Baker's Dozen

Dedication I would like to dedicate this book firstly to my wife of fifty plus years for putting up with me and encouraging me to follow my dreams that didn’t always pan out, and who stuck by me through thick or thin and good times as well as bad. And to Donny Petersen HAMC, a much-respected biker, author, Technical writer and consultant, motorcycle mechanic, shop owner, innovator, custom motorcycle builder, World traveler, philanthropist, boxer, weight lifter, friend and a full fledged 1% Biker. His influence and knowledge extended around the World, he was fearless, yet humble, and yet could be shy at times. He was an ambassador of the World of bikers to the outside World and he always did things by his rules, and he did it with class, dignity and style. He didn’t back away from a fight, be it with the police and the legal system or some heavies looking for trouble. His writing took us from the small towns and neighborhoods of Toronto and then around the World, into dense jungles and then to the top of Mount Everest and then into the mean streets, back alleys, slums of some of the Worlds most dangerous neighborhoods. I thoroughly enjoyed Donny’s books and he was the inspiration for me to do what I always wanted to do but didn’t know I could. He encouraged me to do it, but told me straight up: “Do it because you love to write. There isn’t any money in it!” He read some early drafts of this book as I was writing them, and I heeded his advice. His presence at the Riders Mag booth at the Motorcycle Shows always drew crowds and the Show had offered him his own space for free. He called me up and asked if he could be at our booth instead because, as he put it, “I’d rather be with the real people.” He called things as he saw them, and didn’t sugar coat things, didn’t care if you agreed with him or not! He was his own man and a true original! Donny Petersen 1947 – 2021 Gone But Not Forgotten. Love and Respect. Ride in Peace As this book is set-in small-town Ontario, Canada, I would like to further dedicate this book to all the Motorcycle Clubs of Southern Ontario, who have influenced me from my earliest recollections to present. In the days when every MC would attend all Club Field meets and participate to the fullest, in times when the games were hard core, gritty, down and dirty and would quickly separate the men from the boys. Things could get rough, and at times, medical attention was required, but they were a ball and the highlight of the year. Today, Clubs come and go, sometimes without notice, but back in the early days, you knew who was who and what they stood for, because they made themselves be noticed and their intentions were clear. The old Clubs, whose patches were revered and prized as if they were gold. Clubs had history and pride and wore and represented their patches with honour against all and any challengers. Many of these Clubs still exist today, although mortality has taken its toll and many of the older members have passed on. Some of the old Clubs have disappeared or were swallowed up by other, larger Clubs over the years. But they made their mark and had their role in the History of Motorcycle Clubs. I had the honour and the privilege of being able to cover events for many different Clubs over my years as Photojournalist for The Rider’s Mag and was treated very well by so many people. 1%er Clubs and non 1%er Clubs and independent Riders alike. It has been an adventure and there are many stories to be told, and I will do my best to relate them to the readers, as these were the best of times! There like will never be seen again!