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ABATE of SC Coordinator Report

Fast Fred Rafts & Travels

Fast Fred is a wandering guide enjoying endless summers and sharing adventure along the way.
I began writing these motorcycle pages of articles, photos, and trips during 2000.

ABATE of SC Coordinator Report

Written by FastFred Ruddock on March 9, 2007

I am happy to report both Dennis a.k.a. Dennis and Bad Bob seem to be healing quite nicely. However both of them have long roads to recovery ahead so please keep the thoughts, prayers, and good will coming. I feel as if I have been pulling double if not triple shifts as I prepare for my day in court, fulfilling my ABATE duties, and working another 40 hours a week to pay the bills. My day in court to fight the NC G.S. 20-140.4(A) helmet use law is just days away on Thursday March 15th as I sit here and write.

I am sure you are all aware of the dangers presented by the current SC gang bill though the call alert and our last newsletter. While we all know the youth gang problem needs to be addressed we must be careful not to allow any erosion of our constitutional rights. Remember the words of wisdom from Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Please act today to preserve your liberty and that of future generations.

Since my last report I have spent many hours, traveled many miles, and attended several meetings on your behalf as your coordinator. I met with even more bikers and recruited more than a few new members. However I saw even more of our members out and about recruiting: in particular I’d like to thank Walter publicly for his many efforts on our behalf.

During my travels and efforts I attended the first ever Western District meeting held in Asheville with our friends just across the border from Greenville and Spartanburg. We discussed several common issues including lack of involvement by average bikers in the Upstate and WNC. I was made aware of a group in the Upstate that is apparently violating ABATE’s copyright and causing problems in both of the Carolinas for our biker rights groups.

I took a cold wet ride the day after the Western District meeting; I rode in cold rain to appointments in Spartanburg before taking another soggy ride to the Greenville ABATE meeting I had been invited to attend. I was impressed by the number of bikers that attended this meeting in spite of the cold rain and nasty conditions. The meeting was worth the nasty ride and a lot of great information was shared by Scott, Bob, and others present. As an added treat I got to see Marty an old friend from Southern Lowcountry.

Our March legislative meeting was a huge success and well attended; seems many bikers would rather attend our legislative meeting instead of Daytona’s Bike Week. Legislative Team members such as Frankie, Jeff, Barbie, Ralph, Roach, and Screwy collaborated to collect information and create useful handouts. Barbie was also hard at work during the meeting taking notes. I really enjoyed this meeting and encourage you to attend the next legislative meeting.

Finally I attended a public Oyster Roast closer to home to help promote ABATE. Andrea and Walter worked together to get a table at Vickery's Oyster Roast and recruit new members. Other members showed up to help in various ways. All together about a dozen ABATE members worked this event in one way or another. Andrea managed to get most of us in for free to help work the crowds. This single event resulted in quite a few new members and even some renewals.

Photos and articles from many of these events are available for viewing at BikerEzine.com. I look forward to see everybody’s smiling faces at our April business meeting which will be brief so we can all ride in support of Bad Bob and attend his benefit at Anthony’s following our meeting.

Fast Fred Ruddock with a Helmet Ticket in Polk County North Carolina

About Fast Fred

My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.

My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.

On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.

My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.

Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.

My Other Adventures

I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.

Raft with me: Check out Fast Fred Rafts for details.

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