SCRC Loudoun VA #156

Featured Member - April 2006

	Name – Roger Gaffey Nickname – Rothai Location – Herndon, VA Hometown – THE WORLD. I’m a Navy brat and have lived all over. Would have to call Oceanside, CA as hometown now, that’s were the folks live and I lived the longest. Marital status – Yes, Marnie is also a member of SCRC and rides her own metric cruiser Children – Shannon 8 & Ashley 5 they are our little biker chicks! Age – 38 (a young whipper snapper according to Geezer! LOL) Occupation – IT Project Manager Current motorcycle(s) – 2004 Suzuki Volusia
How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join? Well we heard about SCRC from a friend of ours who started riding with the chapter in Rochester, NY. And then Marnie & I joined the Loudon Chapter in December 2005 How long have you been riding? I grew up riding in the desert of California on dirt bikes and enduro’s, so almost 25 years ago, then took a long absence from the saddle until last year! Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course? Yes, many years ago when I first started riding, found it very helpful and certainly learnt skills that kept me alive in my youth. Taking the VA courses in April to help reduce the insurance on the bikes! What was your first bike? 2004 Suzuki Volusia How many bikes have you owned? We own 2 Suzuki’s - 2004 Volusia and 2005 Boulevard C50 (basically same the bikes, but the C50 is fuel injected) Why do you ride? For me/us it’s not about the destination, it is truly about the journey. Am a very outdoors person and always have been like that, enjoy the peace of the open road, seeing natures wonders and just taking a break from life and cruising along. Have you ridden with an organized group before? Only desert rides with a group, this is first truly organized group. And am loving the camaraderie and people here at SCRC! What modifications have you done to your bike? Changed the grips & saddle bags, but that’s about it, this was a get back in the saddle bike. Next bike will be modified and worked on a bit more! What accessories do you want to add to your bike? Am going to get rid of the pegs and add floorboards and heel toe shifter. What is your dream bike? It’s a toss up between the Heritage Softail Classic & the Road King Classic, and could be a reality in the next year or two. What kind of riding do you like to do – straight-aways or twisties? Enjoy both aspects of riding, like to get into the twisties, rocking back and forth is good down a windy road. Also at times like the thoughtlessness of just cruising down the straight-aways in a more laissez-faire manner. If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth! Well being half Irish and doing a little studying of Gaelic, stumbled across the word for rider and it just fit - Rothai What is your favorite riding route? Haven’t done a lot of distance rides around VA as yet and am really looking forward to getting in to the Appalachians and Shenandoah and seeing some of the beauty out there! Do you ride your bike to work? Yes, ride as much as possible conditions permitting don’t ride in the rain or snow and do prefer it to be above freezing. But otherwise any day is a good day to ride! What is the fastest you’ve ridden? I have been up to 120 on a crotch rocket, exciting and scared me silly at the same time! What is your favorite time of year to ride? Well definitely enjoy the early part of Fall when the weathers still warm but with a hint of what’s coming and the foliage is changing colors. Just think that is one of my favorite times of the year. Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident? Yes dropped an enduro many years ago, walked away with some nice strawberries on my leg & butt. Got lucky as it was near a rather steep cliff and could have been a lot worse! Learnt that the transition from gravel to fine sand is a bitch! Also was carrying too much speed in a turn.. ah the follies of youthful invulnerability. Have you ever done an “Iron Butt” ride? NO, but we have been talking with friends about the Virginia IB circuit and that is something that we are considering for later this year. If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden? 300 mi but that will be changing as the weather warms up! What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden? I have ridden in the rain, were it felt like little knives cutting into your face, or the gusty 60+ mile hour winds that move you around the road in a second. It’s a toss up as to which one was worst! Do you know how to work on your bike? Yes I do some minimal maintenance and put on gear, but leave the big stuff for the shop. Tend to use Champion Motor Sports simply because they are close and have given us good service. What is your favorite road song? Anything by Chris LeDoux!! What was your most adventurous ride? Hmmm well think that would have to be back those many years ago when I was riding in the desert out in the canyons and got caught in a torrential downpour. We had flash flooding down the canyon and were riding in a good 4-6 inches of rapidly moving water, zipping from side to side and spraying rooster tails, while exiting the narrow part of the canyon. Looking forward to our trek to Sturgis this year too top that by far! What rallies or events do you like to attend? We are riding to Sturgis with friends this year, and planning on attending some other rallies such as Myrtle and Rolling Thunder as well. We’ll see what else we get to. Is there someone who rides “two-up” with you? Yes, either of my little biker chicks, they love to ride! Off the cuff from…Rothai "I have been truly blessed and lucky to find a best friend and partner who shares so many of my own passions and to have 2 wonderful little girls. We enjoy traveling, SCUBA diving and riding to name a few, but also those quiet times at home are just as special. Truly living our lives to the fullest with … Fair winds and following seas! Let’s ride!"
Marnie Gaffey	Shannon & Ashley "The Biker Chicks"