HARLEY-DAVIDSON CHOPPER MAGIC AT BORN-FREE TEXAS

Sit next to the right person at the Red Thorn Club, a bar that sits atop a hill overlooking the main area of Born-Free Texas, and you’ll hear a legendary tale about chopper magic and the free spirit of Yellow Rose Canyon. According to the legend, this very site (once called The Crater) isn’t new to motorcycle gatherings at all.

“Back in the 70’s, you know, Willie Nelson used to play here on that stage and there would be all kinds of motorcycles and debauchery,” a grizzled older gentleman tells me while sitting at the bar, pointing to a giant lit up Texas flag on the opposite side of the giant land divot, reminding the guests of where they are. “That’s his tour bus right there,” he says while motioning towards a red, white, and blue tour bus next to the stage, “I can’t tell you all the crazy activities that used to happen here, but you can still read about it,” he says to me. Another fella takes a sip of beer and nods affirmingly. As it turns out, he’s right.

They call it The Bowl now, and it’s where most of the custom built and attendee-ridden bikes park for the multi-day event we now know as Born-Free Texas. The geography of the massive crater is striking and unique from the POV of the Red Thorn Club atop the hill. A large circular “bowl” of green grass with steep sloping walls that lead up to a row of themed-out cabins that was formed by an asteroid, or water run-off, or aliens, depending on who’s telling the story.

Nowadays, I see a much more family-friendly atmosphere of every generation gathering to ride motorcycles, camp, watch some choppers drag race, rock out with some bands, and hang out with friends and strangers alike. There are feral kids playing in every direction. Ok, maybe they aren’t feral, but there isn’t a tablet or phone in their hands. They’re playing in the dirt or riding a pocket bike across a field. This is a huge property with expansive fields, woodsy trails, a swimmin’ hole, and pockets all over where one can do as they please as long as they don’t impose on others. There is a sense of freedom here that is very hard to find today. At any point in the weekend, you can set up a tent anywhere on the property, ride your Harley-Davidson through some trails, and stop to meet new people that share the same obsessive feelings towards motorcycles. Call it chopper magic.

Some arrive on Wednesday, more on Thursday, and then Friday through Sunday activities are planned throughout the property. There are things here that I don’t think happen anywhere else on Earth. Maybe it’s that chopper magic at work. Late Saturday night we found ourselves following a lit path through the woods that opened into a clearing where we found Danger Dan’s art show. A collection of all types of art mediums that shared the same themes: motorcycles. Someone made a giant clay art display that featured a 70’s motorcycle scene complete with bikes, vans, and a dude sleeping outside under the moon. Huge prints of motorcycle scenes hung on the trees. Art surrounded the perimeter of the area while the middle ground was full of people browsing and involved in conversation. It made me wonder what kinds of things happened in that very spot over 50 years ago, but best to not incriminate anyone. Laughs are common around here; you’re going to find that no matter where you are on site.

This year, Harley-Davidson did a little something extra special and released a brand-new, limited-edition boot collab with White’s Boots of Spokane, Washington. These handmade-in-America beauties were seen all over the event and surely got their break-in miles done on the endless trails around the property.

Let’s face it, Born-Free Texas is all about the bikes. It’s why everyone is there. Any day you decide to attend, you’re going to see a priceless and flawless chopper build next to a clapped-out sportster with dirt tires. There are a lot of local builds here, too, with several Texans showing off what they've been up to since last year. It’s a chopper show, no doubt, but there’s also a huge gathering of FXRs, new custom Harleys, trikes, and more pit bikes than you can shake a stick at. Getting around the sprawling site is a challenge if you don’t have something with a motor and wheels, and everyone seems to have something to whip around. Ride whatever you brought, once again there’s freedom in the air. Call it chopper magic.

If you want to be entertained, you’ll find it here. Chopper drag racing through dirt is a must-see event. The Ives Brothers Wall of Death show is an exciting new spin on the historic art of death-defying stunts. There are countless bands playing on stages scattered throughout the land, day and night. There’s a full bar. I’ve seen temporary full-size swimming pools erected here over the years and be gone overnight. Awards are handed out to the best of the best bike builders. There’s a chicken and waffles food truck outside the bar that is to die for. It rained hard for about 2 hours on Saturday, but the sun came back out, and the vibe never dipped. Call it chopper magic.

Back to a recurring theme: freedom. Go where you want on site. Bring and ride what you want. Go to sleep when you want. Wake up when you want. Make new friends or stick to yourself. Anything goes if you aren’t infringing upon the fun being had by others. It’s rare to find that these days.

Is it the spirit of all who attended the gathering back in the 70’s? Are we all being summoned back to a place that has always been meant for motorcycles and is alive once again? What was in that asteroid? Are the aliens among us? Was the guy at the bar even real? I sit here writing this overlooking the Bowl long after most of the bikes and tents have left. The air is still buzzing from the weekend’s action; it’s just much quieter now. There’s a lingering feeling of excitement which can only be translated one way: The Bowl wants us to come back next year. Call it chopper magic. Call it Born-Free Texas.