THE HARLEY EXPERIENCE

by Renee Piane

In the singles world I always tell people to expand their minds and go on adventures. This past weekend I took my own advice and had an adventure that is beyond description. It was a whole other world and the passion the group has for this lifestyle and hobby is unreal.

What was this wild adventure you ask?? I was invited to go to the once a year event in called The Palm Springs Annual Harley Davidson Motor Cycle Ride with some girlfriends of mine.

Now these girls are Harley owners and ride a few times a year to Laughlin, Vegas, Reno, Sturgis, San Diego and other locations where Harley riders from all over the west gather to party down and ride for different causes.

When I asked they girls how and why they got involved they said that they felt "powerful and a strong sense of independence from riding solo."

The women are very sexy and dress to turn heads. Some could be a little hard around the edges and like any group there is a variety of spices and all ages groups.

The men are decorated with tattoos, headbands, chains, lots of leather and black attire. Many wear the vests with symbols of their group and are big muscular macho men! There is so much testosterone in one area you could launch a spaceship!

The thrill of the "machinery between your legs" the "freedom of expression" and taking a break from normal life is why some of the men are in these groups. When you're around these groups it can be a bit frightening by the looks some of these guys, but overall everyone was open and lots of fun!

I was interviewing many of the participants and this is there "Walk on the Wild Side!"
There were people from all walks of life. I met doctors, plumbers, firefighters, and Real Estate investors, to people in the movie and music industry.

Whether you're a policeman, painter or dentist, when you own a Harley you're in the family. They have special handshakes and a strong fellowship. The pride and energy that these people have in their "ride" is a sight to behold and the riders watch out for each other.

The hotels were lined with some "hot hogs" with leather, studs, wild paint jobs with leopard prints mermaids, SS symbols, skulls… you name it.

The festival (held on the strip in the center of town) was lined with tables filled with all the accessories such as: skull caps, leather chaps, fringed accessories, boots, gloves and Harley G-Strings, T-shirts and Harley everything!

There is the Love Ride coming up in November if you wanted to participate call any Harley dealership to find out details. These people get a bad wrap most of the time and it is a shame.

Riding a Harley is exciting that I'm glad I experienced it and to have a chance to meet people that live a life of adventure…why not go for a ride on the wild side!

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© Copyright 2001 by Renee Piane. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, as long as copyright, contact, and creation information is given, and only if used in a not-for-profit format. If possible, I would also appreciate an endorsement. If any other use is desired, written permission is required. Thank you,Renee Piane.

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