< PreviousMYTH: IT’S NOT EASY TO TRANSFER TO A 4-YEAR UNIVERSITYTRUTH: Community colleges were originally created to give students an affordable option of eventually obtaining a four-year degree. Therefore, there is a specific system set in place, designed to help students seamlessly transition to a four-year university. MAKE ITREAL!REAL LIFE. REAL EXPERIENCES. REAL FUTURE.Galveston College offers the education students are looking for, whether it’s a certificate, leisure learning or an associate degree that allows them to transfer to a four-year university or enter the workforce. It’s all right here in Galveston, affording students not only an economical approach to higher education, but an incomparable island lifestyle. Learn more at www.gc.edu. Life’s about to get real!SCHEDULE A TOUR ONLINE AT GC.EDU OR CALL 409-944-GCGCBeach 3 min.Strand 7 min.Moody Gardens 5 min.GALVESTON COLLEGEGALVESTONCOLLEGETo schedule an appointment or check in online, visitmemorialhermann.org/ccc or call 713.222.CARE.Taking care of you and your family is what we do best. For primary care, a 24-hour ER, physicaltherapy, advanced imaging and lab services, you can visit the Memorial Hermann ConvenientCare Center that’s closest to you. It’s convenience without compromise – all from one ofHouston’s most trusted health systems.2555 S. Gulf FreewayLeague City, TX 77573Located in Pinnacle Park. Turn right on Pinnacle Park Drive. The Convenient Care Center’s parking lot is immediately on the left.Everything you need. Right in League City.32 COASTMONTHLY.COM / November 2018Currents | Nice Rides‘You either get it, or you don’t’Islander finds perfect fit in ‘96 Fat BoyStory by Michael A. Smith | Photos by Stuart VillanuevaCalifornia, Labor Day weekend ... early, with ocean fog still in the streets, outlaw motorcyclists wearing chains, shades and greasy Levis roll out from damp garages, all-night diners and cast-off one-night pads in Frisco, Hollywood, Berdoo and East Oakland, heading for the Monterey peninsula, north of Big Sur ... The Menace is loose again.Thus begins Hunter S. Thompson’s 1966 book “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.” The book launched Thompson’s career as the leading practitioner of Gonzo Journalism, helped to spawn a whole film genre — the murder-cycle movie — and to inject the image of the outlaw biker into the Ameri-can psyche, where it rattled around with other archetypes of free-liv-ing ruggedness for half a century.And there it has stewed and evolved, fueling the rise of a subculture and the sale of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The bikers who drove Harley sales from about 300,000 in 1990 to almost 1.2 million by 2006 aren’t the bikers of Thompson’s book, of course. Those real outlaws always have been the minority — 1 percent, a past president of the American Motorcycle Association famously estimated decades ago.The vast majority of bikers who roar into Galveston each year for the Lone Star Rally, for example, share little with the modern Visigoths of Thompson’s book, other than a taste for leather, V-twin rumble and the open road.Mark Metzger pretty well personifies those 99-percenters, although he cuts a fairly imposing figure dressed in full biker garb, which one recent day included several large knives, one just shy of sword length.But while Metzger, 38, shares blue-collar beginnings similar to those West Coast Okies and Arkies who started it all a long time ago, he COASTMONTHLY.COM / November 2018 33apparently was not born to lose.Metzger, who has lived in Galveston for about three years, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a graduate of Texas A&M University and a card-carrying member of the State Bar of Texas.Another thing Metzger has in common with even the outlaws, however, is membership in a motorcycle club, although it differs in important ways from the outlaw clubs.“It’s a group of like-minded gentlemen,” Metzger said.Bitter End MC, like a lot of law-abiding clubs, is composed mostly of military veterans, he said.“For this club and for me, it’s about a feeling of camaraderie and brotherhood that we had in the military,” Metzger said. “When you get out of the military, you miss that. This club is an extension of that; it brings that back to our lives.”Metzger, a native of Missouri City, was, for practical purposes, born into the motorcycle culture, he said.