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Have you ever wanted to make a stand on the front lines of the battle for Motorcyclists' Rights? No, I don't mean lamenting lid laws from some VFW barstool after an ABATE meeting. And no, I don't mean making whiney postings about new reckless riding rules on some Yahoo Groups sportbike forum. I mean, just once in your life, wouldn't you like to truly take the point position in the fight for *your* Right to Ride? Well here's your chance!

Over the next several days, hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts from coast to coast will be leaving their recession depressions behind as they stuff their saddlebags, top off their touring cases, or load up their "Live to Ride" trailers and head to Florida for the 68th Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week. If you are fortunate enough to participate in that pilgrimage, I encourage you to add some slack to your schedule and reroute your GPS for a 2/28 side trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Here is why:

Defying sound economic reason, overriding the sovereignty of state law, and in clear violation of our Constitutionally-guaranteed civil rights, the municipal government of the City of Myrtle Beach has passed a series of rules and ordinances aimed at terminating Myrtle Beach's Bike Weeks, i.e. the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally, and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest:

http://myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com/ordinances.html

This Google News link will help to bring you current on the controversy...

http://tinyurl.com/bztbsb

...and I'd like you to pay special attention to the article linked here...

http://tinyurl.com/ddkhlo

...which reads as follows:

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MOTORCYCLE "FREEDOM" RIDE

By Thema Ponton
WBTW News 13 Reporter
Published: February 13, 2009

In an email to News13, one biker states that the Myrtle Beach Helmet Freedom Ride will be held on Saturday, February 28, at the Beaver Bar, 3381 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC beginning at 11:00 AM. The ride will depart at noon.

The email states that "participants will be given instructions and route details just prior to the departure of the ride. All participants in this Helmet Freedom Ride do so as common adventurers. Local bikers may coordinate this ride but no one is considered a leader of this ride. All participants take responsibility for making their own decisions including, but not limited to, whether to participate and what equipment they choose to use or not such as safety equipment (helmets) or vehicle equipment (mufflers)."

Organizers state, "The ride is a grassroots effort to oppose discrimination. There is no single group or individual leading this grassroots effort. Bikers in every town or city of the Carolinas are the backbone of this effort. Motorcyclists of every walk of life are welcome."

Organizers add that free legal assistance will be provided for the participants...

Organizers have also set a rain date for the event, March 7, 2009 at the same time and place.

***

Despite the focus of Ms. Ponton's report, DON'T THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT THE ISSUE HERE IS LIDS. The real issue here is *your* right as an American motorcyclist to share the road equally with other motorists, and whether the City of Myrtle Beach--or any other municipality--can blatantly disregard state law and the Constitution of the United States in an open and unapologetic attempt to take away that right. Remember WHY WE FIGHT:

"The battle for bikers' rights is not about patches, parties or poker runs. We fight to protect the freedom and promote the interests of American motorcyclists ... to defend our right to choose our own modes of transportation, attire and lifestyle ... to deter and defy discrimination against us ... and to vanquish those who violate our rights or right-of-way."

And whether you're going to Daytona for Bike Week or not, please make a stop, a statement and a stand in Myrtle Beach!

Speaking strictly for myself and no other individuals or organizations,

Bruce Arnold

Bruce@LdrLongDistanceRider.com
Author and Publisher, LdrLongDistanceRider.com
Co-Moderator, Bruce-n-RC's Biker Forum
Mile Eater Gold Member, Iron Butt Association (IBA)
Sustaining Member, Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
2009 Chairman's Circle, American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)

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PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL CONCERNED MOTORCYCLISTS NATIONWIDE!

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MYRTLE BEACH BIKE WEEK LINKS

http://www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com/

http://www.myrtlebeachharley.com/custompage.asp?pg=bike_week

http://www.mbbikeweeks.com/

REJECT CITIZENS UNITED v. FEC:

http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/07

REPEAL THE PATRIOT ACT:

http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/03

REFUSE CLOUDMARK CENSORSHIP:

http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/02

RE-ELECT NOBODY:

http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/01

REALLY INVESTIGATE 9/11:

http://911truthbikers.com

READ BIKERS RIGHTS NEWS:

http://bikernews.ldrlongdistancerider.com