LibertyRide - A Grassroots Journ3y

Wow, Michael. Great post.

Oklahoma City was, last I heard, the second largest city in the nation. That sprawling nature makes it, like most cities in this part of the nation, less crowded than some, but that has drawbacks too--the agressive cut-and-thrust of rush hour happens at higher speeds. I think Oklahoma is somewhat a mixed blessing--we are seldom kind to pedestrians--but drivers seemed awfully kind to us in, for example, the narrow confines of Catoosa. I think your rig fires their curiosity, and that takes the edge off their hurry.

You didn't mention my least favorite. Storm drain grates! The new ones have bars that run perpendicular to the direction of travel. It might shake your fillings loose like a bad chatterstrip, but the old ones with parallel bars will grab your wheel like a vise and send you flying. How you manage with four wheels is beyond me.

And, yes, the heat. The dog days are certainly upon us. But at least the sauna mode after the monsoon season has more or less passed, though the extra heat can indeed make up for it. I always found I could take the expansion joints of concrete just to avoid the heatwave that asphalt radiates day and night...

Well, you're in the flatlands now. God's Billiard Table. No significant hills until Tucumcari. Like red dirt country? Out nearer Amarillo I always found the landscape kind of Christmasy. You have green grass growing from red dirt. Throw in a little snow-colored rock and it's surprisingly colorful.

Happy pedaling, Iron Man. Wish I had the time and the endurance to still be riding with...

Ron Paul Forums, Sen. Brogdon only has one primary opponent in the race for governor and it's winnable. Not easy, but winnable. We need to support him. http://www.randybrogdon.com/ and http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=189483

QFT!! And that primary opponent is none other than bailout voter Rep. Mary Fallin--gag! We've got a tough fight to beat the b****. We'll be beating the street, but we'll be needing all the help we can get. Randy is indeed a good one; he's much, much better than the sitting Democrat Brad Henry. If Fallin wins, I'll probably vote to reelect Henry. Fallin and Brogdon are night and day. Thanks for the plug, Njon!
 
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And I've started getting donations from Iraq . A bit overwhelming and gives me great strength.

Wow. God bless 'em. Stay safe, soldiers, sailors, flyboys and Marines. Thank you so much. And watch that heat yourselves...

By the way, Michael, you're not in Pennsylvania any more. Out here a steak sandwich is a highly tenderized veal cutlet, breaded like chicken, fried, and dressed as a hamburger. When that heat seeps out of your bones in the evening and that deep hunger seeps in behind it, try one! :p:cool:
 
Wow. God bless 'em. Stay safe, soldiers, sailors, flyboys and Marines. Thank you so much. And watch that heat yourselves...

By the way, Michael, you're not in Pennsylvania any more. Out here a steak sandwich is a highly tenderized veal cutlet, breaded like chicken, fried, and dressed as a hamburger. When that heat seeps out of your bones in the evening and that deep hunger seeps in behind it, try one! :p:cool:

mmmm... sounds good :)

[h2]Last Day in Oklahoma[/h2]
June 23rd, 2009
And I sure am glad I came. These folk down here are at the front of the pack and driving hard. Many and much mahalo to all who came down to say hi, helped out, and rode with me for quite a few miles. Y’all have a great state full of decent people. Weathered faces with easy smiles and all glad to hear my message. I absolutely love using something like the following, “and this here grassroots group is lobbying congress hard to audit the federal reserve… (you know they ain’t really federal and reserves is bit of a stretch, as well), anyway, we figure that there is the vipers nest, itself. And if we audit it, it’ll all become clear how they’ve been robbing us blind. Then, we can get rid of ‘em like we have twice before in US History… ”

Everyone seems to respond well to the “vipers nest” bit; had one guy give me the ol’ “good luck-haha” - till I told him we were up to 220 co-sponsors (237 as I write
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wonder what kind of sneaky tricks they are thinking up… ) That made em think for a bit…
Anyway, OK was more than OK. Thanks
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Pedaling today was hot, but with a slight tailwind, quite a relief from the last week or so of headwinds
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Above, I am on a frontage road, cooling off under an overpass. Had a curious experiance under an interstate overpass today. I was taking a break when an old white pickup pulled over and backed toward me. I got up to say hi. The old man asked what I was up to, I gave him the spiel, he asked if he could buy me a soda at the nearby store, I declined saying thanks, but I have water and did not want to pedal off the interstate. Then… he asked me if, “I play around?” OMG - I was hit on by a dirty old man at an interstae rest area, (albiet, not an offical rest area, but still). I politely declined, and walked away, shaking my head… strange… The girls on Facebook are all teasing me about being cute, and how I should be flattered (grrrrr… - lol) When hotties start pulling over for me on the interstate, then I’ll be more agreeable… haha

