This summer I travelled to the north of Norway on my motorbike
and broke down just inside the Arctic Circle. The only bike workshop I could find within 200 miles was f**king useless and didn't seem to want to have the time of day for me. I don't know if it was because I was forrin, or what.

But a customer at the shop happened to be a member of the Bodo Motorcycling Club, and took me to their clubhouse, let me use their workshop, and gave up his afternoon to help me.

Bikers rock.

They even trusted me to spend the night in their clubhouse. An incredibly nice bunch.

In return, I helped a Swedish biker in distress on the way back. He was a proper hairy club biker with a knackered old Harley, who didn't speak a word of English. Through mime we established that he was out of petrol, so I syphoned half my tank to his. He was incredibly grateful, especially as I refused payment; the way I see it, if all bikers help each other, we're all square.

Now, if only everyone would stick to those principles without a common catalyst, like owning a motorbike, or being from the same country, or knowing the same secret handshake... the world would be a much nicer, fluffier place.
( Peregr1n @peregr1n, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 20:46, 5 replies)

Bikers are nice aren't they
My bike broke down 20 miles from home, and I broke my toe kicking it. After hobbling about five miles and being passed by hundreds of cars an old van pulls up beside me. Driver and his mate were bikers and immediately helped me load my bike in the back and drove me home. So, yes, it would be nice if everyone else was like that.
(Tyrion, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 20:51, closed)

I heartily endorse the sentiments in this post
And I'm not a biker...


...although apparently I look like one =)
(Professor Kenny Martin Hmm? What?, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 21:05, closed)

Totally agree!
Every time my motorbike has broken down or got a flat tyre, another biker has *always* stopped to see if they could help! I love it - so friendly - it's definitely a club!
(sodbiscuit sodbiscuit, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 12:27, closed)

That's rather cool.
This summer I also rode to the Arctic Circle on a bike, stopped off at the Arctic Circle Raceway and met a few guys. They told us about a rally in Bodo, which we duly decided to press on up to.

When we got there, the guy had rung his friends in the club who arranged for us to stay for half price, sorted camping areas out for us and brought us all beers while we struggled to put our tents up.

Lovely guys all.
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 14:45, closed)

You have to love bikers
Real bikers, those who ride because they love it, will often share a happy word, offer a helping hand or laugh at you as you fail to pull away once again with your Learner plate flapping in the rain. I love bikers so much I am dating one and am going to marry the woman one day.
( Rev. Jayneflakes Buy my book, I need the cash for drugs and hookers, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 18:26, closed)