As an old 1%er with 47 yrs in. I cannot stress enough to anyone the importance of spending a lot of time in the Hang Around phase! Eventually members will begin to “lean” on you to “step up” into Prospect. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN WILL AND PACE! Again, this is so so important. The Hang Around spot really has the best seat in the house in my opinion. You get to hang out, party, ride and generally be able to reap so many benefits without the grunt work of Prospect and the BS an actual member has to to put up with. As a Hang Around, you can come when you want and LEAVE when you want! Many times, if you are a long time Hang Around and prove n and trusted, your Prospect time is much easier. Just by de facto easier, since everybody already knows you and knows your capabilities. This of course, is not a given or automatic! But one of the best advices is take a lot of time in Hang Around and do not fall to pressure. The lure and temptation to get that patch is immense and can confuse you! You will wanna start to get the process underway. Don’t do it! Wait until YOU really really know it’s for you!

In the summer of 2004, I was camping at the KOA in Pomona. My family was at the fair, I was out riding. It was a hot August night in So Cal and as I came back to Pomona, there was a stranded biker near the fairgrounds, I pulled over to see if he needed help (I live in Montana, we don't leave anyone on the side of the road, Big Foot could eat them). His bike just quit, and I ended up towing him home, He lived in Pomona and it was the first time I've towed another motorcycle. And I've been riding since 1962, I was 12. Anyway, he saw I was wearing a Firefighters Club Cut and my plates are Montana. After I dropped him off, He gave me a green Vagos Courtesy Card, which I still have, and told me if I needed anything to call him. His name was J.R. we became friends and always invited me to ride with him when I was in California. The last time I saw J.R. was at the Roadhouse in Etiwanda. Several years ago, I ran into a Vago who said J.R. died, sorry to hear that, I'm glad I was able to help him out, Brian in Hungry Horse Montana

Starting from 17:20: That's some GREAT advice. Looking back, I wish I had done more hanging around when I first got in touch with the motorcycle club world. ML&R from Germany.

Fellow punk rocker...drawn to the motorcycle scene, thanks for sharing man

Club-jumping really isn't rare. I have met a lot of people who have done it and kind of did it myself as a hang-around with a couple of clubs. It's really amazing how fast many of the clubs change membership. I can say I never saw a Mongols' prospect be disrespected by Mongols patchholders. That really goes a long way toward making someone want to stick around and be part of the club. My experience as a Vagos prospect was far from that, mostly due to the chapter I mistakenly prospected. I am pretty sure that chapter no longer exists, but I did learn a valuable lesson: It's not the club, it's the chapter. You might like the club, but individual chapters vary greatly. Some are much better than others. Most of the people I met that I liked were other hang-arounds and prospects, but virtually all of them walked away for pretty much the same reason I did. Odds are we know one or two of the same people from the Green Nation, although you would know them better than I do.

Wow! Great content, you're good! Thank you for sharing your experiences...this format & tone makes it all the better too.

My cousin Doug Mackey was a long time member of the Vagos. He passed away several years ago and quite a few of his brothers from the Vagos showed up for the memorial service at a church. Even though I was completely an outsider I was very appreciative of the love they showed to my cousin. Changed my views of the club lifestyle . Much love to the Vagos

Once again, great Show Mooch!

I'm a veteran and worked with veterans for more than 20 years. It does not surprise me that so many MCs started by WWII veterans. The power of brotherhood is a very real thing men need.

New subscriber from Canada, old, retired biker from back in the 80s. I am looking forward to hearing more on your story.

All the best from Australia mate luved the info you shared

Great episode homie , thanks for keeping it real . Much L/R

Good stories bro, jus found u today, look forward to more episodes...ain't nothing like being patched, I'm ridin in Arizona.... Mad Dog

This is THE BEST testimony I've ever heard if anyone ever wanted or was considering being a part of a club. What you go through. Commitment thoughts etc. I really enjoyed listening to you. Good luck and blessings on your life's journey

Wise words, great presentation. Respect from the UK 🇬🇧

man I got mad respect for you.

great video, great story and great advice , one of my issues is time management and you touched on this validating my thoughts on time management (family, work, club) I sincerely appericate the time you spent on this clip .

Solid content! Straight talk for a change on KZfaq. Former patch holder here. One Club the entire time, but there’s a lot in common with the impulse stuff. Subscribed. GT

Always keepin it real..thanks for the advice bro.

Like the channel and the stories man!

