Rush is a Band

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Neil Peart, Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson

Fri, Mar 29, 2024

New Neil Peart news update at NeilPeart.net

Tue, Jun 25, 2013@3:24PM | comments removed/disabled

[NEWS, WEATHER, and SPORTS: June, 2013 - Shunpikers in the Shadowlands]

Neil Peart has once again updated the news page on his website with a story titled Shunpikers in the Shadowlands. Neil describes his motorcycle travels across Europe, shunpiking with his friend Brutus on the European leg of the Clockwork Angels tour. Neil reminds us what shunpiking means:

The delightful term "shunpiker" goes back about 500 years, to a time when British roads were lawless, especially at night, prowled by highwaymen and footpads. Villages blockaded their entry roads with a long pole-a pike-stretched across them. Around the same time, toll roads were invented, and a similar pike blocked the way until travelers paid their fee, when the pike would be turned-hence "turnpike."

In those days, travelers who deliberately avoided toll roads called themselves "shunpikers." Lately, the term has been adopted by drivers and riders who deliberately avoid all major roads.

You can read the entire story on Neil's website at this location.

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