifically here out of respect to the members and supporters, I will say this organzation is large (from what I can gather from thier website and other information I have learned about them on google – yes, I google!).
For the women of the men in this organization there is what they call a “support group”. I nearly laughed out loud when I heard this. It immediately made me think of other famous “support groups” like AA and such. I could just see it now, a bunch of women, hanging around with each other so thier husbands/signifcant others could socialize without them, without including them in any decision making, and sorta as a consolation prize. Kinda like a mental support group for those willing to abide by this antiquated notion of excluding women. (With this said, I have met and like all of the ones I’ve met who are in the women’s support group. Fantastic women in fact – except for thier complete acceptance of these roles.)
I do not understand the appeal of being a member or a supporter of a club with such antiquated ideaology.
Let’s review the history….
The women’s suffrage movement began in the 1800s…
Women were afforded the right to vote by the United States Goverment in 1920.
Women were offically allowed to serve our great nation in the armed forces in 1948 – active combat roles emerging in the 70s.
Women’s liberation movement was born in the 1960s evolving through the 70s and 80s.
The history of women riding motorcycles begins nearly with the inception of the device. While there are few mentions of women and motorcycles in history, there were women riding them – “bikers” in thier own right – some even drove thier families in sidecars – some made cross country trips – some were even *gasp* actresses!
Pioneering women include: Mrs. H. G. Smith, Clara Inge, Margaret Gast, Mrs. C. B. Clark, Mrs. John Lang, Ruth McCord, Dot Robinson the “First Lady of Motorcycling”, and many, many others.
Ok, ok… I’ll step off the soap box – for now.
Where is this all going? I have no idea. Definitely not what I had in mind for our adventures in motorcycling. Maybe this is our path diverging. He has made his choice. Ultimately, it saddens me mostly because I know I will never be happy in the role defined by the club for women, and it is truly a sad day when your signifcant other chooses a path in the complete opposite direction of where you were going together.
Let’s end with one of my favorite quotes:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost
