SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - November, 2007


Name:   Rich Rodgers

Nickname:   OutRigger

Marital Status:  Still married after thirty-three years, but it's not my fault. I don't know what she sees in me.

Location:  Hamilton, VA

Hometown:  Bayonne, NJ.....densely populated, heavy industry in the shadows of Manhattan. A little too much of that Mafia thing.

Children:  Two young men, Jonathan, 27 lives in Arlington and Kris, 23 is learning Arabic and soon to be in Iraq with the Army Special Forces.

Age:  I'm 58 and never thought I'd make it this far. Cancer......three surgeries and I'm still here.

Occupation:  Xerox for 34 years. Right now I'm a Manager, Technical Training. Move to Leesburg in 1979.

Current motorcycle(s):  2001 Honda ST1100

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
I know it was through the Delphi forums, but that's all I remember. It's so long ago I can't tell you what year.

How long have you been riding?
April 1979 I went to Brooklyn, NY and looked at a brand new Honda Hawk (400 twin). It was $1,100 including the helmet. When the dealer asked if I've reading before...I had to say yes. On the way home with the new bike is when I learned to ride.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Not the beginners course, but I did take the advanced course about eight years ago.

What was your first bike?
Honda Hawk 400cc, 1079.

How many bikes have you owned?
....then there was the 1994 Suzuki Intruder 800....then the Honda Shadow 1100, and now the ST1100.

Why do you ride?
We all know it's not to save money. Primarily....the excitement. Then there's also the friends, going new places, exploring new roads, the whole nature thing,.....but mostly the excitement.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
No...does it show?

What modifications have you done to your bike?
Like I tell my wife....when you find something perfect...you leave it alone.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
Oil change and new tires...that's about it.

What is your dream bike?
It would really take four bikes to meet my dreams....off road bike, 600cc sport, current bike, and a Harley.....you made me say it...a Harley.

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
Back roads where I haven't been before. I'd rather not have a destination planned. I went for a ride one weekend and wound up in Ohio. Another time I took off work for two weeks and headed towards New England....2,200 miles later I was back home.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
That's were I have a problem....I just don't have one. Does that make me bad?

What is your favorite riding route?
Anything west of Hamilton.

Do you ride your bike to work?
No....I just can't stand helmet hair in the office.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
140 mph, but I didn't realize it until I looked at the speedo......it was on a Honda F4.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
October and November when the temps in the morning are in the 30's and it warms into the 60's.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
No....I've been very lucky.

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
No....don't want to.....motorcycling should be fun.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
279 miles non-stop. I just had to find a men's room. There were about two gallons left in the tank.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
Route 81 near Scranton. It rained so hard trucks were pulling off. I kept going until the hail started.

Do you know how to work on your bike?
At $100 an hour for labor....I do it all myself.

What is your favorite road song?
You got me there…

What was your most adventurous ride?
It hasn't happened yet.

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Never have…

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
My wife ever now and then, but not often....it's a back thing. Anyone is welcome.

Off the cuff from...OutRigger
Uh.. Hmmm..