ABATE celebrates 24th annual Freedom Rally
Event attracts 10,000 bikers to Algona this yearBy DON COGGER, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
ALGONA - In the summer of 2002, Wayne Wierson and five friends took off from Ames on their motorcycles, heading toward Anamosa.
Halfway into the trip, a van, driven by a man who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the centerline, plowing into the group. Three of the riders were killed, one lost his leg and another suffered severe head injuries. Wierson escaped with a cut on his finger and an eternity of bad dreams.
''I was sitting at home, trying to figure out a way to deal with the images in my head,'' Wierson said. ''After a while, I realized that I needed to get out and talk to people about being aware of motorcycles. That's how I become involved with the 'Share the Road' program.''
Wierson, now the state coordinator of the program, was at the 24th annual Freedom Rally this weekend, hosted by A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education - ABATE, along with Assistant Coordinator Sharon Stone (not the actress). Wierson and Stone manned a booth, hoping to promote awareness of their program and perhaps prevent a few accidents in the process.
''We've put on a presentation each day of the rally,'' Wierson said. ''We do it to let ABATE members know what we're doing for their safety. We're looking out for the safety of anyone who rides.''
Stone agreed, saying that stories like Wierson's are becoming all too frequent.
''What a lot of people don't realize is that even though you may ride a motorcycle, that doesn't mean you know to look out for one when you're driving a car,'' Stone said. ''All of us ride, but we don't always think about other riders once we're off the bike.''
This year's rally was once again held at ABATE's campground, just outside Algona. Nearly 10,000 bikers from around the nation descended on Algona to celebrate the Fourth of July, camp out and have a good time.
''I've seen license plates from as far away as Texas and Montana,'' said Kent Clemons, public relations director for the rally. ''It's always a kick when riders from out of state show up.''
Clemons described the Freedom Rally as a ''mini-Sturgis,'' a reference to the annual rally held in South Dakota. What the Freedom Rally lacks in size compared to Sturgis, it more than makes up for in entertainment.
''We've got 16 bands and more than 30 vendors this year,'' Clemons said. ''Sled pulls, dirt drags, tattoo contests ... just about everything you'd expect from a good rally.''
With tents and Harleys as far as the eye can see, the campground, once known as the Plum Creek Elk Ranch, looked more like a small city, with food, water and emergency medical services available. Members of the Christian Motorcycle Association handed out water and snacks, making sure that everyone stayed hydrated. Campers respect each other and their gear, making for a very relaxed environment, according to Clemons.
''Everyone is here to have a good time,'' Clemons said. ''There's always going to be a troublemaker or two, but the people at events like this are usually pretty good about policing themselves.''
As for Wierson and Stone, this is the first rally where they've set up a booth to promote ''Share the Road,'' though they're hoping it won't be the last.
''One of the primary goals of ABATE is to make everyone safer on the highway,'' Wierson said. ''We teach people how to ride motorcycles the right way, the safe way, and we want to continue to do so.
''ABATE stands for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education. Education is so important, that we put it in our name.''
Contact Don Cogger at (515) 573-2141 or dcogger@messengernews.net
|
Robertwilson
|
|
|---|---|
|
07-12-08 9:57 AM
|
You that think that the nudity is not an issue are wrong.And you know it.And I said it was,and is still a good Group.So if you want to distort the truth in all ways possible so be it.People know the truth as it is and if that is what burn's you off as be it.Funny how people will try and spin my words.But in the end they are as they are.Written right here. So do your whinning and carring on.Lieing and twisting.In the end if your in Abate or any other group and you like to EXPOSE YOURSELF. Well your still a Pervert on your own land or where ever.You can not stand on your own property and expose yourself it illegal Period.And your sick and you need help.And if you want to change that into a Abate hating thing then your WRONG.So stop your Crying. Aren't we all suppose to be big boy's here. Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong.So stop trying to twist it around be responable for your own action's.Stop following the trend.And be a Real man.Post what you want and I'll sit here an Laugh.
|
|
Wrestler
|
|
|
07-08-08 10:51 PM
|
To all who disagree with what abate does i have a point to get across to you. I joined abate because i agree with everything it stands for. I live in humboldt and as a kid remember how the motorcyclists riding in town were very respectful. We do many things to better the lives of others such as: toys for tots, bikes for tikes, adopt a highway, and share the road. When you do so much for people, you deserve a reward and the rally is that reward. If taking off your clothes is a way of expressing yourself then so be it. that is why underage people arent allowed in the first place. A disagreement on one of wilson's previous comments, the biker image? yes the biker image is what you want to be seen as. Most of us want to be seen as good, unselfish people who know how to have a good time. To most we are viewed this way, the others are uptight people like wilson. If you disagree with how those people true to abate choose to act then maybe you should join a new club.
