Once you get past the leather jackets and vests, the bandanas, tattoos, beards and ponytails -- and the initial shock of the organization's name -- members of the UMFA are just regular guys that occasionally hang in a group.
"A men's social organization," says Utah's acting president, Eddy Julius, of West Valley City. ... Guys looking for an excuse to have fun."
UMFA is a group for motorcycle enthusiasts, with chapters throughout the country. The name stands for Ugly Mother--- --- of America.
Utah members participated in a five-stop excursion on Sunday, starting at the Lonestar Saloon in West Valley City and proceeding to Heber, Lehi and Murray. Participants played hands of poker at each stop.
On motorcycles that cost typically between $15,000 and $25,000, UMFA members ride for enjoyment, and to raise money for charity.
They range in age from 30 to 70, with patches on their vests often providing a hint of that particular member's vintage.
Asked about his patch commemorating those killed in action or still missing in Vietnam, Jim Bryant, of Riverton, said, "I still have a few friends over there."
Julius has been a UMFA member since the creation of a Utah chapter 19 years ago. The national organization was founded in 1982 in San Diego, according to www.uglys.org. There are 25 UMFA chapters nationwide, including five in Utah: Salt Lake City, Ogden, Richfield, Orem and Magna.
"It's fun," Julius said. "That's our main objective: have fun. But it's also an opportunity to get out and meet people with the same interests you have."
Nobody in the organization seems concerned that its name might be offensive to outsiders.
"If nothing else," Julius said, "we get a lot of recognition and a few laughs."
He added that the club alters its name once a year, when members deliver gifts to hospitalized children.
"We become the Utah Motorcycle Foundation when we do our toy run," Julius said. "We don't want to offend any local church people, even though they know who we are."
UMFA members come from all walks of life.
"A lot of blue collar guys," Julius said. "But we also have a lawyer or two in our crowd."
Most newcomers join because family members or friends recruit them. But membership is given only after a "process" that Brian Barker compares to rookie hazing on a pro sports team.
"You have to do whatever anybody says," he explained. "And they have a lot of fun with it. ... I ran for a lot of beers and cleaned a lot of toilets. But it's worth it. This is a brotherhood and I have a lot of good brothers."
UMFA members stress that appearances can be misleading.
"Some people are a little scared of riders," said Edward Hernandez, of Salt Lake City. "But we're just a bunch of good guys. I suppose there are some bad ones out there. But there are a lot more good ones than bad ones."
Gary Shelton, of Magna, says most UMFA members like to have a drink or two on the weekend, but they don't indulge during UMFA-sponsored rides.
Sometimes even nonmembers participate in UMFA events.
Williams Badger, of Salt Lake City, showed up at the Lonestar Saloon on a three-wheeler.
"I don't even know the name of this group," he said. "I just know it's a nice day. My daughter called me and said, 'There's a run today.' And I said, 'Cool.' "
Despite riding without any lifelong UMFA friends, Badger was thrilled to be part of the group for one day.
"You have the wind in your face and breeze at your knees," he said. "But I think I'll fall back on the old cliché: 'If you have to explain it, you won't understand. And if you understand, you won't have to explain it.' "
