Rat Patrol
This article is about the bicycle club. For the American TV show, see The Rat Patrol.The
Rat Patrol is a
trash and
chopper club which began in 1999 in
Chicago, and now also has chapters in
Ghana;
New Orleans;
Ross-on-Wye,
England;
Canberra,
Australia;
Tanzania;
Nashville,
Tennessee; and
Lafayette,
Louisiana.
Members of the Rat Patrol are dumpster-divers who get around on modified bicycles, such as
tall bikes,
choppers, or other unique designs that they have welded themselves. A typical "Rat Ride" consists of riding through alleys at night,
dumpster diving, and
drinking. Many of the members have adopted a semi-"ratty" appearance, using clothing found in dumpsters and many colorful patches. Their bikes are also relatively "ratty" in appearance and condition, resulting in the occasional broken chain, tire, or weld.
St. Ratrick's Day is the official Rat Patrol "holiday", which consists of
biking, races,
tallbike jousting, parade crashing, tv smashing, contests, and
drinking. It takes place during St. Patrick's Day week.
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Rat Patrol website
