I arrived at the first annual biker party at Meches Mexican Restaurant in Shunyi just in time to see Greg Mech ride his Harley Davidson under a swinging hot dog as his wife, Bernice, attempted to catch it in her teeth.

Children were responsible for helping hang the hot dog off the bridge in the first place, making the whole event more a competition of skill. It’s really difficult to balance your bike when your lady is attempting to catch lunchmeat in her mouth.

Mech and seven expatriate friends are the core members of what they hope will become China’s first chapter of the Mad Dog Motorcycle Club, a group started in the Philippines by professional guys who love to ride “but wanted more than just a casual weekend riding group,” according to Joe Fitter, a finance director and original Philippines chapter member.

All professionals, prospective charter members fire off one dirty joke after another—the creed “I’ll let you ride my bike if you let me screw your wife” ranked among the more polite terms—unless the topic of conversation was bikes. “It takes a lot of trust to go ride with someone over long distances in third world countries,” Fitter says. “That trust goes beyond biking.”

Mad Dog also reaches beyond choppers. Like other Mad Dog chapters, once the Beijing group receives their charter they will start community outreach and charity work.

With so much responsibility, members are not accepted into the group lightly. There’s a six-month “prospect period” to get through, and due to safety concerns, even guest riders need an invite.

The proposed Beijing chapter will build membership from both the local and expatriate community, according to Fitter. Biker night is every Tuesday at 8pm at Meches Mexican Restaurant (Tel: 8042-2270). Just make sure to ask before sitting on anyone’s bike.

Caroline Killmer