What’s up Mooch! Followed you on IG for a while and just recently found your YT channel so now I’m binge watching your episodes. I hope you keep putting out new content, you seem like a very natural interviewer, developing a good rapport with the guest quickly, asking interesting questions etc. Your interview with Peewee was great. I’d love to see some stuff about some of the lesser known clubs of the 60’s and 70’s in NY and San Fran.

I moved to Portland in 2005 from the east coast and lived off Alberta street. I hung out at the know after work and drank 1 buck tall boys. I saved enough money to buy a used bike from Eastside Motorcycle, and started to meet people who were serious about riding. I started hanging out at a clubhouse in my neighborhood and was immediately accepted. I’m a veteran and I was not finding that connection in the punk and hardcore scene in Portland. But in the club scene all I had to do was shake a man’s hand and introduce myself. I met you at a big party one time, and we talked about tattoos and music. I live back on the east coast now, and I miss Portland when it was a different place. I still ride motorcycles and go to hardcore shows. I really enjoyed this video and I am happy that someone made the connection with punk/hardcore/Oi! and riding bikes.

Respect always 💯 from across the pond in Dublin IRELAND 🇮🇪 ☘️🍀,new sub,

Another great watch!

Great post! Keep them coming

Wish I could find something that felt right in North East WY. I will be looking for your book. Keep the shiny side up and rubber side down brother. 👊

Much respect Mooch! Can’t wait till the book drops 💯

Thank you for your life story very interesting, I ride but don’t belong to any clubs I just love motorcycles and the culture,ride safe .

ill keep an eye out for your book homie, we only met a few times in Portland, but you were always a super cool dude. hope you're well homie.

Man, good storytelling homie! 👏🏽

Grew up in WA, got to meet a few guys in the GJMC, Outsiders, Brother Speed, and Free Souls in my travels throughout the PACNW - they were all pretty good people.

Thanks for providing this solid content and sharing your story. Great video can't wait for the next one!

i didnt see the end of the story coming. Dope episode!

Thank you for sharing this information bro. . Appreciate it. Very cool 😎.... 💯💚💯💚💯💚💯💚💯💚💯

Grew up around the Vagos in southern California and the Straight Satan's my order brother joining the Vagos Orange county CA. But I have a great respect for the Bikeing World and all the clubs

Awesome video man keep up the good work

signed up cant wait to hear more

Awesome podcast great to meet you in Tennessee

In the 80s my Ole man was a Vago when we in Yuma and Phoenix. I loved every one of them...

Congratulations brother

you have 17k views on this MWM alone. thats very impressive man. keep working hard its all paying off 💯

Very intriguing.

Intresting man, sounded like you were confident during the process so cudois

Great video, thanks for sharing 👍

Ty for the knowledge sir.

My first time watching u bro and about to subscribe! Much love from a Sin City Deciples MC supporter bro 💯

This is my first video from you and the thing I like the best is, you don’t have a lot of “quiet time” in them, like you’re trying to figure out what to say next. I like that. Me…In the early 70s, I was in the dominant club in town for a couple of years and only dropped out because my engine blew up and I didn’t have the money to fix it, especially with our 30 day down period. No one in the club offered to help get my bike up, with the understanding I’d pay them back. There’s more to the story but I’ll stop here. Oh…I still ride today and I’ll be 74 this year but I’m just a bike rider now. Subscribed.

Great video man !

Great stuff man!!!

Cool video bro, I’m glad I came across your channel 🤙🏼

I agree about taking your time. I use to wanna rush everything. Now I KINDA do my own thing, I've partied with all kinda groups. I'm in no rush now. If I never find my perfect fit then I don't find it. I just found this channel and I hit the subscribe button.

Cool story. I used to live in Reno.

Hey Mooch ,Ron here down NZ , just a quick gday ,hope you and your friends n fam are all gd over there bro

New subscriber...enjoying so far. I grew up surrounded by Vagos..( my uncle Puro was the founder and original President of the Vagos MC in Berdoo. Best of luck with your channel. 💚✌🏽

Fantastic video!!!

Good story thanks for sharing IL be getting a copy of your book for sure signed if possible kepp up the good work great video

Tried to Subscribe to the channel, It’s kicking me off to Video quality site for San Francisco Oakland. Keep up the good work man enjoy hearing about the motorcycle life.

Awesome video for those looking to join

The truth be told and been told very well 🕶

Looking forward to that book

I look forward to reading your book when it comes out. I'm sure you mentioned where you follow updates for it, like in the description or something. I'm going to double check to see i can find it before I ask lol . *Update* I quickly found the sign up thing for the book in the description which had the link.

