never follow...

start your own club, tell them to ride up to you if they want in

 

Man, if your wondering what you should do and have to ask opinions, the answer is definitely no.

 

Ok, what? No.

 

8.5 hours? Marissa Miller better be at their clubhouse weekly passing out free blowies

 

Don't do it bro... clubs are for seals and single moms.

 

That made me snicker... Sounds like you're more concerned with the "image" than riding.

 

I was patched into a club in September after spending the year hanging around and prospecting. It's a great family oriented AMA club with a long history and it's great for me. All my previous riding buddies started families and gave up riding and there were times on a great riding day when I just couldn't drag myself to go through the routine of getting to the bike, dragging it out of the garage and negotiating Manhattan traffic to get out of the city to ride. But now with the club there's usually a ride every weekend, some are overnight trips of 2 to 7 days. But it's a club that's concerned with riding and having a good time. Over the year these guys have become close friends it's always a great time. It takes me almost two hours from the time I leave my apartment to get out to the club, (though without traffic or construction it's a 50 minute ride) and totally worth it to me.
Prospecting you're expected to be at most all club rides and meetings so the distance and schedule could wear on you. I'd suggest if you're interested in club lifestyle that you research clubs closer to you and give them a hang around try to see if you're a good match. 8.5 hours is a big commute for a 2 or 3 hour meeting.

 

If you do form your own club, make sure you come up with a cool patch, so people will want to join when they see you riding around by yourself. You need to make sure it is a 3 piece patch, with a top and bottom rocker, and a cool middle patch. Make sure the bottom rocker has your territory on it.

 

that describes 100% of those who join clubs and wear patches