East Texas Biker: August 2025

Our Back Patch is at the core of our Organization. It represents us to the world. And it's represented to the world on our Cuts. How that gets displayed and handled ... is an interesting one. Opinions are all over the spectrum on this. Multiple forum discussions on it. Comes up often at Chapter Levels. And there are SOPs that even touch on the subject at various levels. But, as always .. I've got an opinion.

Minimalist or All in? Me personally, I'm somewhere in between. My current Cut has been with me since 2017 when I was preparing to patch in with the CVMA. It's a high quality heavier leather vest I got out at the Motorcycle Outpost in Westminster. I've seen a few since that are much lighter. Some are different materials so they can 'breath' and are cooler in our hot summer months. Either way, this is my Cut and ... it shows the wear and tear of riding tens of thousands of miles. In the heat, I sweat like a pig and my vest is proof with all the 'salt' it soaks up giving it a really weathered look. I wipe it down often to 'clean' the salt off it, but it needs a lil more love. I've got some Doc Baileys to clean it up and dye it a lil; thats my next project ... maybe give it some life ... revive it a lil.

But that's not the point of this post. Minimailist or All in? What belongs on the Cut? In your face or Low key with blacked out patches?

A big subject that always comes up is ... a setup where the entire chapter has a template of sorts to wear it the same way. Hell, the entire Association the same way. you know, Chapter patch in this spot, RoadName in that spot, US Flag top left, etc, etc, etc Again, this ain't going to fly no matter what mine or other's opinions are on the subject. One read through the forum on this subject and it's eveident why. We are not an MC; we are an association. And if anyone thinks they get get that By Law Change in place .. well .. go for it. What about the thousands that would be grandfathered in? What do you do about the few that would flip the bird and say fuck no? Is the Chapter going to pay to put them on or change them up?

Me personally, I believe we should have a set standard on the layout. If nothing else, a guideline of sorts for new members when they start to lay out the basic patch(es) arrangments. I've started to put one together, then get side tracked. I've got a second cut I'm working on for special events, etc (pristine and minamilist) but always seem to get side tracked. Mostly blacked out patches except for the Back Patch. Before I get everything sewn on though, I'm going to create the template to work off and nudge it towards newbies as an example when questions get asked.

But the fact of the matter is .. there is no set template/layout. IMHO, there will never be. But, can't hurt to try? I've seen a few chapters out that have a pretty 'clean' layout. Hopefully .... our Chapter can get there eventually

Whew .. I'm beat!

Rolled out Friday morning with Chief and Kat around 0900. We'd planned to head out earlier to beat the heat and rain .... but... weather forecast changed and so did we along with it. Lucy was supposed to roll with us but the storm from the previous days caused her RA to flare up and she pulled the plug. Long weekend for her dealing with this shit .... Well, we took the 'long way' heading up to Paris to grab 195 over to Oklahoma then 37 onto 70 for the rest of the way. Lots of beautiful 2 lane riding along the way and we took our time since check in at the hotel was 1600 hrs. Purred along at about 5 over, stopping several times to stretch the legs and stay hydrated. Temps stayed nice and the skies blue for our trip. Did have a few closer calls with upwards of a half dozen different situations with idiots in cages pulling out in front of me ... grabbed the brakes a few times, but not skidding. Hell, Chief jokingly asked me if my headlight worked! Survived it all and rolled up around 3 and got checked in early. So quick clean up, change to some fresh clothing and headed downstairs for a cold one. I walked up to the door at 1558 hrs and smiled as they opened it up for me. On my second one, I find myself getting molested from behind and turn around to find my close Friend Donnie laughing his ass of. WTF? I intentionally didn't tell him I was coming so I could surprise him Saturday morning and make some afternoon plans... but .. he's standing there smirking. He saw the bikes outside and spotted mine.... asked him how the hell he recognized it ... his reply? "The only one that wasn't clean .." Hey now! But .. it's true. I ride it .... not sit around and polish it! Hahaha.. Anyhows, we had a sip or two, he and Jill headed out for dinner and we would catch up with each other Saturday. Soon, Chief and Kat are down and Donnie and Jill offer to drop us off at the meet n' greet at the VFW... score! The VFW is hopping, bikes are rolling in and it's packed inside! The Local CVMA Chapter has a great buffett of BBQ inside, bar is pouring cold ones and ... just a great time. I run into one of our previous members (Foster) who had xfer'ed many moons ago to this chapter and catch up outside smoking stogies. After awhile, I notice the hotel van is loading up with some folks and Chief is waving me over. Screw it .. jump in and we're headed back to the Hotel for some tunes and cold ones at the bar. Ocho is in the house as well and we run into each other multiple times over this trip. They've got a really good Blues band playing so works out well. And throughout the evening lot of civilians buying our rounds ... not too shabby

Saturday morning and headed down for breakfast. The Hotel Hot Springs has buffett breakfast not too bad and we've got vendors rolling in on the 2nd floor for the meeting. By 1000hrs we're swiping in (final one needed for my Tri-State LRRP tab) and 1115 the Honor Guard is posting the colors and we're starting the meeting. Approximately 275 members in attendance, similar to last years... not too shabby. Texas rolled in with more about 15% of that with 36 members! Oklahoma was right behind us with 30 something.... Meeting was pretty short, they auctioned off a huge cart of alcohol and goodies which Skrape took home ($800?). Once we were out of there, headed upstairs to offload the cut and headed on a walk about with Chief and Kat. First Stop, Copper Penny for lunch and refreshments. Second Stop, Ohio Club. Third Stop, Rooftop bar nex door at The Waters (hope to stay here in the future). Then worked our way back and just as we walked up towards the Hotel, Donnie and Jill found me again! So, doubled back the way we came for a great dinner at The Brick House Grill. Then, back to the hotel for a evening CVMA event on the Second Floor and catching up with all. Got to chat with so many Brothers and Sisters over these last two days .... Cray-On, Skrape, Ozzie, Ollie, Ocho, Gus, Cornfed etc, etc... Have to admit..... never.. enough time. Hopefully one day in the near future, spend some of that visiting as quality time around a campfire telling war stories and truly learing more about each other. Well, on a positive note hit the hay early .. because ... Sunday .. we roll home.

We'll find ourselves on the bikes by 0730 headed west back the way we came. We're not 30 min down the road when I get a bird strike off my fairing making me duck and feathers flying everywhere (per my witnesses behind me). Then a few deer up ahead crossing in front of us, but no issues. Hell, at least no cages trying to kill me this time? It's only 250 miles each way and after another relaxing ride at five over on mostly 2 lanes, home early just a lil after noon. Soon, clouds are rolling in and one realizes we lucked out with the awesome temps/weather.

Next Year ... AR State Rally is held in Rogers/Fayetville area. Already looking forward to it!