Like a gigantic metal amoeba, the front of the group slowly pulls out into the intersection, creating a seemingly magnetic draw for the other scooters behind. As they roll along, passersby on downtown Sacramento streets wave and watch until the line is out of sight. Even Harley riders out on Saturday afternoon cruises acknowledge the column of machinery with salutes and amused smiles. Winding in serpentine fashion, the procession carves its way into the Sierra foothills, eventually turning onto a gravel road where a couple of outhouses mark the final destination. Amid the forest of valley oaks, riders pull off into an open field of hay and park, the motors quieted until the next morning.
Beer flows freely from a tapped keg as people meander around the field of newly scooters.
Many refer to their machines by name. The Taxi Cab bike is yellow with a checkboard pattern painted down the side. The Mad Max bike has pieces of sheet metal riveted all over it. The Forty Lords bike got its name after someone modified the Fort Ord bumper sticker plastered to its frame. The Bubble Gum scoot is decorated with multi-colored pieces of chewed gum.