“My stepdad is a welder by trade and got into Harleys in the mili-tary,” he said. “He’s been riding for 45 or 50 years.”Like a lot of successful young professionals with disposable income, Metzger enjoys collecting cool things. And for him, it’s not watches or sports cars, but motorcycles.“I have seven motorcycles,” he said. “Two are Harleys; one’s a Big Dog; one’s a Redneck; two are one-off custom choppers and I have a Yamaha that I putt around on.”Big Dog Motorcycles is a Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturing com-pany specializing in high-performance, on-road cruisers, according to its webpage. Redneck Engineering Custom Motorcycles is based in Liberty, South Carolina, and builds radically customized machines.“Some of these are not even practical for riding,” Metzger said of his fleet. “They’re works of art that serve no practical propose.”Metzger built his everyday bike himself. It’s a 1996 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy frame and motor outfitted with wheels from a Heritage Classic Softail and a Road King gas tank.“I made the fenders and handlebars myself,” he said. “This is the daily rider, the one I ride all the time. It’s built to my specs. The han-dlebars, the pegs, the seat; they’re in just the right places to fit me.”Like all bikers, he rides because he can, he said.“Number one, is the freedom it provides; the feeling you get when you’re out there all alone just riding” he said.“You either get it, or you don’t.” 2300 SHIP’S MECHANIC ROW, GALVESTON ISLAND, TX 409.763.0300 | TheTremontHouse.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Complimentary valet available for bar and restaurant patrons.Holiday Traditionsare a huge part of the heritage of Hotel Galvez & Spa. As part of this tradition, our hotel is pleased to host the Eleventh Annual City of Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration. We invite you to join us for holiday music by various local groups including the Galveston Community Band and the Galveston Ballet. The evening begins with the official lighting of our 35-foot Christmas Tree led by a countdown by Santa Claus and KHOU-TV’s Mia Gradney. Happy Holidays!There’s something special about enjoying a cocktail outdoors as the balmy ocean breeze creates magic in the air. The Rooftop Bar at The Tremont House, Galveston’s only open-air rooftop venue, is a chic, stylish lounge perfect for enjoying the sunset over the harbor, or for simply relaxing after work or before dinner. Open daily, weather permitting.cool off with a beverage and a viewcity of galveston holiday lighting celebration • Nov. 23 – 6pm • Hotel Galvez • Santa & holiday entertainment • A free family event2024 SEAWALL BLVD., GALVESTON ISLAND, TX409.765.7721 | HotelGalvez.comholiday magic at hotel galvez36 COASTMONTHLY.COM / November 2018randall Johnson, who founded the republic of Galveston Island National motor-Scooter museum, 2509 market St. in Galveston, has more than a dozen scooters in his collection, including his turquoise and white 1960 Harley-Davidson Topper.Photo by Jennifer Reynolds COASTMONTHLY.COM / November 2018 37FeaturesA ride on the mild sideIslanders embrace the scooter subcultureStory by Valerie WellsEver since Mary Cooper bought her orange 2018 Buddy Kick scooter, her routine errands around Galves-ton have become fun runs, she said.“I love the fresh air and especially going down the seawall and being part of the beach,” said Cooper, a fifth-generation, born-on-the-island businesswoman. “People tell me, ‘I saw you on your scooter.’”Motor scooters usually are offered by manufactures in three engine sizes in terms of cubic centimeters.Cooper acquired her 125cc scooter in March after years of dreaming, she said.Cooper planned to buy a scooter in the late summer of 2017, but Hurricane Harvey, which in August last year caused severe flooding in the region, delayed those plans for many months, she said.The appeal goes beyond cute stylishness. Scooters are economical. Moderately priced models with good reviews range from about $2,000 to about $5,000, depending on the brand. More expensive models are available for those seeking an extravagant option, and some less expensive models are available by mail. Gas costs less than $5 a month for scooters. Most models get about 100 miles to the gallon. Insurance also costs a lot less at about $100 a year, owners said.Photo by Stuart VillanuevaScooter enthusiast Mary Cooper rides down Seawall Boulevard in Galveston on her orange Buddy Kick scooter.38 COASTMONTHLY.COM / November 2018Features“Parking is so much easier,” said Randall Johnson, owner and operator of the Repub-lic of Galveston Island National Motor-Scoot-er Museum, 2509 Market St. downtown. “Scooters are utilitarian and great for a city like Galveston.”Johnson has 16 mopeds and scooters in his museum collection.