The people of the mountains of Western North Carolina have never taken kindly to folks trying to run their lives. I took another wild ride through the land of my grandfathers. This time I really expected to get a ticket for refusing to wear a helmet. To increase my odds of a ticket I rode through several small towns in addition to the city of Asheville. I reckon the old ways of the mountains are still alive and well; I rode through Lake Lure three times without a lid past the usual speed traps to no avail.
While I could not find a helmet ticket I did manage to have a lot of fun and take a lot of photos of water falls and other sights to be seen. I also had a chance to rub elbows with other curious Carolina bikers; I suspect a few more of them will join ABATE. After riding lidless back and forth through Lake Lure a few times curious bikers started asking for the ABATE newsletters I've created habit of bringing to Margaritagille; they greedily snatched them up. I reckon Crazy Horse's tactic of riding in front of the enemy's lines has something to be said for it; I suggest you give it a try.
Pearsons Falls near Saluda, North Carolina |
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Shunkawauken Falls near Columbus, NC |
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Western North Carolina Freedom Ride |
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Fishtop in the Green River Cove |
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ABATE of SC Laurens Chapter Meeting |
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Live life on your feet instead of your knees; if you let other people tell you what to do you will never be free. Besides a little civil disobedience is fun!
~FastFred
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.
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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