Just became a National member again, free with the new bike and not sure I'm really a Nat'l member being over here in Europe with the UK handling my membrship. Was a Nat'l in the late 80's and triied the locals in both Tucson and Vegas in early 90's and did get some of the impressions Spiderman "shared" with us along with too much "club business" that wasn't conducted from the saddle. Meeting to plan rides, meeting to plan meetings to plan rides, meeting to discuss rides you planned that went bad or were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts with meeting. You don't need no HOG personalized chair to eat my hotdog on or have a meeting in; now at the end of the day with the bikes in for the evening one for beers is a different requirement. I am a member of a club, one piece patch, that was founded overseas for mostly military, ex-pats, contractors & spouses and it did just what many of you said you were looking for; a organization that shared a passion and then got out and actually participated in it. Just finished another tour in Korea, two years, and it was good friendships and great riding. With shipping times, only had the two bikes over there for 19 months and wife and I rode 6,500 and 8,000 miles respectively. Not near what I rode in the states, but look at a map; it's a pretty small (really an island) and has sh!tty weather in the winter (didn't stop the polar bear run though). Small clubs in local places, largest probably 18 members...but a club not a group; difference is you can be selective...generally meaning..clubs are either all a$$holeS or none, we try to be the later. I now have friends I can call on worldwide to ride with, for help or just to exchange routes and stories. Our ride planning meetings consisted of "Hey Roadcaptain, we want to do a two day ride this weekend somewhere we haven't been yet...we'll depart Sat at 8:00 after breakfast" ride planning meeting done. Maybe when I get back to the states I'll try a local again; in the meantime I'm real interested in a CVO gathering in Europe!!! Count me in. -Stump