|
|
justmythoughts
|
|
|
07-08-08 10:11 PM
|
Mr. Wilson has the unusual gift of seeing what is not there. Nowhere in these posts did I see anyone say that there is no nudity. I think the whole point of this article was about ABATE, the Freedom Rally and Share the Rode which by the way is a course taught by ABATE members to our kids and adults. It is a serious subject taught to drivers in hopes of preventing accidents like Wayne Wierson's from happening to other motorcyclist. Mr. Wilson brought the subject of nudity into the post (possibly a Fraudian Slip), but as a clothed motorcyclist, I believe in "Live and Let Live" Let us be thankful that most of our fellow riders aren't as judgemental as Mr. Wilson.
|
|
Robertwilson
|
|
|
07-08-08 9:06 PM
|
Well folkes there you have it. Enough said the truth is all on this page. I say that I disagree with the Nudity and at first there is none. Now the truth come's out. Letting your hair down and all.Biker's will never be looked at in the right light if you have that kind of thing going on..That is my whole point. And you will never see the number's on the people that ride that don't go because that is not what some people want. Act how you would want to be seen and it will clean up the biker Image. Thing's are slowly changing for the better, but then everyone need's to have a good roll in making it happen.
|
|
1998Glide
|
|
|
07-08-08 1:32 PM
|
Wilson let me say that I unconditionally respect your opinion, and your choice not to attend the rally because of the nudity. I do however think you're being a little extreme in calling us perverts that hide in the woods. We're really not there to represent any specific group such as ABATE. It just happens to be hosted by ABATE of Iowa. The bottom line is it's a*****of a bash for ALL types of bikers. I'm 47 and have been riding for 35 years. I am a member of ABATE because I believe in the work they do for ALL motorcyclists. Secondly, my girlfriend happens to enjoy riding on the back of my scoot naked. Ironically we didn't see even one person offended by it. I just ask you to respect our decision to display our freedom in an enviroment that encourages such behavior.
|
|
justmythoughts
|
|
|
07-08-08 12:09 PM
|
I also am a member of ABATE and a rider. I do attend the rally. There are many types of people there including the Christian Motorcyle Riders. The rally is an event to get together with fellow riders, see some great bands and have a relaxing weekend. It is not an orgy or love-fest as these 2 gentlemen would have you believe. The nudity is there in small amounts compared to the total numbers. But as stated before, if you are offended, don't go! And Mr. Wilson if you are a member of ABATE as you stated, you should be*****mad the a group that has done so much for you as a rider, is be sterotyped by the actions of a few.
|
|
Robertwilson
|
|
|
07-08-08 11:17 AM
|
For you people that like to call out name's I'll tell you this.You have both Lied and distorted my word's.And for your sad but twisted mind's I have ridden for over 41 year's.I was one of the first people that donated to abate,because it was a Great Idea. and still has great Idea's,but hiding in the wood's and acting like a bunch of Pervert's is not the way to repesent a group that is trying to do good thing's.I never said that Abate was all wrong like you spew.What I said was the Nudity.So you few that are the Pervet's in abate Clean up your act's and quite trying to hide behind a Good Group.You twist the word's of other's,because you feel offended by the truth.I'm 54 year's old and as I said I have riding for 41 year's and still counting.I'm a Member and I don't go the rallies just because of the nudity,but I still support the Group.If you want a free love in at the expence of the rest of the Good member's and the great thing's that Abate has stood for then go join the LA Gay's.....
|
|
JeffHansen
|
|
|
07-07-08 9:39 PM
|
ABATE and the Modified Motorcycle Association of (CA & AZ) is not about wearing colors. It is about educating riders to the sake of safety and working with our state legislators to change current laws on the books. The year, ABATE, MMA of AZ, and other motorcycle rights organizations (MRO's) got the law changed from having to do engine emissions testing for motorcycles to not having to do it any more in Maricopa County, Arizona. Why??? Because there are individuals that do want to work within the law and get things changed even when it benefits people like two of these ignorant individuals that have commented. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!
|
|
1998Glide
|
|
|
07-07-08 9:13 PM
|
dodger you are probably naive enough to think professional atheletes are great role models for our youth? There are far more thugs in "professional" sports than there are the biker world. You're attitude is just another example of "If I Have To Explain You Wouldn't Understand." Rally's are events where we (bikers)can let our hair down and not have to be grown up for a few days amoung our peers. It's very theraputic. I highly recommend it, especially for uptight people like you and Wilson.
