Edward Winterhalder, or Connecticut Ed as he is known to his former Bandido brothers, has traveled an interesting road. Adopted as a child, Winterhalder had what many would likely consider a typical youth for a motorcycle club member; dropping out of school, involvement in drugs and petty crimes. What is somewhat interesting is that it took Winterhalder so long to fall into the world of the 1% biker club.
“Out In Bad Standings†is the term used to describe former members of the Bandidos who have been effectively excommunicated from the group. Club members are forbidden to associate with ex-Bandidos who are “Out In Bad Standings.†The book details Winterhalder’s journey from troubled youth, to motorcycle club prospect, to National Office in one of the largest motorcycle clubs in the world. Along the way Winterhalder struggles to raise his daughter on his own, start and run a variety of profitable businesses (among them a record label and a construction company), establish Bandidos chapters in the U.S. and Canada, travel the world in support of the Bandidos and fight what he believes to be the scourge of the 1%’er community; methamphetamine.
Winterhalder’s story is told in a detailed first-person narrative. The level of detail is impressive. One suspects that Winterhalder must have kept a journal to have such complete recall of dates, names, and events; some bordering on trivial. Published by yet another of Winterhalder’s own businesses, Blockhead City Press, the book is not a case study in perfect prose. It is written in a way that reflects the plain-spoken personality of the author and pays little attention to the fine details of grammar; relying instead on its frankness to get its point across.
If you have ever been curious about the inner workings of a 1% biker club, this book is a primer told by the real deal. Winterhalder has lived it all and survived to tell the tale. From dealing with the slayings of numerous friends and associates to his one-on-one battle with former Bandidos National and International President George Wegers, Winterhalder has seen much and shares it all.
The Mammoth Book Of BikersDrawing on 17 years of studying and participating in biker culture, Arthur Veno, has compiled the ultimate collection of original biker writing. Here are insider accounts of landmark incidents in bike folklore, plus reprints of classic writings from biker-originated magazines, handouts, websites, and books. Gangs featured include the Bandidos, Hells Angels, Henchmen MC, the Outlaws, the Mongols, Annihilators, the Diablos, Gypsy Jokers, the Rebels, the Straight Satans, and the Vagos.
Contributors include Freewheelin' Frank (one-time secretary of Hells Angels), Edward Winterhalder (among the most powerful members of the Bandidos), and Sonny Barger (founder of the Hells Angels). Also included are those rare accounts by outsiders who have managed successfully to "look in" on the gangs: including Hunter S. Thompson in his Hell's Angels--A Strange and Terrible Modern Saga; William Queen, the undercover agent who infiltrated America's violent outlaw motorcycle gang the Mongols; and Daniel R. Wolf's account of riding with the Rebels.