“You’re sloppy! You’re not even matching! You look like General Custer’s illegitimate son!”
Three years ago today, I became Red Bike Guy, getting my fifteen minutes of fame for heckling the Patriot Front as they demonstrated in Washington, DC.
Seeing yourself go famous is a surreal experience. It was a whirlwind as I was interviewed on CNN, watched Rachel Maddow sing my praises and saw my name everywhere from the local news to publications halfway around the world.
I’m glad that I went viral for something good. It was overwhelming, at times, and I have a lot of sympathy for people caught up in the social media storm. Every day, social media picks a hero and a villain and I was lucky enough to be the hero. (My book of short stories, LIKES, explores the dangers of social media fame.)
A lot has happened since May 13, 2023. Here’s what has changed and remained the same for Red Bike Guy:
- I still ride red bikes. I’m a huge fan of Capital Bikeshare, the bikesharing system in the nation’s capital. Their red bikes are ubiquitous here and now have been joined by sturdy, gray, electric steeds. The e-bikes are a blast and the best way to get around DC.
- I wrote a book. How I Became Red Bike Guy is a memoir of life in DC during Trump 1.0, explaining how I went from a cynical observer of politics to someone who would mock the Patriot Front.
- The torch has been passed to a new generation. When the Patriot Front came to DC in January, a new hero was there to mess up their photo op. Ginger Boi played clown music and got in the face of Thomas Rosseau, the mini-Custer fascist leader. I met Ginger Boi and he said that he was inspired by me!
- The return of Donald Trump is profoundly depressing. You think that flawed America will eventually make the right decision but then your fellow citizens commit an act of national suicide. Now, we’re all living with the consequences, especially in Washington, DC, which has suffered heavily under the regime.
- I’m still involved. Rolling up that day on a red bike in 2023, I expected counterprotestors to be there. When they weren’t, I felt the need to represent my city. Now, I leave the heckling to professionals like Patricia Eguino. Instead, I take photos and collect information, using my communication skills to highlight dangers and the opportunities to disrupt them.
- It’s a dangerous time to speak out. After I heckled the Patriot Front, I talked to a researcher at the Southern Poverty Law Center about my experience. Now, in 2026, this nonprofit has been targeted by the Department of Justice. Across the river in Virginia, the FBI and other agencies are investigating people who left chalk messages criticizing Stephen Miller – the type of shenanigans that occurred all the time in DC, pre-Trump. The regime is using the vast power of the Deep State (irony) to ban criticism of Dear Leader. But if we obey in advance, they win. This is not the time to give up.
I am very fortunate that when my fifteen minutes of fame arrived, it was for something good. Something worthwhile that inspired others. The internet bestowed the name “Red Bike Guy” on me, which I like, too. Not everyone is happy with their viral media monikers. I still get recognized sometimes, but I’m glad for my anonymity.
And I even occasionally get free drinks :) That is what it is like to be the heckler formerly known as Red Bike Guy.
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