After three 100+ mile riding days, I was relieved to see only 72 miles on the schedule for today. That said, no matter how long the stretch ahead, it is never easy to roll out of the hotel into the rain and wind. Alas, a two-wheeled scoot was my only option, so I clicked in and pointed East.
As before, there really isn't much to say about the Oklahoman landscape. It is flat, barren, and primarily devoid of people. It can actually be spooky out there when you don't encounter any humans for a while.
In any event, I was looking forward to being done with the day. I was cold, still sore from the last few days, and just ready to be off the bike. I mean, you know a man is getting desperate when he starts fantasizing about the awaiting Holiday Inn Express.
Four miles from said lodging, one of my riding buddies got a flat and stopped to fix it. I soft-pedaled ahead a bit to keep my legs limber, and soon found myself next to a Conoco Phillips refinery and pipeline. The facility was an impressive tangle of piping and iron framing. Say what you will about the petroleum industry, this was truly a marvel of mechanical engineering.
As I've done the entire length of this trip, I whipped out my iPhone to grab a few snaps of the plant whose discharging spires appeared to be Oklahoma's best attempt at a forest. I stopped my bike on the highway shoulder, framed a couple of pics triggering the shutter with my numb fingers, and headed back down the road.
About the time my mates caught up to me to cycle the rest of the way in, a rent-a-cop presumably from the oil company pulled his pickup truck right in front of my moving bike ordering me to stop and come with him as the "pictures [I] took are illegal."
Well, I didn't even know where to start in terms of responding. But, you can take it as bible that I will never, ever stop for a private security guard when I am riding on a public street. Pedaling away gave me a chance to temper the vitriol I felt for the Patriot Act heroism in which this fascist attempted to wrap himself.
Of course, he followed me down the street, giving me a chance to take a picture of his truck. (I thought that was too funny an opportunity to pass up.) As he soon gave up and pulled away, I turned to my buddy and remarked that he undoubtedly relinquished pursuit because there was now an APB out on me. We chuckled and kept riding. Sure enough, within two minutes, a passing cruiser from the opposing traffic spun around, blared an unmistakable police horn, and ordered me to pull over. It was Ponca City, Oklahoma's finest.
So, picture this: I am decked out in my LIVESTRONG kit sweaty from 70+ miles ridden today, and now standing in a strip mall parking lot, a police cruiser parked diagonally across the entrance/exit, doors ajar, and two officers approaching me ordering me to come to them.
This next detail is just too good. The younger officer, as he approached me, hiked up his belt while simultaneously spitting his chaw at my feet. He was right out of central casting. If I wasn't so scared shitless that I was on my way to Guantanamo, I would have laughed my ass off at how faithfully he portrayedthe role of redneck cop. Next to him was another officer in plain clothes, but clearly sporting his badge evidencing he was indeed the chief. Holy cow. They brought the chief.
They asked who I was, where I was from, and what I was doing taking pictures of the refinery. I explained that I am riding across the country and taking pictures of everything I see for the benefit of you all. They let me know that they are on high alert when it comes to the security of the oil facilities and I had been profiled as a potential threat. The situation was tense and a bit of a standoff ensued. I think they expected me to surrender my photos.
In an effort to ease all involved, I joked that I am, in fact, "guilty of having a beard" and that got them to break character for a moment. I explained that the pictures I took were snapped with an iPhone and posed no threat. They made clear to me that it was illegal to take any photographs at all of the Conoco Phillips installation. I countered that there were no signs posted and I was on a public highway shoulder. Of course, they responded that "homeland security rules" make it illegal to take pictures of such a place. (I am bummed I went to law school to learn a bunch of laws and now still have to go to rule school to get up to speed on all of these new rules.)
Throughout this trying interaction, I was worried they were going to ask me for my phone, and there was no way I was going to hand it over. I know to some of you that will sound almost childish. However, it is just so fundamental an issue to me that my property would not be subject to search or confiscation. I can say with unwavering certainty that I would have taken a ride downtown before giving up my pictures no matter how crappy their quality.
Luckily, it didn't come down to that. While the cops were weighing their options, I jumped in, "Hey guys, I have a question for you. Where should I eat tonight? Who's got the best local grub?" Suddenly all of their energy was invested in explaining the various options for both kinds of food: grilled meat or smoked meat and they soon forgot about why I had been pulled over in the first place.
All told, these were not bad guys. Once they made their determination that I'm a harmless white guy merely passing through town, they were more than hospitable. But, the entire basis for their actions is frightening to me. We live in an era where a private security employee feels free to attempt to detain me on a public roadway and the Ponca City chief of police took time out to respond to a call intimating that I'm a domestic terrorist all because I took a touristy photo from the side of the road on my bike trip.
It's all too much. Goodnight.
Chris, it is *not* illegal to make photographs of a refinery from a public road. As long as you are not on private property, photographs can be made of any structure in the United States as long as it is not a classified facility.
Check this out: http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
Posted by: BWJones | October 05, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Sorry you witnessed the typical ignorance of my former home state. I hope you are just as impressed by the hospitality of my new home when you reach Missouri. Hope you enjoy the rest day in Branson. Do as the locals do: Eat!
Posted by: twitter.com/indiefab | October 05, 2009 at 08:21 PM
Wow. I can't even begin to imagine. It's a photo I would've taken as well. Simply because the refinery is a marvel of engineering, and very artistic in it's own right. In fact, I wouldn't have given a second thought to pulling my vehicle off the road to snap a photo. Kudos to you for keeping a cool head, and hope you at least got a good meal from one of the places they recommended!
Take care and have a great ride tomorrow!
Posted by: Michelle | October 05, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Hysterical account of the events Chris. Glad the po-po didn’t haul you in or grossly violate your rights – guess they are OK. Of course if they hauled you in you could broken out into a slightly altered version of “It's a Scandal! It's an Outrage!”
Similar experience with the CDC when a friend - Public Health grad super excited to see the CDC in person - wanted to snap a picture of the outside of the building from the road.
Not sure how you have the energy to write witty accounts of your journey after serious miles in the saddle, but glad you are dedicated to taking us along for the ride. Thanks Chris! Be Safe!
Posted by: @BGreene1 | October 05, 2009 at 09:18 PM
It is through moments like what you experienced that I realize I don't belong in this part of the country. There is a fear and paranoia that is downright creepy in some parts of our country. Also you will find it is some of the harshest landscape. Imagine the Dust Bowl? I have great admiration for what you are doing. You are showing the same qualities of those you say are your heroes. Hope the weather is not too bad today. Hope you find more giving and open people on the rest of your journey. We are out here. Promise. Ride on Chris. Your journey prompts me to get with it and move on!
Posted by: Donna Dorsett | October 06, 2009 at 03:07 AM
Well, for gosh sakes don't dare stop by the Gold Vault at Ft Know if you come thru Ky. You think the refinery crew was serious...try the US Federal Mint Police...they know when you stop before you even get the camera out...
Posted by: mikeonabike | October 07, 2009 at 05:24 AM