Had a couple construction issues today
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Never a good sign… Having a lane closed is one thing, being closed to standard wide loads means something entirely different. I pedaled up to it to find major overpass work and tiny lanes. If I had to I could have timed the traffic, turned up the volume, and pedaled like the hounds of hell were behind me for the short distances involved, but luckily there was a frontage road that turned into a great detour.
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It started out a bit rough, took a few chances (rather than fire up the computer for a detailed look at the dilemna), asked a few locals, and found a route not all that much longer, nor very much rougher, and only a bit hillier. What was cool about it was it turned into a historic section of 66 that had the original on one side of me, the “Historic” that I was on, and the interstate on the other side of me. Three generations in parellel…

Even better, the road was hardly travelled, and with the tailwind I had gotten almost 50miles from 1 battery, had 10miles to go with 2 full batts, so turned up the juice and flew the last few miles. I still havent really opened it up, (without ground support, don’t want to take any chances and am gentle with the rig…), but I really love the upgrades on this bike. I hopen to get around to a post dedicated to the rig, one of these days…

Pedaling here in the open west gives me planty time to think, and one of the things I’ve been thinking about regards a sticker on my bike.The one below the RP signature one that say’s, “Classical Liberal”

Ya know, one of the prime ways our country has been stolen from us is the corruption and misuse of language, words. It really is that simple. Take the word “liberal” for example. The people using it are certainly not liberal, in the classic sense. In fact, they are quite the opposite and giving the term a bad name. And on the supposedly other side we have the neo-cons using it like the ultimate insult. So basically, both supposed sides of the virtual aisle are giving true liberals a bad name. In other words, they are giving liberty lovers a bad name. Us!!!

I think we should take it back from them. They took it from us, no reason we can’t take it back…

“I am a liberal”, a conservative one, at that…

haha

Oh yeah, an OK Deputy surprised me with a second star …
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pedal pedal
 
hahahaha...you got hit on by an old dude on the interstate

"Hey there feller...wants some candy? Just reach into my pocket and take it" --- in dirty old man voice

You are certainly right about the misuse of terms like liberal and conservative. Hope you straighten some of those folks out!
 
It hasn't hit the online version of the paper yet. I'll post a link if and when it does. But, in the meantime, here's a preview (sans photos) of the Claremore Daily Progress article:

Liberty Rides On

J. Blythe Ammons

CLAREMORE DAILY PROGRESS


“Give me Liberty or give me death,” are the infamous words of Patrick Henry. It is for liberty that cross country cyclist, Michael Maresco, says he rides. He began his journey at the Statue of Liberty and will finish at Alcatraz Island. Along the way, Maresco stopped in Claremore on Thursday to visit with local lawmen and to share his message. Maresco met with Undersheriff Tom Harrison and Captain Michael McElhaney to discuss government concerns. Maresco convenes with county officers, because the Sheriff holds an elected position. He says it is a mandated office upheld by the United States Constitution.

“We are facing serious problems in this country everyone knows that, but the solutions are simple and contained in the constitution,” said Maresco. “One serious problem is business interests in bed with government interests. When corporations and government marry, that is the historical definition of fascism.”

Maresco says he is not a bicyclist. He peddles on to gain attention for the cause. He rides through storms and sunshine, hot and cold, morning and evening. A few stops along the way have put him in good company and bad, but he pushes on and keeps promoting.

When Maresco pays a visit to sheriffs, he gives them a stack of reading material. One book he hands out is Freedom Under Siege by Congressman Ron Paul.

The Texas representative is calling for an audit of the Federal Reserve with the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, HR 1207. Congressman Paul wants to expose where money is being spent. He says the United States has a $9.3 trillion obligation and that he can’t get straight answers from the treasury department. In addition, the Federal Reserve has locked books.

The bill is co-sponsored by over half of the members of the House of Representatives and still gaining support. Oklahoma Representative Frank D. Lucas is listed as a co-sponsor.

