“The weather outside is frightful,” begins the winter classic song that urges the skies to let it snow. But snow and the bitter cold weather that comes this time of year in the northern states leaves the average biker with a dismal feeling. For most, it equates to the winter ritual of properly preparing their bike for at least three months of hibernation while the biker waits with much anxiety for spring to break.

So what’s a biker to do over the winter? Invite the homies over for egg nog while wiggling and warming their toes by the fire? Whip out the Scrabble board to partake in a game or two while loading up on hot chocolate with marshmallows? Or do they sit and stare at their garaged bike, hoping, wishing, and waiting? I pondered the thought and decided to throw out the question to find out just exactly what the two-wheeled road warriors and bike clubs do over the bitter cold winter months.

Now, of course, I must mention our southern counterparts of whom we must remind ourselves not to harbor the same disdain for their riding fortune as one would have for a slender woman polishing off a double fudge, whip cream brownie sundae with a side of bacon while complaining that she can never gain weight. “We never 'winterize' our bikes cause we ride all the time,” said 2Tuff, President of the Ebony Angels. While I turn up the heat to ward off the 20-degree hawk just outside my window, she proceeds report that, “It's 6:38 pm here in Raleigh, NC. I literally just got off my R1 and came in to check my email. I've been riding since about 2:30 PM when I got off work. It's a lovely 70+ degrees here and the weather is great for riding.”

Oh, joy. I mean, really, 2Tuff, we Midwesterners and Northerners are so…happy for you. I mean…uh, yeah, happy. Sigh.

Now let’s see what the Midwest and Northerners are up to this winter.


“My club members and I are planning to attend the PRO Convention in New Jersey,” says Nino Brown, P.R.O. for the Made Men MC (New Jersey/New York). “We are also sponsors of this year’s convention.” Now in it’s fifth year, the PRO Convention has quickly become the “must attend” motorcycle event of the winter. The convention originated as networking tool for Public Relations Officers to assist them in becoming more effective in their bike club positions. The idea was for the attendees to take the information back to their respective clubs and utilize it to aid in building a stronger and more positive nationwide motorcycle community. There’s also information for all riders and aspiring riders on safe riding, riding gear, motorcycle maintenance and more. With its first year attendance of 117 in 2004, the PRO Convention registration has exploded to over 1200 people and more than 375 bike clubs nationwide in 2008.

Many clubs like the Double Lyte Posse Sportbike Club in Philadelphia use the winter months to step up their community service activities. “Our last ride for the season is usually the ABATE Toy Run in Philly,” said Double Lyte Posse member, Lady Kim. In November, 2007, they were the first club to receive a citation from the City Council of Philadelphia, honoring them for their community involvement. This year, in addition to their community efforts, they are also planning a winter ski trip.