“I sell some, but I collect more,” he said.Johnson created the museum to acquire, restore, preserve and showcase examples of classic and primarily American-made motor scooters, he said.The oldest vehicle he has is a 1927 Triumph Model W, which is a moped and not a scooter. A moped driver has to use pedals, while a scooter driver doesn’t. A moped engine is a 50cc or less, Johnson said. In 1962, Johnson first rode a Motobecane, another moped.The most recent scooter model at the mu-seum is a 2007 Yamaha Morphous, a long, sleek, black Batmobile inspiration that be-longs in a modern art exhibit, Johnson said.“As long as you get a good scooter, it will last forever,” Johnson said. “With a little mechanical knowledge, you can do most of your own repairs.”He advises owners to keep scooters out of the elements and to change the 1 quart of oil every 700 miles.The biggest problem owners have is let-ting a scooter sit too long so that it loses its Photos by Jennifer Reynolds(Left) A 2007 Yamaha Morphous motor scooter is one of two in the collection at Randall Johnson’s Republic of Galveston Island National Motor-Scooter Museum. (Above) A 1927 Triumph Model W is one of the oldest motorized scooters at the museum. It features headlights that burned carbide.Photo by Stuart VillanuevaMary Cooper is hard to miss on her orange Buddy Kick scooter.charge, Johnson said.Johnson lives on the island’s East End and rarely goes faster than 25 mph on his trips downtown or to the grocery store. A handy storage space under the seat holds a couple of bags of groceries, leaving the ride home unencumbered.“You’re not in a cage,” Johnson said. “I see things I’ve never seen before.”And scooter engines are quiet, so he also hears more at the street level, he said.Non-confrontational scooter riders com-prise a loosely knit community of like-mind-ed people, Johnson said. MARKET ST.MECHANIC ST.HARBORSIDE DR.POSTOFFICE ST.CHURCH ST.WINNIE ST.22ND ST.21ST ST.20TH ST.19TH ST.23RD ST.24TH ST.ROSENBERG26TH ST.27TH ST.28TH ST.29TH ST.STRAND ST.BALL ST.WHARF RD.SANTA FE PLACECRUISE TERMINAL 1CRUISE TERMINAL 2Nestled along Galveston Harbor, Pier 21 offers waterfront views, delicious dining options and a cluster of attractions that showcase the island’s cultural and maritime heritage – from the Texas Seaport Museum and 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA to the Pier 21 Theater, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum and Dolphin Tours. Pier 21 is located steps away from the Galveston Cruise Terminal.DOWNTOWNGALVESTONPIER 21THE STRANDPOSTOFFICEWEST MARKETHistoric downtown Galveston’s main shopping street, The Strand, draws visitors to its diverse collection of boutiques, gift shops, restaurants and attractions housed in majestic iron-front buildings that once made up the “Wall Street of the South.” From the old-fashioned candy shop LaKing’s Confectionery to the Galveston Railroad Museum and concerts at Saengerfest Park, The Strand and its surrounding streets serve as a hub for activities and entertainment.Marked by its beautiful Victorian architecture and colorfully painted storefronts, the Postoffice Street area is full of charm, offering an enchanting blend of art galleries, boutiques, antique shops, chic eateries and lively entertainment, including The Grand 1894 Opera House. Its artsy atmosphere has made this area a fresh hangout for locals and the center of the island’s popular ArtWalk held every six weeks.This burgeoning area west of the downtown district boasts old-fashioned, fabled establishments with lots of room for new tenants. Area anchors include Maceo Spice and Import Company, where visitors can sit at a community table for a new experience every day; cocktail speakeasy Daiquiri Time Out, which features fresh, classic cocktails in a sleek, urban setting; and free-flowing Gypsy Joynt, offering eclectic fare locals crave and evening entertainment. THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSESAENGERFEST PARKGALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUMTEXAS SEAPORT MUSEUMOCEAN STAR OFFSHORE DRILLING RIG MUSEUMDOWNTOWNGALVESTON.ORGADVERTISEMENTNext >