With the 2012 season in full swing there are plenty of new motorcycle riders planning to attend their first biker rally. If you're one of them you will undoubtedly see all kinds of bikers. You'll have the weekend warriors on their speed bikes, the over-the-road cruisers with their luxury bikes, and the typical motorcycle club members complete with their Harleys, bandannas, and plenty of tattoos. Let me just warn you, if you're new to the biker community make sure you pay attention to back patches.
Back patches are those large 10"- 12" patches you see bikers wearing on the backs of their leather vests or jackets. If you see a large back patch along with rockers above and below and a "mc" patch on one side, you're dealing with an organized motorcycle club and its official "colors." Be careful not to offend one of those club members in regards to their colors, because they hold them very dear. Their colors are not mere stock patches anyone can find at their local patch retailer. They must be earned through loyalty and service to the club.
If you see someone with a back patch that looks like a wolf, that biker is probably what's known as a "lone wolf." This kind of biker doesn't belong to any specific club and, in fact, relishes the freedom it provides. The lone wolf comes and goes as he pleases without having to answer to other members of a club.
Finally, you might see clubs like the Blue Knights who have a designated club patches. Their back patches are also not the same thing as stock patches, but you can typically earn one simply by filling out a member application and paying a membership fee. Clubs like the Blue Nights are more fraternal organizations than traditional biker clubs.