|
|
Xdodger76
|
|
|
07-07-08 8:31 PM
|
Yes ABATE you can change your colors but you still haven't (for the most of you) grown up. I lived in Humboldt all of those yrs and believe me you were a great example for my kids on how NOT to be adults.
|
|
justmythoughts
|
|
|
07-07-08 8:12 PM
|
Well Said 1998Glide
|
|
1998Glide
|
|
|
07-07-08 7:22 PM
|
Wilson is obviously ignorant. I would find it hard to believe if he even owns a motorcycle, which makes me wonder why he's even the slightest bit concerned about what goes on at the Freedom Rally, on PRIVATE property. Regarding teaching our young kids and riders.. there are no minors allowed at the rally. In my opinion, the smartest decision ABATE could have made. If you want Disneyland go to Sturgis. It's a family affair these days. How unfortunate that is. I believe that one of the reasons attendance keeps rising year after year in Algona is because there are no kids allowed which is the way it should be at ALL biker rallies. The Freedom Rally is about bikers being bikers in a comfortable relaxed enviroment, no worries about being camped next to Robert Wilson.So, Wilson if you are offended by naked people walking and/or riding around at the rally, guess what. You have the right to stay home or do whatever it is you do.Remember this: Live and Let Live!
|
|
justmythoughts
|
|
|
07-06-08 7:42 PM
|
Mr.Wilson obviously has voyeristic habits if he sought out the web site to look for the nudity. I searched the site and found no such pictures but you can look for yourself by going to ****abateiowa**** What you will also see on that site is the many things that ABATE has done for motorcyclist rights and education, not to mention countless contrubutions each district has made to their communities through fundraisers like toy runs, etc.. And as I stated earlier, MOST of the people in Humboldt will tell you they miss the rally no longer being there. There will always be a few misinformed, close-minded individuals like Mr. Wilson who like to complain about things while secretly searching for a look. The Freedom Rally is just an event like The Sturgis Rally in South Dakota. It does not define what ABATE is about. So if Mr. Wilson is so offended by what happens he should probably stop searching for pictures of nudity. The piece in the paper was about Share the Road not nudity.
|
|
Robertwilson
|
|
|
07-06-08 4:01 PM
|
justmythoughts..Are you trying to tell me that what I have seen with my own two eye's is all wrong.Maybe you should look on their own Web site and also see for yourself before you start slamming me or anyone else for that matter.It show's men walking around with there privet's hanging out and nude rider's riding around the camping area's as well.And that is men and Woman as well.And if you want to stick to the Lie about the people in Humboldt( ALL )wanting to keep it there well then that's your Lie Tell it like you may.I was one of the people that personaly walked around the town and asked people what they though about the Rally.And your Lie about most of the town crying about it's moving to algona is just that.I never heard anyone from Humboldt begging them to stay.And trying to find way's to get them to not move.Your spewing of wrong fact's does not make it the truth.Anyone that knows anything about the rally knows first hand what goes on there.It's your Story tell it as you may????
|
|
justmythoughts
|
|
|
07-06-08 3:26 PM
|
Mr. Wilson should get his facts straight before he makes uninformed statements. The Freedom Rally moved from Humboldt to the property ABATE purchased in Algona because the rally had out grown the park in Humboldt with the increasing attendance. Humboldt was sadden to lose the rally as most of it's towns people will tell you. As far as the nudity...I have yet to see a motorcyclist riding down the rode naked but if that's what would get your attention so you would see and be aware of motorcyclist, maybe we will give it a try. Before you jump to conclusions and pass judgement maybe you should attend an ABATE District or State meeting and find out what we are all about.
|
|
Robertwilson
|
|
|
07-06-08 2:18 PM
|
But what about all the Nudity and carring on that goes on at their rallies?? I sure hope that isn't part of the Education Program that they would like to teach our young Kid's and Rider's?? Not what I would call good Policing of the Tribe's. Isn't that why the city of Humboldt said enough was enough and stopped hosting the Rallies.
|
|
Prowler
|
|
|
07-06-08 1:11 PM
|
ABATE feels that wearing a helmet should be a motorcyclist's choice and not a mandate from the state. The FREEDOM RALLY celebrates all of our freedoms, including the freedom of choice.
|
|
cyclops
|
|
|
07-06-08 11:47 AM
|
ABATE does great work. BUT, they forget to encourage people to wear helmets. WHY?
|