SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - January, 2016

Also Featured:
August, 2008


Name:   Stephen Radloff

Nickname:   Soarer

Marital Status:  Married

Location:  Leesburg, VA

Hometown:  Never ask a Brat that question. It’s a long story but basically where ever my bed is at, that is home. I was born in England, lived in Illinois, back to England, then to Texas, back to England followed by North Dakota, Florida, Ohio, Florida, California and Virginia. Guess VA is home now as I’ve lived here over a 1/3 of my life.

Children:  Between the two of us – 5 – 3 boys, 2 girls.

Age:  Not as old at Tom or Greg, the same age as Chad’s Dad and old enough to use my AARP card for a 10% discount on breakfast at Roys before a ride.

Occupation:  Lately seems proposal writer, but really a director of security for a mid-sized company.

Current motorcycle(s):  Victory Vision – the UFO, Jetson Mobile, Starship, best looking bike on the road, etc.

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
Found it roaming websites when I started riding in 06. Joined in Apr or May of 06.

How long have you been riding?
10 yrs in March 16.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yes

What was your first bike?
2006 Suzuki C50

How many bikes have you owned?
3

Why do you ride?
Cause I can! For a while thought I wasn’t going to again but like the red phoenix, I rose from the ashes to ride again. When you ride it’s like flying, it’s you and machine against the elements.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Just SCRC.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
Added a CB and GPS. No other mods needed to make it fit me.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
Nothing – the bike is perfect for me.

What is your dream bike?
The bike I have.

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
All kinds of roads. Depends on my mood and what roads I encounter. Sometimes it’s a thrill to set the cruise control at some speed on the interstate and just blast down it. Other times the rush comes from trying to keep up with a gold wing climbing a twisty mountain road. Or just lollygagging along on some country road. As long as I’m riding I happy.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
Having flown sailplanes where you soar with eagles and hawks, it’s hard to stay on the ground and work with turkeys. If you really want a rush that is just as thrilling as a motorcycle, try flying a plane with no engine. The soaring part is the ability to gain altitude and stay up vs. gliding to the ground.

What is your favorite riding route?
Too many to name but just about any road west, south west, or north of Leesburg.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Yes but with the lousy drivers around here it’s not much fun going to work. But coming home I frequently get lost and that’s a lot more fun.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
Well, the GPS last year recorded a 97 mph for the max, so that’s probably it.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Spring and fall.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Yep been down. Don’t do it again, it hurts and our club is truly family.

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
28 April 2007, a Saddle Sore 1000 – that’s 1000 miles in less than 24 hours. Did it on my C50 (800cc) on a stock seat.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
Well done a couple of 2500 to 3000 trips and been known to ride 250 miles, one way, for dinner.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
No snow or hail yet. But had an interesting ride this past summer on the Natchez Trace Trail in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Seams our ride lead didn’t want to stop to put rain gear on and as we rode through groves of trees the leaves were coming down hard and fast – it was like a wind tunnel. Then the rain started – a good hard soaking rain. After it stopped the ride lead stopped and asked if anybody wanted to put rain gear on.

Do you know how to work on your bike?
A bit, do some tinkering but usually let my AMEX card do the work.

What is your favorite road song?
Thunderstruck, Crazy Train, Low Rider, Rolling down the Highway, Born to be Wild, Life in the Fast Lane, Turn up the Radio, Flirtin’ with Disaster, Slow Ride, Born to Run, etc. etc.

What was your most adventurous ride?
Mt. Washington – which really wasn’t that adventurous. Everyone says how rough of a ride it is and how hard it is to come down, but I found it a very enjoyable ride. Course the day I did it was probably the best day in a 100 yrs for the ride, but hey, I’m not complaining.

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Any Special Olympics poker run, Rolling Thunder, Jill’s Ride are on my list of must rides every year. Rallies or events are nice to see what toys or accessories one can buy but don’t do a whole lot for me.

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
Yep, my lovely wife, Kat.

Off the cuff from...Soarer
Don’t sweat the small stuff, and when you think you have it bad, look around, I guarantee somebody else has it worse than you, so count your blessings and charge ahead!