There is a companion bill for the senate called The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act, sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders.

The philosophy of liberty embraces an appropriate amount of government authority. It says when government oversteps its boundary, and expands its power past constitutional limits, then freedom recedes. When government operates as it was constitutionally intended, people are free to produce and keep the fruit of their labor.

Maresco said over-taxation and over-regulation are infringing on Americans. He calls some national leaders tyrants for their conduct.

“Tyrannical people got a hold of our economy and that is why our economy is crashing. Top officials in this country are beholding special interests.”

He calls for Americans to work together and to stand up for freedom.

“When looking back we don’t want to say why didn’t we do anything.”

To track Mareso’s progress, go to libertyrider.com


She says it got a full page! She also said PBS was in town to do a show on the effect Will Rogers has had on journalism in the U.S. Watch for it!
 
[comments :D interspersed-rph]

It hasn't hit the online version of the paper yet. I'll post a link if and when it does. But, in the meantime, here's a preview (sans photos) of the Claremore Daily Progress article:

Liberty Rides On

J. Blythe Ammons

CLAREMORE DAILY PROGRESS


“Give me Liberty or give me death,” are the infamous words of Patrick Henry. It is for liberty that cross country cyclist, Michael Maresco, says he rides. ...

“We are facing serious problems in this country everyone knows that, but the solutions are simple and contained in the constitution,” said Maresco. “One serious problem is business interests in bed with government interests. When corporations and government marry, that is the historical definition of fascism.” :D

When Maresco pays a visit to sheriffs, he gives them a stack of reading material. One book he hands out is Freedom Under Siege by Congressman Ron Paul. :confused:

The Texas representative is calling for an audit of the Federal Reserve with the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, HR 1207. Congressman Paul wants to expose where money is being spent. He says the United States has a $9.3 trillion obligation and that he can’t get straight answers from the treasury department. In addition, the Federal Reserve has locked books. :D

The bill is co-sponsored by over half of the members of the House of Representatives and still gaining support. Oklahoma Representative Frank D. Lucas is listed as a co-sponsor.

There is a companion bill for the senate called The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act, sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders. :cool:

The philosophy of liberty embraces an appropriate amount of government authority. It says when government oversteps its boundary, and expands its power past constitutional limits, then freedom recedes. When government operates as it was constitutionally intended, people are free to produce and keep the fruit of their labor. <DING DING DING> we have a winner!!! - haha :)

Maresco said over-taxation and over-regulation are infringing on Americans. He calls some national leaders tyrants for their conduct. :D

“Tyrannical people got a hold of our economy and that is why our economy is crashing. Top officials in this country are beholding special interests.”

He calls for Americans to work together and to stand up for freedom. :)

“When looking back we don’t want to say why didn’t we do anything.”

To track Mareso’s progress, go to libertyrider.com


She says it got a full page! She also said PBS was in town to do a show on the effect Will Rogers has had on journalism in the U.S. Watch for it!

haha - money alone can't buy that kind of (full page:D) messaging, and neither can one man, Everyone who helped in anyway shares in, what I consider, a successful stop in Claremore OK. :) //

Acptulsa, you nailed it with a simple phone call, THANK YOU!!!
 
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[h2]Slow Connection/Quick Post[/h2]
June 25th, 2009 Goto comments Leave a comment Edit

I am in Alanreed TX. Pop-53. Am posting through a 1x connection on my phone so will be brief.


Crossing a border is always cool
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You can see some touristas taking pictures as well. As soon as I got this shot, I pedaled up and pitched them, so basically started working Texas as soon as I arrived - haha.


There were no county seats on the route, but Shamrock TX has a sub-station that I detoured to and met a real Texas Lawman
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We had a long conversation. He was raised a Democrat and feels his party left him, like I feel the GOP left me. He thinks the radicals, on both sides, are in charge and wonders if they are trying to provoke a violent scenario. He thought I was Libertarian, at first, and didn’t care for third parties (”spoilers”) I came back with some history of parties in this country and the “lessor of two evils is still evil” philosophy. I explained how I had always leaned right, but that I had usually given my top ticket votes to the LP rather than vote for, what I considered evil. That got him thinking. All in all a great stop


There is a Rt66 Landmark in Shamrock
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I wish I had time to GIMP out the wires…


Pedaling was pretty smooth, slight tailwinds and mostly good surfaces… Ran into one section of full shoulder rumblestrips that rattled me until I could get off onto a frontage road. Got back on later and it was less severe. On the frontage road I saw this whimsical spread
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Also, had some interesting conversations at truckstops. You meet all kinds out here…


pedal pedal
 
Don't let that Texas heat give you double vision.

