As the Moped Army has grown from a group of friends in one location to a nationwide affiliation of moped gangs, rallies have increasingly functioned as a way for people from different areas to get to know each other, compare mopeds, and for the community as a whole to unify under the identity of the Moped Army. For the host branch, a rally is a way to showcase their city. Often rallies feature unique features of the on the landscape that only a local would know. For visiting members, rallies are a chance to reconnect with friends, and get to know new members as well as to represent their branch.
Prospective branches applying to become official branch of the moped army, rallies become an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to a moped lifestyle. Finally for newcomers, both new members and non-affiliated individuals, these events are often the first opportunity to see so many mopeds, and enthusiasts gathered together. It is common for host to produce rally themed materials, such as t-shirts, patches, buttons, or handkerchiefs which are sold to attendees. Additionally rallies becomes site for exchange of other materials with emblems of branches, or past rallies between members. What follows are pictures taken at rallies I have attended in the last year, with an attempt to interpret the experience of attending these events.
Thunder Road, Louisville, Ketucky, April 2007
Thunder Road was the first moped Rally I attended, an the first the Bourbon Bandits hosted as an offical branch.
There is my yellow ciao, co-mingled with other makes of moped. This was my first time seeing so many mopeds, and moped riders gathered in one place.
Here the group was getting set to leave on a large group ride the second day of the rally.
view other's photographs of Thunder Road
Moped BBQ 13, Kalamazoo, Michigan, May 2007
The Moped BBQ, held each Memorial Day has traditionally been the center of the MopedArmy. It was the first rally this group held, and the largest each year. Moped BBQ13 had over 300 people in attendance.
The afternoon of the first day a pot luck diner awaited those arriving in from out of town.
On the second day a large group ride went through Kalamazoo, on their way out of town.
The second day included a long ride outside of Kalamazoo to a dirt track where races were held .
the last day of the weekend was the day of the custom bike show, raffle and barbeque at Moped 1977 down town. In this photograph, Nigel of Peddy Cash has appropriated the flags of San Francisco's Creatures of the Loin.
view other's photographs of Moped BBQ 13
BlingBQ 4, Chicago, Il, July 2007
Peddy Cash hosts BlingBQ each year in July. The horror theme of the poster was reflected in an failed attempt to watch Friday the 13th one night of the rally. Treatment, the act of being treated, and treats are a reference to a moped gang the Treats from San Fransisco, whose name is a reference to an ad campaign for Rice-a-Roni.
Riding in Chicago's heavy traffic was very different from group rides in other locations. The flow of traffic and presence of police prevented the group ride from ignoring traffic signals, as is common in other group rides.
Hot Doug's, a famous Chicago restaurant was a destination on the second day. Hoy Doug's recognized the Moped Army's arrival by making it the celebrity item on the Menu that week.
More of a group ride through Chicago's north side
My moped traveled home on the front of Dan's van, as I took this picture I hoped it would not be the last I saw of it.
view other's photographs of BlingBQ4
Red October 4, Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 2007
Red October is hosted each fall by the Guns, a group formed by the merging of two moped gangs, the original and Noivy Lef. Their rally's name reflects Noviy Lef's Soviet inspiration. This year the rally's poster was inspired by a member's cat, Bill Murray.
I left Kalamazoo with a group of seven other moped riders to make the 120 mile trip to the rally by moped. By far the longest trip I've taken on a moped.
This shot is at the start of the main ride the second day of the rally. Note the branch symbols placed over several headlights indicating the rider's affliation.
At the end of the long ride we stopped at a cider mill outside Ann Arbor, to appreciate this seasonal treat.
A final picture from Red October 4, a helmet showing creative use of stickers from past rallies