It’s time again for my favorite Old School chopper browsing, hell raising, hard-core bike rally of the year. This year was the twelfth gathering of like souls who love nothing more than hanging out with their peeps, drinking some beer and checking out the great rides and maybe a glance at some bodacious booty. Of course I’m talkin’ about Smoke Out XII put on by the The Horse Backstreet Choppers held this year again at the Rockingham Dragway on June 24-25 right across the street from the “Old School” NASCAR Freeway. Boy, do I miss that race.

This is not your weekend lawyers’ bike show; it’s all about the lifestyle. You won’t see many long low pro-stock $60,000 no ridin’, bad handling, street posin’ bikes showing up at the Smoke Out. Hell, you would be totally out of place and they might get dirty.

One of most Old School parts of the rally has to be, “The Long Road.” What is this Long Road you speakith of? Well I’ll tell ya. A group of iron tailbone bikers meet up and ride to Rockingham, North Carolina, for the Smoke Out. For a couple of years they started in Arizona at the western Smoke Out, but this year they came from all over the U.S. and Canada to New Orleans to join up and make the “Long” pilgrimage north. My back hurts just thinkin’ about it.

If you’re offended by the sight of a bare chested lady or are intimidated by a group of drunken rough-looking individuals I think you’re in the wrong place. It may all look wild and crazy but there is a method to the madness. It’s called Party Time, show off them tats loosen those bra straps and get loud and crazy. Please, just don’t spill my beer. I hate when that happens!

There will be three parts to this coverage with over 300 photos so check back the next few days if you’re interested in seeing the goings on. I’ll also give you the lowdown on the weekend festivities and info that you already know if you were there.