Have you noticed how unwittingly a dashing biker is attracted to you? And not only because of the noise-crack - too clearly and risky it breaks out of the smooth autoflow. Who are these crazy people in the city?
Bikers are not just citizens who use a vehicle with the highest efficiency in terms of "speed - latency - cost" ratio. They are united by adventure, speed, absence of age and social prejudices, boldness and rebellion. These are those who spend all their leisure time behind the bulkheads of the ribs of their iron horse, trying to create an extra "horse" out of them. With the help of wheeled riding he is able to create a performance of delight and freedom and become a member of the most dynamic communities - motoslettes, bike festivals or "flying long-range".
Sub-culture of different hemispheres
The bikers came to us from the other side of the globe in a slightly shabby form and with not quite a virtuous reputation. But it wasn't just the "azaric" leather, strong beer spirit and thick hairiness, the smell of a hot engine, and night-time hooliganism that distinguished them. All this on Russian soil has found a peculiarity of the past.
"I would hardly have provided such a welcome in London," admitted Evan McGregor, astonished by the degree of hospitality at the Russian stage of his round-the-world motor travel. In any city he was offered to stay, repair, have a snack and excursion - not because of the foreigner, but because of his own. By the way, being a biker in the U.S. is a rare pleasure, that is not cheap. We have the same "motorcycles" acquire from adolescence, collecting on an old frame details of the decommissioned IJ or the Urals and breathing life into the engine - as did our grandfathers and fathers. In America, a biker in case of breakage simply gives the equipment to a car service center, pays for rehabilitation and is ready to saddle the ready-made again. Nowhere have I seen such a love for motorcycles as in Russian guys, who can talk for hours about replacing candles, cleaning feathers in a fork or the merits of new stars. Abroad such speeches are also in progress, but basically they are conducted in a bar, more and more about discounts, and if that and to invent itself not simply so, and that has brought the profit. If the Russian is going to be in the "far distance", he will mainly think about how to prepare a motorcycle, how many breakdowns await him and what is the most difficult route to choose. A foreign biker will be puzzled first of all by where to find a sponsor, how to prove that the PR-effect will really take place, and how many cars to take to accompany him.
The rallies
In the West, bike sub-culture is rooted long ago, there are a lot of competitions, shows and rallies worldwide, there are various motorized programs on television. Such international competitions as "Unimoto" have already reached our country - it is a speed ride on one wheel, in Florida or Switzerland it is very popular, participants and spectators almost from all over the world come to visit. For example, the Elefantentreffen motorcycle in Germany this winter has collected a lot of not pink "elephants" from different countries, including Russia.
Harley Davidson fans have been organizing annual bike shows on the "black hills" of American Dedwood (South Dakota) for 50 years. Fans of this brand, which has become a movement, can be recognized by tattooing.
Several dozen tattoo parlors have been marking the shoulders of neophytes with the profile of an eagle and an opera red skin. A tattoo is not a brand-styling, nor an empty amusement, but a kind of amulet. The dragon is especially popular as a symbol of life and a protector from accidents and catastrophes. Gloomy aerography on motorcycles in the form of a skull is also widespread. If death appears, it will go away when you see your image - there is such a belief.
On a national scale, the traditional moto manifestation is the opening and closing of the moto season. In large cities this sometimes turns into incredible shows. In St. Petersburg, for example, on May 1, bikers are moved into the city by a large neoproletarian column, motorcycles and motor groups merge into it on their way, and by the time they leave for the closed Nevsky procession they turn into a grandiose holiday accompanied by music, performance of motor tricks and rock bands. All this serves not only to increase the tone of life, but also to unite bikers. The material part is usually aimed at raising funds for various charitable purposes.
to be continued in the next part...
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