BoogieDowner Street Beat Photo: What's a Greek Doing in the Latin American Motorcycle Association?

Here is a fun post about a Bronx biker I found filling up at a local gas station. I was not only intrigued by the ride but also the fact that he had both a Greek and Puerto Rican flag on the back. I approached him in Greek and jokingly asked "What's a Greek doing in the Latin American Motorcycle Association?” He responded; "My wife; the love of my life is Puerto Rican. I am lucky enough to have her and be welcomed as a member in the group". We then did the secret Hellenic handshake, that only Greeks know, and he confessed his real name is in fact Vangelis not Angelo.

I posted the organization web site below, as well as the introduction from their President as found on their home page. I did see “Easy Rider” growing up and do appreciate their commitment to Democratic ideals as posted on the first page of their web site.

Gregory







INTRODUCTION TAKEN FROM THEIR WEBSITE HOME PAGE:

The Latin American Motorcycle Association (L.A.M.A) was founded in 1977 in Chicago’s notorious Humboldt Park neighborhood. From it’s inception L.A.M.A. was intended as a Moto-Touring club with truly Democratic ideas. A lone chapter until the first chapter was started in Miami in 1995, LAMA became a National Association when the first national president was elected in 1996.

In 1999 LAMA became an International Association with chapters in Puerto Rico, Mexico, U.S.A. & Cuba. Presently LAMA has additional chapters in Uruguay, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain & Australia. LAMA was intended as the club of the 21st century and is a work in Progress, to be continued by the flow and ideas of new members in near and far off lands!

LAMA is a club without borders. We have evolved into an “International Humanist Association”. We accept working people from all walks of life regardless of nationality, race, color, religion, social class, gender, age, brand of motorcycle, etc. We believe that it is more important to be human than to be Latin, Asian, black, white, etc!

LAMA is one of the most respected clubs in the world. As a LAMA member there are doors opened to you in every city where we have chapters. To know LAMA is to visit the other chapters, especially chapters in other nations.

LAMA is recognized as one of the most active long distance riding clubs in the world. Our women (DAMAS DE LAMA) accompany us on their own motorcycles, riding X-treme distances, which most Bikers find way too far and others find a challenge of endurance.

LAMA by-laws were compiled through 30 years of experiences. It was not intended so that we carry a dictionary of rules to have few short hours of fun. On the other hand, there are times when difficulties occur, and that’s when they come in handy.

WELCOME TO LAMA! YOU HAVE JUST JOINED ONE OF THE BEST CLUBS IN THE WORLD. WE CHALLENGE YOU TO HELP US IMPROVE IT.


Mario Nieves, Founder
http://www.latinbikers.com/web/