Although on the road for 5 consecutive years now, Joe’s story began long ago…
In 1979 a motorcycle accident laid Joe up in the hospital for two months. While there the profound realization came that life is fragile and could end at any moment. This revelation brought the realization that he’d better squeeze as much riding as humanly possible into whatever time there was left.
But it wasn’t until 1998 that things really began to change.
In that year Joe received a DUI and abruptly quit drinking. The lack of booze provided dramatically more time and money for riding. His old drinking buddies faded away and new friends were needed—preferably riding friends. The International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Campers filled that need. This touring group travels extensively and has learned ways to camp everywhere and for almost nothing. Anyone may join and this group: http://www.ibmc.org/
This new development expanded Joe’s horizons dramatically and would ultimately lead him to the endless highways of the full-time motorcycle drifter.
In time Joe improved upon these inexpensive-campground methods and now often secures camping for as little as $2 a night, and sometimes for free. Therefore Joe’s methods tend to center around the use of campgrounds, but the story does not end there.
As a boy, Joe Sparrow hung around motorcycle shops until one finally gave him a job. Since then his work has almost always centered in the motorcycle industry. For some years now, Joe’s enjoyed a very unique part-time position (mostly because they like him) at J&P Cycles parts distributors. J&P sets up vending booths at all the major biker events around the country; which keeps Joe in motion for the summer’s duration.
This company offers its employees the hotel rooms and other accommodations that Joe enjoys for around 100 days a year. Once free to roam the country at his leisure again, this drifter re-employs his campground expertise or, like the rest of us, simply adapts to whatever adventure the highway God throws his way.
Although Joe’s owned a few Harleys in his day, this serious traveler prefers the very roadworthy Honda Goldwing, and his latest bike, a 2002 model, now shows 378,000 miles on the speedo. As seems to be the norm among nomadic riders, this man sees personally to almost all of his bike’s mechanical needs; for just like all bikes, the Goldwing has not been without its problems.
My dealings with Joe Sparrow have proven him one of the most humble, kind, and giving people I’ve known. This natural quality has inspired ongoing expansion among the many who already call him friend across this great nation and Canada too. I genuinely look forward to the next time our paths cross.
If you’d like make contact, or just follow Joe Sparrow’s exploits, then please friend him at Facebook or Twitter .
About the IBMC
The International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Campers is a family-oriented, non-brand-specific club composed of a very diverse group of people who have one thing in common: we like to ride and camp. We ride Hondas, Kawasakis, Suzukis, Yamahas, BMWs, Harleys, Guzzis, and Triumphs. We can be found camping in everything from expensive motorcycle camping trailers to $29 Wal-Mart tents. We tour on big highway bikes, scooters, and everything in between.
Members decide when and where they want to have a campout, and post the details on our web site; they’re also available in our bimonthly newsletter, The Campfire Ring. When the date arrives, people show up. There may be three campers or sixty-three. We have a saying in our club: “It only takes two people to make a campout.” We have campouts planned this year in every corner of the country, and a full three seasons of camping. Our members hold their campouts in campgrounds ranging from the very primitive to those offering full services.
The cost for joining the club is $15, which includes everyone in the household. For this you get six issues of The Campfire Ring, a yearly IBMC Handbook, listing all of the members, a membership card, and assorted goodies. If you are interested in becoming a member, please print, fill out the Membership Form, and send it along with a check or money order to:
The IBMC
PO Box 24
South Fork, CO 81154
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