I didn't realize the outsiders were that chill maybe I'll stop by their Clubhouse sometime

My pops used to have support vagos shirts,much luv from Ontario Ie woodsta

I remember I seen a recent run flyer of theirs that said, “if you don’t belong, don’t stay long.” It’s comical because they can’t keep good people and the people that make up the club today will not be there in 5 years. They will have moved on to bigger and better things. Doesn’t matter if it’s family life, or another club that’s a better fit. Some of these clubs only care about the “party” and the only way that ends is with a GoFundMe page. You should surround yourself with people who hold you to a higher standard, not people who want to hold you back from reaching your full potential just because they don’t have any ambitions.

My uncle’s sister in law was married or just lived with a Vago in the early 70s and maybe even in the 60s. He lived in a very rural town near the edge of L.A. County back then later called Rowland Heights. Hells Angels shot him off his bike on Carbon Canyon Rd. in the early 70s. My uncle still remembers the chants Vagos said at the funeral. A very different era back then.

In 2006 or so I was managing a bar in San Diego, when a group of Vagos dropped in and partied all night. There were also some guys from a Tijuana chapter as well. No trouble from the actual members, but a hanger on with a squeaky voice white dude talked crap the whole night and was trying to pick fights.

Mooch dawg 🤜🏻🤛🏻

Cool channel!! remember you and your brother from reds I was like a 17yr old bus boy at the time lol.

cool story sir...thanks..

Thank you OG

I once hit really hard into the side of a Honda Accord at about 65 mph, that broke left... as I was passing it on the left.

Red eye is a great dude!! Solid!!!

Great video

Magpie was a Vago? So weird how little we know about people we have known for a long time. :) Great pics!

Found the channel recently and have been going through the old episodes. Good times and great story's dude. Keep killin it.

Just got in a bar fight in Missoula, my. And had patched members backs from Idaho ! Never forget this night!

Awesome video. ML&R FTW

Very cool salute to I homie all love from Philly

it would be real cool if you can come up with reflective patches for night rideing.

I think it is great you're doing this. I think it would be great to hear your old skinhead days stories too.

Thank you.

Riding in Oregon to fkn cold bro,🤣🤣

aloha mooch. thanks for the work you put in on your episodes. I like listening to you because I have a younger brother but I want to get into riding with me. so I like hearing stories about you and your brother. That's what it's all about. so thanks again. be safe. aloha

We wish him well ❤️‍🩹

Dude, I remember you and your brother!!! You guys were cool as hell. I was getting in about the same time as you. I was with the Vegas Charter. Good to see you again.

Really enjoyed the video, I have never even ridden a motorcycle but this was very interesting. Subscribed.

Well I have not heard that clubs name in years but they are very old school and I soaked up what I could from the outsiders, also hung out with the free souls , and gypsie jokers , wasn't any young jokers at the time and I used to get a kick out of what grumpy old timers they were reminded me a lot of an awesome gpa ... No joke tho for sure ... But outsiders have that swag 😎 ...

Cool video well presented. Sincere

Have always loved both the mongols and Vagos. Just moved back to San Diego area, really having a hard time just trying to provide for my wife and son, but hoping to get a bike again sometime this year, and would love to start hanging around mongols here around San Diego if there is a chapter.

Put this here since it's most popular. I don't do social media. I have just ordered your book, delivery on Friday £12.52 I think over here. Looking forward to reading it. Scotland.

Well said.

16:06 sweet bike

Cool story I didn't know you were in the vagos first, im suprised they didn't take issue with you leaving to join another club. Definitely true about taking your time to see which club you fit best with

Random that this video was suggested to me tonight. I actually met you and your brother a couple times about 11 or 12 years ago, I think. Something like that. My friend Kevin brought me down to a small hole in the wall place in Sellwood. Again, out at Jubitz, I believe. Both times you all were, as you mentioned in this, cordial and nice. At Jubitz you or your brother even remembered my name. Haha it was a good time.

Love that Outcast Mentality hoodie!

Good dude glad I seen your post and I am hoping to check out your memoir

Cool show

Due to work and family life I don’t have time to read will there be an audiobook? Rooting for you mooch

Hey mooch I enjoy your content, you keep it real, you don't bs people, so much respect for that. My question is if you're a member of a 1%er club and leave on good standing with your brothers do you still have to worry about your enemies or do they leave you be when they find out you left your club?

I was wondering where you was at just the other day.