2012: The Year in Review

Earlier today I was reflecting on 2012 and this blog in general. I began to realize that this same time last year, I had two spammers following me on Twitter, no sent tweets, and no blog to speak of. My screen name was still theJEF26.

Well today, things have changed quite drastically. Thanks to all your support, this blog has seen over 5400 page views, the Roadrunner 2k twitter feed has 864 followers, and my Google Plus and Pinterest pages are steadily growing as well.

But aside from all the numbers, I would like to say a sincere "Thank you" to each one of you who has made this possible. When I started on Twitter, I never knew where this would end up, and I would have been very surprised to see the results.

This year was a tumultuous year for trucking. Regulations were passed that will affect the future of American trucking likely forever. There were changes to the HOS rules, CSA regs, and fuel economy and emissions standards. There were proposals by truck manufacturers to create 6x2s to replace the beloved 6x4. There were new vehicle models introduced such as the Kenworth T680 and the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. There were joint ventures between large industry players such as Navistar and Cummins.

Overseas, Volvo shocked the world with a viral video stunt displaying their all-new FH16. To date this video has over 6 million views. Mercedes introduced a refined version of the Actros, another truck which will soon dominate the roads of Europe.

These were the stories that captivated the majority of trucking news bloggers, news agencies, and fans. But the story of the hard-working driver is untold, unnoticed, and unregarded. This is the story of the man or woman who awakens each day to keep this great nation and the rest of the world moving. The trucker who fords flooded roads, conquers icy hills, and descends narrow, steep mountain roads. The trucker who performs his/her duties faithfully every day. This story will never make it to the top of the news headlines.

But then again, would these truckers want all the attention of the media? Would they want cameras following them every mile of the way, documenting all the challenges of the day? Would they want to be a popular figure, scrutinized for every mistake, lauded for every victory? Or would they want to do their job in peace and quietness?

Although the answers to these questions may never be found, those of you who pilot 18-wheeled behemoths on the highways of America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and wherever else you call home, you deserve a thank you. And that is the goal of this blog and associated Twitter feed, Pinterest profile, and Google+ page: to draw attention to the hard work of professional drivers and to provide news and information to those of you who simply lack the time to search for it, because you are working.

Thank you to all of you who keep the world's economy moving, and have a great, safe, happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving to America's Truckers

Since today is Thanksgiving, I think it is appropriate to be thankful for the millions of truck drivers that haul our dinners, desserts, and Black Friday shopping wares. Without people like you, the stores would have nothing to sell tonight and tomorrow and the next day. Although most Americans fail to notice, truckers are always on the go, even on a holiday such as today. And with increasing fuel prices, government regulations, and other problems, it is amazing that this nation still has a functioning trucking industry.

So even if no one else remembers to say thank you, we'll say it here. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and be safe on America's highways.

America Rolls on 18 Wheels

Last week, I was running an errand when suddenly the whoosh of traffic was overrun by the noise of a trucker on the jake. To some, this sound may have been offensive, maybe disturbing, even unacceptable. But to me, this was and is the sound of America on the move.

When I heard this sound, the first thing that came to mind was "America Is Alive and Well." Well, at least partially. Until regular Americans begin to realize who hauls their food, fuel, furniture, and other necessities, blogs like this and truckers like you will continue to inform them of the realities of our economy.

That Jacobs brake that I heard was not the sound of one trucker or two, although it was made by only one. That sound was the sound of a nation rolling down the open interstates. Straight pipes, jake brakes, and train horns--America rolls on 18 wheels.

(This is not the Jake Brake I heard, but for those of you who want to hear the roar, here it is.)

Turn up the volume and enjoy.

The 2012 National Truck Driving Championships

Truck driving championships do not garner a slew of media personnel. After all, some would say there is nothing to watch, nothing to get the crowd on edge, nothing to defy the limits of human ability. On the other hand, truck driving championships such as the ATA National Truck Driving Championship in Minneapolis are a celebration, a commemoration of the best America's trucking industry has to offer.

The truth is that the hard work of truckers in America goes completely unnoticed until a truck crosses paths with another motorist. However, the RoadRunner 2k blog is going to defy the stereotypes by congratulating those skilled professionals who are participating in the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships. It is the skill of truckers like these who keep America's wheel turning.

And to all the truckers who did not make it to this event, thank you also for your hard work supporting America's economy. Without your efforts, our economy would not function. Safe travels to all of America's drivers both at the National Truck Driving Championships and on the highways of America at this moment. America appreciates you.