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Welcome to the Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs of the

The Great State of Tennessee

"United We Ride"

As any citizen who is remotely aware of what is going on in the world around him can see that we are losing our rights and freedoms as Americans at an alarming rate. Each and every time our elected officials meet it seems that they propose or pass laws that erode our very lifestyle. Those of us who live a somewhat different lifestyle than what is considered the "norm" are further profiled and subjected to more severe judicial penalties and harassment by law enforcement officials.

There is an old adage that says something to the effect of, "You will never know where you are going until you know where you have been". To those who are unfamiliar with the "patch holding" motorcycle club society, I would like to fill you in on a little piece of motorcycle club history.

Almost any motorcycle enthusiast is familiar with the motorcycle clubs of the 1920's and 1930's, and the sensationalized events at Hollister following World War II. Hollywood immediately saw a chance to make some easy money and we were all of a sudden that "crazed bunch of delinquents" that emblazoned social disregard on late night movies. More fiction than fact.

During the 1970's motorcyclists, like many other groups, began to realize the fact that theirs was a group that had better start to protect its interests. The realization led to the formation of many Motorcycle Rights Organizations (MROs) designed to fight for the rights of all motorcyclists. Many of these MROs were started by patch holding clubs and their members. Yes, ABATE, MMA and other well known organizations can trace their roots to the "patch holding" clubs in their areas. These same "patch holders" soon determined that in no small part due to their above mentioned image, that it would be preferable, politically, to turn the leadership of these organizations over to the general motorcycling public.

In the 1980's many of these MROs saw the power and the resources of their opposition in the insurance companies, government agencies, medical organizations, etc. Seeing power in numbers, they began to unite with one another forming a network of communications and cooperation. Their opposition having the resources, used agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service to quell this grass roots political bunch of renegades. These were "Freedom Fighters" not accountants, and the organization suffered many hardships and judicial penalties.

In the late 1980's after experiencing much negative judicial pressure, some members of the "patch holding" community felt that they must once again step forward and rejoin the fight to secure their rights as American Citizens. Some of these farsighted club members (who had also been around in the formation of the MROs in the 1970's) decided that the most productive way to add their support to the cause was to form an organization of patch holding clubs which would focus on judicial issues and also provide support to those causes which the MROs dealt with on their behalf. This was a good alternative as it would add a judicial front to the already effective legislative one provided by the MROs. The Confederation of Clubs was thus formed in 1988. This was a significant milestone in motorcycling history in and of itself. Remember those fighting and warring clubs in those Hollywood "B" movies, all of a sudden they are sitting down together in a united effort to protect the rights of all motorcyclists.

If accomplishments and growth can appropriately be used to determine the value of this idea, then it would seem that it is and was a most valuable one. For example, since its inception, the Confederation of Clubs have fought and won most, if not all of the judicial issues regarding discrimination that they have undertaken. It is to this end that the Confederation of Clubs of Tennessee was formed in June of 1999.

At least twice each year the representatives of each state's Confederation gather at a National and Regional NCOM Convention where they get to know each other and share their experiences. The hope is that these encounters will develop into an effective network of communication and unity between all the "Freedom Fighters" across the Country and the World. The Confederation now boasts of membership in 44 states in the U.S., with the International Confederation of Motorcyclists assembling member clubs around the world.

As you can see the goals of our Confederation are simple: We are united and dedicated to legally fight any encroachment on our freedom to choose our lifestyle by law enforcement authorities, insurance companies, local proprietors, or any other special interest group. We intend to do this legally, through the courts if necessary and, in support of the MROs and any others who fight for the rights of motorcyclists.

Our Confederation is aware that the war will be long, perhaps none of us living will see it won, but we are united in our dedication to fight every battle and win every one that we can. The enemies of motorcycling will learn, if they haven't already that the harder they fight us the more united we become.

If you are a member of a motorcycle club in the State of Tennessee, we invite you to come and join us in our fight for the rights of motorcyclists. If you are outside Tennessee, there is a Confederation either existing or forming in your State. Join and Support your Confederation, they are fighting for your rights, you will meet and be able to share ideas and thoughts with people who think like you, and more than likely, you will have a great time doing it.

We are the Tennessee Confederation of Clubs

"United We Ride"