I get various photos popping up in Google that remind me of times past.
Around 1990 I got my first motorbike, a Yamaha RXS100. Although I was still a learner I found a local bike club to hang out with called the Bedford Eagles MCC. This was not like the Hell's Angels. It was just a bunch of people who were into motorbikes. They would go to various rallies where you camped in a field and drank lots of beer. They used to run the games at the British Motorcyle Federation rally. That was a really big event that was combined with a public bike show. Hundreds of people would camp there for the weekend. There were silly games like the five-legged race, but the main attraction was the sled race where a metal tray was tied to the back of a bike and pulled around a course with two on the bike and one in the sled. With road bikes on grass it could get quite hairy, but I do not remember any serious accidents. I am not sure if it would be allowed now.
This was at a smaller event where we camped in a pub garden. Mine is the smaller tent. It was basic and I got a better one later. Some rallies were in winter, so it could get cold.
There is a tradition of first-timers getting 'initiated'. I may have got off lightly with just having flour and other things poured over me, but it was generally good-natured.
This is my club on a day out to Knebworth House. I am not sure the kids were impressed by our antics.
After I passed my test I bought this Honda 400/4. It would be considered a classic now, but it had been messed around a bit with the wrong exhaust and seat. It got me around for a while. Note the lack of mirrors or indicators. I never got around to fitting any.
You can see photos of my other bikes here. I gave up biking once I had kids, but I did a lot of riding, including commuting into London all year round. The social side was great fun, but the roads can be dangerous.
Ride free and stay safe.