FastFred's Motorcycle Rights E-zine Editor BioRiding is in my blood. I have spent most of my life on two wheels. I enjoy racking up miles on my motorcycles; I have a mild 2003 FLHT for travel and commuting to work and a modified 1989 FXR for fun. I generally average about 30,000 miles a year. I currently do not own a cage by choice.
During the my teenage years I rode various imported bikes including a 1978 CB550. A new 1985 Ironhead XLX became my first Harley at the age of 20; I rode the XLX as my sole means of transportation until 1988 when I acquired a rigid Shovelhead. South Carolina has great weather for year ‘round riding. I sold the XLX to a close friend in 1991.
During the fall of 1993 I decided a new bike might be cheaper than maintenance on my old and stroked Shovelhead. I bought a new teal green 883 Sportster Deluxe during the Fall of 1993. I later modified the Sportster into a fast 1200. I bought my first and only cage in 1995; I only managed to place 40K miles on the cage before retiring and giving it away in 2002 to a friend in need. My green 1200 Sporty was stolen in the spring of 1999 but recovered less than 72 hours later.
During 2001 I bought an 1989 FXRSC and later sold my 1200 Sportster. My 1200 Sportster was nearly totaled when my brother was struck head on while riding it in 2001 just prior to 9/11; my brother survived and has since participated into two more combat tours supporting the Enduring Freedom Campaign in the Middle East. After my friend Dave Holiday died in the fall of 2002 I bought a new 2003 FLHT the following Saturday. I have been a member of ABATE of SC since the early 1980s. During the early 1990s I realized the economy was not getting any better for electricians in South Carolina and I sent myself to college; I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the College of Charleston. I have since used much of what I learned to the benefit of several Motorcyclists Rights Organizations.
During the late 1990s ABATE seemed to lose its way. During 2000 and 2001 I realized our lifestyle was under attack but ABATE of SC seemed more focused on charity and other pursuits unrelated to biker rights. Many of my friends seemed to share a similar opinion and encouraged me to become more involved.
During 2001 I proposed to the ABATE of SC Board of Directors that we develop a professional website. I found myself volunteered and developed a web site for ABATE of SC in April. In July of 2001 I saw a need for more change and ran for office in my chapter. I easily won the election to chapter coordinator of the ABATE of SC Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter. While some strides followed many roadblocks were still encountered and some charity mongers still held high offices in the lowcountry area of our organization.
During January 2002 several friends approached and persuaded me to run for Lowcountry Area Coordinator.. I held the office of Area Coordinator for almost two years; during the time I held the office of area coordinator the membership of Lowcountry ABATE grew quickly and the focus shifted from charity towards biker rights. I became the State Coordinator of ABATE of SC November 2003. I became a member of the Sons of Liberty Riders (SOLR) during 2002 and remained a member until the Biker Republic (BR) was formed by the remaining members of SOLR. As one of the founding members of BR I created the new website and information lists.
Lately I have been seen riding in Western North Carolina and other helmet law states without a lid. I finally scored my first no helmet ticket in the fall of 2006. During July of 2007 after many lidless miles I obtained an additional helmet ticket in North Carolina. However this time the Assistant District Attorney dismissed the helmet ticket on behalf of the state.
After four years of service as the ABATE of SC State Coordinator I choose to pass the torch to the next worthy biker. Along this same time Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) approached me about helping to organize the Carolinas; I accepted the position of Director of BOLT of South Carolina. Have I done all that I can to the best of my ability? Hell no but I am still trying! Yours in liberty, FastFred Ruddock |
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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