February 19, 2006
Un-Easy Rider
While perusing the VeloNews photo gallery chronicling the Amgen Tour of California's Official Athletes' Presentation/Gala fundraiser, I couldn't help but notice one of the celebrity photographs up for grabs in the silent auction: a color still photo from Easy Rider autographed by Dennis Hopper. That sure must have been a buzz kill for all of the giddy party people eager to celebrate the ensuing TofC. There's nothing quite like conjuring up the mental image of Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda getting gunned down in cold blood by Louisiana yahoos at a festive, high-dollar gathering of cyclists. Particularly, since I'd wager that every person in attendance who has ever gone out on training rides in rural settings has likely had at least one up close and personal encounter with rednecks in pickups. In 1969, Capt. America and Billy could very well have been John Howard and John Allis, decked out in a wool kit and leather hairnets while training in obscurity for the Pan Am Games and Olympics, and just as appetizing a target for hate. Have things changed much about 35+ years later? Well, just ask the rider in the photo next to Easy Rider, a certain Lance Armstrong, about the love he's felt from Austin, TX area motorists.
