Motorcycle Clubs in the real world are usually organized by the riding type, style, brand of bike or events and have evolved since the early 1900s when it is said MCs first originated right after world war II with the New York Motorcycle Club, which merged with the Alpha MC of Brooklyn to become the federation of American Motorcyclists. Eventually, it grew into the American Motorcyclist Association.
Today there are many motorcycle clubs around the world involved in charity rides and other activities for the greater good slowly shedding the stigma of criminal activities by the biker gangs considered “outlaws” of society.
In Second Life, you can be part of a Motorcycle club and virtually ride across scenic terrains with your group of friends and be involved in charity events and other fun and entertaining activities without spending a single lick of gas or running up miles on your hog or crotch rocket.
The great thing about MCs in Second Life is the bond it creates between members from around the world, sharing a virtual highway. The SL Enquirer caught up with Maverick’s MCs owner Λ G (angelor.galanter) and his business partner Karlee (karlee.heartsong) to learn more about this motorcycle club and what it stands for.
Interview with Λ G (angelor.galanter) and Karlee (karlee.heartsong)
SLE: Before we get into Maverick’s MC @ Ruffneck Falls, we’d love to know where you are from and how you discovered Second Life?
Λ G: I am in California and have lived here for many years. I became the sole parent, both mother, and father, if you will, of my youngest daughter who was 6 at the time. I wanted a way for us to play together and learn together. So, supervised, I joined SL to let her play barbie on a safe sim.
Karlee: I live in Colorado. My RL husband introduced me to SL about 10 years ago. I hated it but tried it again a few years later and I am still here.
SLE: AG that’s an awesome way to bond with your child and Karlee glad you gave SL another shot. Would you consider Second Life an extension of your real life or just a game to pass some time?
Λ G: From day 1 I have acted and believed that SL is an extension and an enhancement of my real life (think video-conference with friends and loved ones!).
Karlee: I consider SL to be an extension of real-life as my feelings are involved here. I have found a great community, love to build, and even talk to many people I met here, outside of SL proper.
SLE: What inspired you to create Maverick’s MC @ Ruffneck Falls? Can you tell our readers more about your MC motto and what you expect from members?
Λ G: Very simply we are an upscale hybrid MC within the mainstream of SL'ers who love SL and being part of a community for connection, adventure, and fun. We seek anyone who loves motorcycles, MC way of life, and brings skills, talents, and passion.
Our Motto is Respect, Diversity, Inclusion, Friendship, Fellowship, and Fun.
We expect our members to be themselves, and share their journey in SL/life with us as we do with them.
Karlee: Angelor and I both have set this as our mission.
SLE: That is a great motto. Are you all invite-only or can anyone go to the MC events or is it exclusively for members only?
Λ G: In general, our MC is open to the public, including events and concerts. Anyone can come and simply hang out if they enjoy the community Karlee and I (and many others) have created.
Karlee: I think other than those events specifically for patched members, anyone can join in. We love having people here and visiting with them.
SLE: That is great you are open to the public, please tell our readers more of the types of events do you host?
Λ G: Our MC, which Karlee and I both envisioned together, and have hosted DJs and Live singers. We look forward to other events during rallies, bike build-offs, and, perhaps, even re-imagining products and services that are a benefit to the MC community as a whole.
SLE: How can visitors interested in becoming a patched member of Maverick’s MC @ Ruffneck Falls join the MC and be part of your community?
Λ G: My first suggestion for anyone is to come to meet us, ride our tracks, and get a feel for who, what, why, and how we operate. We, essentially, have no restrictions as to race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental conditions, religious/political affiliations, or citizenship. If members can't ride directly, they can either ride as a passenger for our ride-outs or be a non-riding but equally essential contributing patched member.
Karlee: The way I see it, people should attempt to get to know the current members of Mavericks MC by joining our support group, attending our events, hanging out with us, and deciding if what we offer would be what they would want in their lives. After that, fill out an application to join and go from there.
SLE: There are multiple Motorcycle clubs in Second Life. What separates Maverick’s MC from the rest?
Λ G: I think a more important part is how we "fit" the fabric of all the MCs. MCs are all different but work together for the community as a whole. Every MC is a unique part of the larger community on a spectrum of all possible human potentials. Basically, we can't separate ourselves from other MCs anymore than people can separate themselves from humanity.
Karlee: In addition to that, Mavericks are different in that we are not fighting or griefing MC. We are here to enjoy our lives, have a great time with a community that all of us have built together.
SLE: Many MCs do a lot for the community. Orion is a rider and has done many Toys for Tots and Poker Runs and many other charity rides. What kind of charities are you involved in or special events within Second Life?
Λ G: As a vet myself, as well as Karlee, I am going to defer to her answer on that, she summarizes it so well. I will add that we assist other MCs with creating and building their sims, tracks, or any other projects they ask us to help with. We've shared the essence of our bylaws with others, as well. In addition, Karlee and I are working on tech products that will be useful not only in MCs but SL in general that will be free to all who wish to use them.
Karlee: We had a Wounded Warrior Project event on Memorial Day and we are currently planning where we go from there. Basically, as veterans, we not only hold events but help out other MCs with their events whenever possible.
SLE: Are you looking for more patched members or people for support? Can you tell us if you are currently recruiting or hiring for any positions within the motorcycle club?
Λ G: We just started our recruitment drive about two weeks ago. This drive includes classified ads, notifications, posters, and more. Realistically, it's about us as an MC getting out there meeting/greeting people and making alliances primarily outside of MC's. There are many SL'ers who don't even know that up to 200 full track sims exist for their enjoyment. We can't and do not accept other current MC members or those who recently left an MC. (See our Recruitment Poster)
SLE: You have a Dedicated Highway here on the sim, can you tell our readers more about that?
Λ G: Yes, well, if you have anything you'd like to dedicate a track to you can. Passed or living. rip or birthday, especially vets, disabled, retired, and more. it puts heart in what we do. We also have a Wounded Warrior Sign up and HFOT kiosk to donate for homes for our troops
Karlee: I did one level for a real-life navy friend of mine who passed away recently. The honorarium stays up for one month.
SLE: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Karlee: We welcome everyone to come to visit Mavericks MC @ Ruffneck Falls to enjoy the natural and beautiful tracks that we have here. We have 15 total tracks. 13 of these are nice wide tracks with beautiful surrounds, a speed track to test your skills on, and our newest track, Blade Runner.
Λ G: I will add our primary mission: Mavericks MC's mission is to create, join, and participate in SL events, including ride-outs and/with other MCs, public, and related activities. Ride Outs typically highlight our connections with each other in a fun and unique way (usually in-voice).
Mavericks MC, Angelor Galanter, is one of many MC Estate owners and SL Estate owners spearheading a movement to eradicate griefing as a tool to strike fear in Owners of sims and businesses, and causing a huge loss in traffic and revenue. If you are an Estate owner and wish to join get an invite
here is the link:
secondlife:///app/group/9679d3b1-3aed-6a61-4197-72ee08d001e9/about
MC Command and Sim Owners Alliance. It is really up to all Estate Owners to insist griefing remain inside of RP sims.
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