Ride For Honesty

First an AZ vid recap, from Tom Costanza of Freedom’s Phoenix
🙂

(and a side note, the section of I-40 where the continental divide was had two ten mile construction zones where pedaling through would have been suicidal. As disappointed as I am not getting a Continental Divide pic, I am grateful for the RV assistance past these major obstacles)

I’m sure most of you have seen the vids, and reports, from Vegas.

I will not go into the whole thing, just post pics. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones.

Here is Drew (left) who I first met in Tuscon on the RP ride, and to the right is Tim, who was the PA coordinator for the ride and was kind enough to share his room with me…

We made a classic group picture for Jeff G and all signed it

We went to the CATO party for a bit. Here is Ben (rt) and 4409 (lft)

Spent some time at the booth, here is Andrew Ward who I first met during the Lawson Campaign

My favorite pic, by far, is this

I consider Tom Woods to be a treasure of the r3VOLution. He truly is a grassroot. Even with all his intelligence, degrees, and accomplishments, I cannot detect a single “elitist” bone in his body. He has power, and as we all know, power so easily corrupts, yet this man remains as fun loving and down to earth as a child. An easy smile, a hearty laugh, a firm handshake, all things I like in a man. While there are a few in our movement who I think have let celebrity, and power, get to their heads. Dr. Woods 😉 is not one of them. Long Live Tom Woods!

Speaking of celebrity, people keep calling me one and it is really strange. I’ve resisted the thought. Perhaps I just am cynical, after watching those in our movement who get that “elitist” attitude and don’t want to be associated with such. Or, perhaps I fear the temptation of power that celebrity brings, and I will fall into the same trap. Regardless, I pedaled my way into this position, am here now, and do appreciate you all very much. So I figure I’ll just keep using Tom Woods as a role model, in hopes of remaining as down to earth, and in tune with the true grassroots, as I can be. (and if any of you every notice me being “elitist” please don’t hesitate to let me know – damn, even writing that seems weird…)

Finally here are some videos, from Liberty Rider #3’s channel, for any that are not aware of what Freedom Fest was about.

pedal pedal…

Gallery, Journal, Photos, Video

A trip like this has many layers, many angles to attempt to keep in line. All projects do. Being able to roll with developing events, keeping a “show must go on attitude” is where we win.

I’ve been having trouble getting a blog up. My “routine” has been broken and I am adjusting. I live for this kind of stuff. Yep, some things are hard… good practice, that’s for sure…

I’m lucky to have witnessed the r3VOLution unfold and watched/participated in the manifold attempts of “cat-herding.”  I’ve learned to do as little as possible. I just create some possibilities, put myself out there, welcome who wants to come along, and watch as events unfold.

I learn to adjust. I know that “the best laid plans of mice and men, come to naught, time and again”. So I make a fairly detailed plan, and see where it leads. Often it leads to many WTH moments, but that is where art is born, in spontaneity, in overcoming unforeseen challenges, in leaps of faith.

I have a large imagination. I see ton’s of possibilities that this event enables. Some are being capitalized on, some are not. (This is still a practice run, mind you – haha). What is important is that some are. Active supporters are confidently connecting, the drowsy are being gently awakened, the police are being politely greeted.

All are layers…

Changing from the solitary motel gig, to the 4 guys in a small RV gig is a challenge, it threw my routine, hence the blog delay. But the point is that it must be for the best, and the challenges of adding stomachs and personalities is what is supposed to happen, and it is up to us to make the best of every opportunity that presents itself.  This is r3VOLution. This is for real. This is where the mouse and the human separate. We all know how dicey things are, how much “hangs in the balance” but think of that… the balance.

How much weight does it take to affect a balance? Hmmmm…  an infinitely miniscule amount, I’d imagine… Hmmmmmm… 😉

Anyway, I’m rambling in a RV full of laughing men, here are some pics…

Last post, Phoenix r3v was about…

Ed and I cruised…

for miles

and miles

we entered a new county

fixed more flats

pedal pedal

rest under bridges

talk to people

remember talking of cyclists splayed out on cool concrete

We stood on a corner in Winslow Arizona

Joan was our gracious host (who took a bookset for delivery – ty)

We put up with a lot of wind on a long road

Ed got dusted

we pedaled on

Got to Seligman after a long windy day

Pitched some Liberty

Ed rode my bike

Oyate made a long drive to visit

and we made a short vid

Honored with his visit, glad to have this pic

We cruised town, and Ed got a flat,

got as room with a real shower at an old roadside flophouse

Just the right amount of funk

both inside and out

We woke to grime

and smiling faces

While I had coffee

and did email stuffs

with friends

getting ready

ran into some friends

The r3VOLution continues

because we work at it

what more?

pedal pedal

much aloha

🙂

Journal, Photos, Uncategorized, Video

haha

Video

Some footage Bryan Mayberry shot of Liberty Rider Michael Maresco in Claremore Oklahoma – terrific interview (thanks Bryan!)

Gallery, Journal, Oklahoma, States, Video Bryan Mayberry, Claremore Oklahoma, Freedom to Fascism, Liberty Rider, Michael Maresco, Ride for Honesty

I’m 55 miles out of Jeff City… Hope the rain holds off… Here is a fresh vid… Please help spread it, I’d love to get money off my mind and almost 70% there… (with much thanks and appreciation to those of you who have already joined the ride…)

Journal, Video

This is Joyce, who took care of me like a brother…

Here is Jennifer who was a pleasant surprise on a country road…

And lovely Janet, who accompanied me in to the sheriff

Thanks ladies 🙂

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Gallery, Video