Romedog, his nearly 300-pound frame planted on a barstool in Johnny's Bar and Grill, was steadily throwing back rounds of Jack Daniels and 7-Up chased by cups of Budweiser.
A news crew that was filming some Independence Rally footage at the bar on Saturday irritated Romedog, a biker from South San Francisco.
"Get that camera outta here," he said, waving his bulbous, tattooed arm at the cameraman. "You're the reason this thing has ended up this way."
A few minutes later, some police walked through the nearby loading zone, at the same time aggravating and amusing the crowd.
"When I came into town, I saw a lot of cops pulling bikes over," said Albert Morales, a biker and technician from Gilroy. "If they keep doing that - harassing us - people will stop coming. It's all about having a good time. We're just hardworking citizens and a lot of us have families. This is a hobby."
Was it a sign of defiance that Romedog and Morales, along with thousands of other riding enthusiasts, rolled into Hollister for an event that was supposedly canceled? Or was it a diverse group of loyalists keeping alive a tradition many said will never die?
"Does it look like it's canceled?" said Ellwood Green, a retired Navy colonel from the East Bay who was hanging out in the Vault with his crew. "There's a legacy here and it's gonna stay."
"I'm excited," said Sue Beals, a Hollister local and member of the same group. "The people still came."
Some thought it ironic that the city, supposedly reeling after footing $250,000 for last year's rally, could budget nearly $150,000 this year for an event it declined to sponsor.
"This town had a big chance to make some money and blew it," said Mike, also known as 'Tramp,' through a long gray beard in between sips of a Heineken, his dark glasses hiding his eyes from Johnny's patrons. "I think it's dumb."
"I think they done wrong," said Mike Walker, who strolled into Johnny's after riding in from Merced with a group of 68 bikes. "What they did with the vendors ... it's just unfair."
A few bikers, such as Dave MacDougal from Boulder Creek, Calif., were actually content with how the rally unfolded. He wasn't missing the stunt driving nor the tattoo and arm-wrestling contests.
"I think it's nicer this year than last year, I mean, how many T-shirt shops can you have?" he said, lying on his Blue Harley, feet on the handlebars. "And I love the parade," he said, laughing and gesturing to the procession of bikers on San Benito Street.
Other were more concerned with immediate tasks at hand - like winning at pool.
"I beat my old man," said a tan and weathered Chrissie Bellew as she pranced around the pool table at Whiskey Creek, sinking a series of balls. "That's all I care about."
And Romedog: He got more and more comfortable for a good reason: "I don't drink and drive," he said. "Believe it or not, I took a cab into town."
Banks Albach covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335.
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