And, yes, from his free thinking mind to the Stetson that shades it, that is a real Texas lawman. Hope to heaven he's not a dying breed...
 
Changing countryside

June 26th, 2009


Have left the trees behind, wide open spaces. Still green, but the canyons are starting. Climbed all day, low grade, but still…


Mostly interstate, had one section where the shoulder was all beat up and rattling my cage, so I checked for snakes and dragged the rig off onto the frontage road. The Frontage Roads are always a crap-shoot, they sometimes veer and tie in with crossroads, sending me miles further than necessary. Often they are a rough surface. They, also, usually go around the luxurious shade of the overpasses… But sometimes they are fairly smooth, and it is nice to be able to ride in the middle of the road, far from the debris, tooling along…


Speaking of snakes, I’ve seen heaps. All flat, but heaps, regardless. Started in the Ozarks… Reminds me to stay on my toes when stopping… Saw a rabbit chasing a road-runner yesterday, thought that was kinda strange… Haven’t seen much else, alive, just lots of roadkill. Other than a cursury glance for known species, I try to ignore it, (and avoid it, as well - haha). It does serve as a kinda barometer of geographical/climate change, and lets me know what the true wind direction is… This is a family blog, so I’ll leave the turtle story off…


It was hot yesterday, and the ride was 65miles that was basically all uphill. The wind was in my face in the morning, but moderated and turned SE as the day progressed. On the interstates I usually pull into rest areas and take 5. The rig attracts the tourists and I just sit there and hand out fliers and talk to folk. I’m finding people are more interested in this rig than they were the RP one. I am finding that the vast majority of people are receptive to my denouncing of the Federal Reserve. Everyone knows we are being lied to and robbed, and are thankful to be getting info on the real culprits. I tell people that I am not being paid by any of these orgs, and none are perfect, but all are working towards exposing the truth, and that the links they will follow from these will certainly open their eyes…


I stopped for lunch in Groom TX, all of you who donated bought me an open faced chicken steak sandwich smothered in white gravy. It was great. Thanks. On the way out of town I came across a house with 4×8 RP signs still up.
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That certainly brightened my day. I stopped and knocked, no answer, so left some gifts on the porch (including a Mack book and a note to please deliver it for us), then, pedaled on.
Also had a difficult flat to fix, took two attempts and still has a slow leak…
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Usually, I can just remove the tube, fill it with air, and roll it past my cheek to feel the air escaping. I did that, but did not catch the nine other tiny holes that this piece of retread had created. In the end I had to cut up some truck tire patches a garage had given me on the last trip into strips and cover about an 8 inch section… That was sufficient to get me here, but will be shopping today for new tubes and tires…


Have a short distance day today. Only 44 miles, so should be able to get the tires issues sorted, am waiting for the stores to open now. Will pedal to the Sheriff first, then the stores, then back on the highway. May try increasing power today to experiment with speed to distance ratios…


Finally, I am within $750 of my fundraising goal and would love to close that out early (before the Kokesh Money Bomb on 7/4/09). If you have donated, thanks; if you haven’t and can, please do. I’d love to replace the donation widget with a video playlist…


pedal pedal
 
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Our man's panhandling!

No, I'm not talking about the donation threads. I'm talking about how he's in the Panhandle country of Texas. But since you brought up the donation threads, I'll just bet you can find one... :)
 
Our man's panhandling!

No, I'm not talking about the donation threads. I'm talking about how he's in the Panhandle country of Texas. But since you brought up the donation threads, I'll just bet you can find one... :)

I catch them scrolling through when I get a chance to hit new posts. Am almost afraid to post in them, (always felt I was a bit of a thread killer - haha) I am deeply moved by the support of this forum. I can't quite tell you all in words how much it means to me that you guys have led the charge on supporting this ride.

much aloha, and many, many, many, mahalos...
 
By the way, you've got a cold wave coming through some time tomorrow. Only 95F or so behind it. Hope you didn't pack your jacket too deep!
 
Stickies don't tend to get as many views as a naturally bumped thread.
 
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