“Born in Jersey City. Moved to New Brunswick when I was 8,” writes Paul Rearden, aka Pulsating Paula, whose photographs of New Jersey bikers in the 1980s and 1990s seep with authenticity and fun. “Got married to my first lay in 1973. 10 years later he bought me a camera, a Canon AE1. I still have it. Started taking photos of biker parties and tattoo events. Sent them into ‘Biker Lifestyle’ magazine who later Paisano publications took over. They came out with ‘Tattoo’ magazine first of it’s kind ever. Between the Biker and Tattoo magazines I had thousands of photos published. The 10 minute set up of my photography studio consisted of 2 flood lights that burnt the shit out of any poor person in front of them, and a 6×9 foot black cloth I got from Kmart that was tacked onto a wall. Never considered myself professional ever. I just loved doing it with every fiber in my body. I know the wonderful people I met and places I been in this journey will live on forever in my photographs. I’m so glad I was there with you.”

“On my tombstone they will carve, “IT NEVER GOT FAST ENOUGH FOR ME.” ― Hunter S. Thompson, Kingdom of Fear: Loathsome Secrets of a Star-Crossed Child in the Final Days of the American Century

“In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming” ― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

If you see me flashing by

Do not stop me, do not try

‘Cause I’m a motorcycle man

I get my kicks just when I can

– Motocyle Man, Saxon

There goes ezy

Ezy ryder

Ridin down the highway of desire

He says the free wind

Takes him higher

Tryin to find his heaven above

But he’s dyin to be loved

Ezy Ryder, Jimi Hendrix

The river flows

It flows to the sea

Wherever that river goes

That’s where I want to be

Flow river flow

Let your waters wash down

Take me from this road

To some other town

– Ballad of Easy Rider, Roger McGuinn

I’m runnin’,

I’m runnin’, I’m runnin’

Down the proud highway

Yeah, I’m runnin’,

I’m runnin’, I’m runnin’

Down the proud highway

And as long as I keep movin’

I won’t need a place to stay.

– Motorcycle Mama, Neil Young

If you get lonely on your daddy’s farm,

Just remember I don’t live too far…

There’s a red bridge across the bay-yea.

You can be at my place in less than a day!

So get on your bad motor scooter and ride!

Come over to my place and stay all night.

First thing in the morning we’ll be feeling all right!

All right! All right! All right!

– Bad Motor Scooter, Montrose

Get your motor runnin’

Head out on the highway

Lookin’ for adventure

And whatever comes our way

Yeah Darlin’ go make it happen

Take the world in a love embrace

Fire all of your guns at once

And explode into space

Born To Be Wild, Steppenwolf

All photos by Paula Reardon