BORN-FREE TEXAS: MALARY'S FAVORITE CAMPING SETUP

Words by Malary Lee, photos by Rick Spada.

I have always loved motorcycle events that bring all types of people together. This was my second year of Born Free Texas, where I was lucky enough to be asked to participate in Axel’s Hideout; showcasing my 1997 1200 Sportster flat track bike! I was incredibly honored to display my build next to a bunch of other talented women. While unloading my teal flamed tracker, there were bikes rolling in everywhere. But it was hard not to notice all of the rad camp set ups everyone had tailored for the weekend. It almost made it hard to pare down my favorite campsites, which was my assignment for the weekend.

I woke up Saturday to the sounds of engines kicking over and set off on my mini bike to hunt down a collection of the best. From elaborate RV rigs to a few folks spotted sleeping in simplicity swaddled in a sleeping bag in the dirt, it was clear that everyone had their own unique style when it came to roughing it. As someone who is very much into vintage cars and boogie van culture, I was extremely drawn to those camping out of their cars. RVs are convenient but damn, old vans and trucks are COOL! I eventually narrowed it down to a handful of my favorite set-ups.

They say everything is bigger in Texas and that’s true. The campground at the Yellow Rose Canyon is massive. We started off exploring down a secret sandy backroad that I thought surely no bikes without knobby tires were making it down. It spit me out in a massive field where all the party people were tucked away. I found an 80s chevy van with a gullwing door owned by a cool couple. My first van had a gullwing side door as well, so I was instantly drawn to it waving at us from across the way. As the man told us about the van, the woman ushered me away to proudly introduce us to her mini bike with a firefighter sidecar.

As we scooted around the field, we were connected to the swap meet area where parts from the past were scattered across the grass. Something about this old, decrepit school bus here spoke to me. As a fan of horror films, it screamed Jeepers Creepers. The owner was the sweetest man with the best stories and a lot of parts for sale, which he’d hauled to the event in his van. The inside was decked out with checkered black and white kitchen tile. It was clear this van was loved and had lived many lives!

THE DOOM SALOON WASN’T THE ONLY BOOGIE VAN PARKED BELOW. ANOTHER THIRD-GEN WAS HIDING BETWEEN THE TREES. THIS TIME IT WAS A CHEVY G20, ALSO SPORTING BLACK FLAMES DOWN THE SIDE.

Closer to the main attraction area there was a field that dipped down into the valley. I myself had chosen to camp in this spot, because it was easy to access the stage, wall of death and of course, Axel’s Hideout! Others made the same choice as it was packed with vehicular treasures. My eyes instantly turned into hearts when it spotted the *Doom Saloon*. A third-gen Ford that was embellished with all the right things. The hand lettering on the side letting everyone proudly know who she was, the Harley-Davidson license plate, the diamond-pleated dog house cover with the fur dash cover, and the sign inside that said “Let’s Haul Ass” in the most perfect script font were all details I loved. It was clear the owners had put a lot of time into this babe. When we approached the campsite, they were quick to invite us in, excited to share their love of vans, choppers and even some homemade neon green moonshine!

The Doom Saloon wasn’t the only boogie van parked below. Another third-gen was hiding between the trees. This time it was a Chevy G20, also sporting black flames down the side. The van was surrounded by a group of dudes, none the owner of the van itself, but all were captivated by photographer Rick and excited to get their photos taken on the bikes they’d built! We chatted with each about their Sportsters they’d ridden from all over Texas to Born-Free. This conversation reminded me of what I love about motorcycles; you learn so much while teaching yourself how to work on your own bike, and it gives you a creative outlet to express yourself through your ride.

After we were done chatting, they gave us a glimpse at their friend’s van. The black bug shield on the front reading in red, “let the funk ride,” really set the tone for the whole vehicle. The patriot side pipes were perfect and the vintage chevron tow mirrors are something I’ve been excited to put on my own build. The inside was a hidden gem you’d never know from the outside. With a custom airbrushed wall naming the van “The Love Machine”, it had a faux heart bubble window painted and lace lining above the bed. A yellow shag ceiling perfectly matched the paint and the black fur wall divider finished it off. With too many details to list, this van was pretty perfect.

Another van we spotted in the field was a lonely Ford with amazing survivor paint, a roof rack and a custom eagle tire cover. I wished so badly to see the inside, because I knew it would be a time capsule. However, we weren’t able to take a peek. The best part was the bumper sticker hidden between the rails of the ladder campaigning “Snoopy for President”.

THIS IS THE EPITOME OF A PARTY VAN. AT NIGHT IT TRANSFORMED INTO KARAOKE CENTRAL; DOORS OPEN, MIC DRAWN AND MUSIC BLARING. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS RIG!

We saved the biggest for last. Another G series van, this time with a party hat and a real heart shaped bubble window adoring the top. The owner, another Axel’s Hideout invited builder, Chelsea Beckett. Her van is bright red, loud and rad. This giant boasted a custom mural on each side of a powerful woman and her tigers and a custom emblem with the name “Tuff Love”. The inside matches the outside like a dream, with heart dividers, white fur, a tiger skin rug and tiger paintings decorating the walls. This is the epitome of a party van. At night it transformed into karaoke central; doors open, mic drawn and music blaring. I love everything about this rig!

There were too many cool campsites to include, all of which inspired ideas for my own van. Now that Born-Free Texas is over, it's time to get back to the garage to button up my 4-wheeled projects. I'm excited to come back next year sporting my 1975 4x4 Chevy ambulance build with my bikes and seeing what new vehicles pop up!