One of the subcultures that not many people are aware of or understand in the biker community are sober clubs and associations. I can probably guess what you`re thinking; I was also one who never put sober and biker in the same sentence; however, this particular community of bikers is growing. The average sober biker may look like any other heavy biker as they go down the highway with a set of colors but they are a unique crowd if you stop and talk with them.
Sober bikers are usually, but not always, members of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. They live by the biker creed and love the lifestyle of the wind with one huge difference--they drink coffee.
One of the groups in Georgia is .A.R.M. or Association of Recovering Motorcyclists. ARM is one of the largest sober biker groups in the world with chapters across North America, Europe, Australia, and Canada. They do not affiliate with other clubs but show respect to all clubs in the area where they ride. They are well respected as a group because they are who they say they are and they also mind their own business. ARM holds dances at AA and NA clubhouses, campouts for the clean and sober community, and is active in community activities such as “toy runs” and other charitable events.
ARM also has a sister organization called RWR or Recovering Women Riders. This group is for women only and rides in support of their ARM family. ARM is a male only group.
ARM was formed in 1986 in La Crosse Wisconsin and has grown for the last 26 years to become a shining example of living the biker lifestyle clean and sober. Like other clubs or associations ARM has been through the “hard knocks” that mature an organization but members will quickly admit they are about family and recover period.
ARM International can be contacted through their website at: http://arm-intl.com/
Membership information and questionnaires are available on their site. Membership is contingent upon a candidates clean and sober time, size of motorcycle (at least 500cc), and proper protocol.
If you`re clean and sober and looking for a group to ride, with take a moment to check out their website. Until next time--ride safe!
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