RUSSIA: MOSCOW: FIRST EVER BIKERS' CONVENTION

(3 Jul 1995) Russian/Nat

Russia's post Soviet era passed a truly American milestone at the weekend- it hosted its first ever bikers' convention.

Hundreds of bikers converged on Pushkino near Moscow for a weekend of the usual bikers indulgences - heavy metal music, tattooing and, of course, lots of motorbikes.

It could be any small town in middle America hosting a bunch of Harley-Davidson loving bikers for a weekend of bikes, beer and bonding.

But its another continent, another culture and there aren't many Harleys.

This is Pushkino, near Moscow and while the bikes are mostly Russian or more likely one-of-a-kind self-made models built from spare parts, the sentiments are the same.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
When you sleep at home - your motorcycle is near you, not on the street in the rain, but with you.
SUPER CAPTION: Biker

The show is organised by the Night Wolves- the motorcycle club that is Russia's answer to the Hell's Angels.

Although the have been bikers in Russia since Communist days, the show was a chance for motorcyclist and bike lovers to celebrate the freedom they have in post- Soviet Russia.

The weekend had everything any self-respecting biker could want- lots of Harley Davidson paraphernalia even if the bikes themselves were a bit thin on the ground, a tattoo parlour with all the traditional designs available and constant loud heavy metal music.

The Night Wolves leader says they represent an escapist lifestyle that many Russians would like to follow.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
There aren't that many of us. There are a lot of people who want to be with us. I think for the young people we simply provide some kind of hope in life. For grown-ups, we provide some kind of relief from everything that's happening.
CAPTION: 'Surgeon' Leader of Night Wolves

But the bikes themselves took centre stage.

Bikers strutted their stuff as they competed for the title of best bike, best bike older than 1950, best woman's bike and best self-styled bike.

It seems opening up the throttle on a noisy motorbike is a pleasure enjoyed the world over by men and women -regardless of what country they live in.

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