SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - November, 2020

Name:   Richard MacBain

Marital Status:  unverified

Location:  Sterling, VA

Hometown:  Ithaca, NY

Children:  2 sons

Age:  40

Occupation:  Cyber Security Consultant

Current motorcycle(s):  2013 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1700, 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 750 (project bike/giant paperweight)

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
Found out about the group at a meet and greet of multiple riding clubs in Leesburg.

How long have you been riding?
Since October of 2013.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Absolutely!

What was your first bike?
2008 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 800 (I’m really not tied to the brand, it’s just fate)

How many bikes have you owned?
3

Why do you ride?
Escape, freedom, exploration, just to have something different in life beyond the usual.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Before SCRC? Nope!

What modifications have you done to your bike?
LED frame lights, highway pegs, CB, GOPRO mount, luggage rack.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
Fog lights, better seat.

What is your dream bike?
Would like a full dresser at some point. Looking at the new Yamaha Venture, but I’m not closing down any other brands/models as long as the fit is right and the price is in my range.

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
I mean… “yes!” but boy, do I hear the calling of a good set of back-road curves at times.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
Was on a ride and I had left something behind. I went back to get it (bottle of whiskey – can’t leave a man down!) and on my way to a point where I knew the group was going to be, I got rained on. However, the group was riding clear and dry the entire time. As soon as I met up with the group, the rain found me again and we got soaked the rest of the way back to hotel.

What is your favorite riding route?
Yes? All? I mean – I’m usually just following the ride or my GPS so there aren’t a set of roads that I ride over and over again.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Every chance I get!

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
Faster than I should have… and I’ll do it again.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Yep – first day on my bike right after getting my license. I promptly forgot how to make a left turn and the bike slid out from under me. I ended up with bruised ribs, arm, and leg. The bike had broken plastic, bent foot peg, bent handlebars, and a bent front wheel. I spent the Winter healing up and learning some basic bike repair on the fly (handlebars and wheel were done professionally – didn’t want to do that on my own).

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
No, and I really should. I had a boss who would do multiple each year and he offered to help me with my first “Saddle Sore” but we were never able to really sync up.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
In just one day? Not far – maybe only 400mi or so.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
Was up by York and the rain was coming down so hard I couldn’t see at all. Got lucky enough to stop at a Sheets, but they had the A/C on full blast and no seats so it was a cold and soggy wait for the rain to let up enough to get back out on the road to dry out.

Do you know how to work on your bike?
Only a little. I would change the oil and such on my first bike, but the Nomad is a little more complicated so I usually have it worked on by a shop as it goes though its maintenance milestones.

What is your favorite road song?
The one I’m listening to at the moment.

What was your most adventurous ride?
Not sure what this means… Honestly, it would probably be the first time I did a multi-state trip on my own. I ride up from Sterling to Ithaca in a day and hung out for a few days before riding down. The idea was just to see if I could do it before committing to other longer trips (Laconia and more recently Little Switzerland, NC).

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Any and all that I can get to. It’s a little tough to find time with elementary age kids, work, other life issues, etc… But just because I can’t make it to something doesn’t mean I don’t want to. I really enjoy hanging out with other bikers and just talking about rides, bikes, booze, and everything in-between.

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
Nope – which is fine. That means I can use that space for luggage.