It’s an annual spring event that conjures up contrasting images of leather-clad roughnecks sipping tea from the good china, pinkies extended, milling around the finely appointed rooms of the governor’s mansion.

Few members of the United Bikers of Maine actually balanced cups and saucers during this year’s Motorcycle Awareness Month Bikers’ Tea, seeming to prefer mugs of coffee or cans of soda.

But their dress included chaps, caps and plenty of fringe, in contrast to the suits and ties of the governor and other state officials.

One of the bikers, Denise Harkness of Dixfield, was no exception. In addition to her jacket, pants and boots, even her Stetson-type hat was made of leather.

A blue wolf is tattooed above her right breast, symbolizing freedom and independence.

That’s why she rides a motorcycle, she said.

But for this event, she left her Suzuki GT 650 parked at home. She drove her pickup truck to the tea in order to accommodate her husband, Wayne, who left his Honda Rebel and black leathers at home, opting for a red felt suit instead (overdressed for the season, he ducked out periodically to cool off and smoke a cigar.)

His Santa Claus outfit served as a reminder of one of UBM’s various missions: to supply underprivileged kids with toys at Christmas.

“People think all we do is raise hell,” Instead, Denise Harkness said, they raise money, a lot of it.

Governor on board

Another goal of the UBM is to raise awareness about the presence of motorcycles on Maine’s roads and to educate motorcycle riders about safety.

Baldacci, who is rumored to have included buying a Harley Davidson someday as one of his campaign promises, did in fact take one of the group’s safety courses. On Thursday, a bus (kind of a classroom on wheels) rolled up outside the Blaine House and he climbed aboard.

What’s in a name?

During the press conference portion of the tea, most of Maine’s other public officials got into the act by addressing the group or sending an envoy. All made an effort to show solidarity with the two-wheelers. Not all succeeded.

While reading a letter from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, an aide had trouble getting the group’s name right, first calling it the United Bakers of Maine, and later referring to it as the United Bankers of Maine.

Quote of the week:

“Garlic rules.” – Gov. John Baldacci told event organizer Stephanie Reid to quote him in her introduction of him at the 16th annual Bikers Tea for the United Bikers of Maine. Reid, also of Italian ancestry, said she was thrilled to include his quote.

– Staff writer Christopher Williams covers the State House for the Sun Journal