Clarksville, Tn — Last week, in my hometown of all places, Federal Agents swept into town and arrested members of a notorious motorcycle gang on charges of murder, kidnapping and drug dealing.  Federal racketeering charges are also pending.  You can read about it here. 

I have to be honest, I had NO IDEA that they were even here, which is REAL naive of me, but I ride all over this area and I have NEVER seen them.  There are other “clubs” in the area, but I just don’t pay attention to them and really don’t have much of a clue as to why I should care.   

The recent arrests of members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club was the result of a year-long investigation that involved federal investigators, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Clarksville Police and Montgomery County Sheriff’s investigators.  U.S Attorney Don Cochran said “there will be more to come.”

Now, I don’t want to spend this column discussing this event, but want to talk about why I had NO CLUE about any of these clubs.  Why haven’t I seen any of them.  Is that by design?  

I have NEVER seen a member of the Mongols around here.  You would think with as much riding as I do, all over this area, I would have run into some of them somewhere.  A gas station, convenience store, somewhere. 

Apparently there are others here, like Rebels Club, Subdued Few, and Outlaws MC and I had to google that.   Should I care?

Last year, during my first year as a biker, I was attending a meeting of my local H.O.G Chapter when the discussion of “colors” and “patches” came up.  I was asking about some patches, when another member of the group asked me if I understood colors.

I didn’t.

He sent me a PDF about motorcycle clubs, gangs, groups, or whatever you want to call them  He suggested I get an understanding of them, since I did so much traveling.

What?  Really?

I have seen the colors of some military groups and riders, so it’s not like I haven’t seen any other groups, but I just want to ride like anyone else.  I don’t want to have to worry about any of that. 

Apparently it’s not a two way street.

What surprised me about the recent arrests was, I have NEVER seen any members of the Mongols or any of the other aforementioned groups as I ride all around this area.  I’ve NEVER seen their “colors” anywhere.  Not that I care, because they’re entitled to the road just like me.  They’re entitled to fill up with gas like me.  I’ve just never seen any of them. 

Apparently that’s what they’re good at.  Apparently that’s what they want.

I read a blog recently where the writer complained about how much the “Feds” are trying to give all bikers a bad name because of such clubs and that these “groups” should find a way to stay off of the radar.  He was almost defending them and blaming the “Feds.”

If you break the law, you go to jail.  I don’t care if you’re in a biker group or work at a convenience store.

Anyway, I’ve been researching some of these groups and how to deal with any encounters I may have.  I don’t want to fear being on the road, alone, traveling the country, but I’m not going to stop what I’m doing.

If you would like to help me better understand this part of our culture, feel free to contact me here.  You can also connect with me at my Facebook page, Dodging the Roadkill.