Life in an MC isn't always easy, and weak women don't last very long. Either I've managed to find the most empowered, independent women in the whole MC world, or women are far more critical to the survival of a club than anyone is willing to admit.

But almost every woman I've talked to has told me that she, personally - unlike most women attached to clubs - talks to her man about all kinds of things.

One thing that I've found fascinating is that they all say it's a man's world, and that the men make the decisions. Joanna: I've talked to a lot of women around the country, in a range of clubs. They send the women next door, because they know if s*** goes down, the women need to be on the outside to bail (them) out of jail. The club has the house next door, too, and there's a gate between the backyards. We've had a couple of times at the clubhouse when there's been word that things might be happening. We take care of things like food for club events, welcome visitors, and the guys know that if something were to happen, we'd have their backs. And, yes, I am an old lady, and I do wear a property patch. I've been around clubs since I was 18 years old, and I've been with my old man for 14 years. The guys where I live (in the South) are more laid-back than the guys up North, but they can be just as hardcore as they need to be when it counts. And how hardcore they are varies by location. Lori: Yes, my club is hardcore, but you have to remember that it's not my club - it's my man's club. Would you describe your club as hardcore, Lori? What role do the women have in your club? Are you a biker's 'old lady'? For one thing, everyone has a family - even hardcore bikers - and I'd bet that most of those guys clean it up a bit when they visit their grandmothers.' Despite that, women definitely have roles within the club. The levels of that sexism vary from club to club and there are even clubs that let women ride with the men, but for the majority it's about the men and their bikes. The Reapers MC is patriarchal, a 'man's world.' I asked Joanna about women the MC culture when we spoke last year, and she said, 'There is no question that the MC world is sexist. Lea: Ruger is easy to love, isn't he, Lori?

Reaper's Property by Joanna Wylde