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Featured Member -
August 2005
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Name
– Karen Moore
Nickname – Cookie
Location –
Berryville, VA
Hometown
– Moved a lot growing up. I was born in Southern California, then we
moved to Silver City, NM for a few years, then to Tucson, AZ, then back
to California, and ended up in Harlingen, TX before joining the Army and
being assigned in VA. The area I lived in has been in the news lately
because of weather. Harlingen is close to Brownsville and South Padre
Island, down in the Rio Grande Valley. But I’ve lived in VA for over 20
years now….more than half my life. Guess that makes it home for me now!
Marital Status
-
Happily (most of the time) married for almost 6 years to Carl( who is
also a member).
Children
– None of my own. Two stepsons. One visits every other weekend.
Age
– 39. Planning a party for the big 4-0 next year!
Occupation
– Police Officer
Current motorcycle
–
2002 HD
Heritage Softail Classic.
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How did you
hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
Carl was running a tow truck part-time back in
August 2000. One day a bunch of bikes rolled into
Plaza Texaco (now Shell) to get fuel. It is
located right there at the corner of Plaza Street
and Rt. 7 in Leesburg across from the Roy Roger’s
where we meet for our rides. He started talking to
them. Turns out one of them was Willi (the first
first officer of the chapter, for those of you who
don’t know him). He invited us to join. The rest,
as they say, is history.
How long have you been riding?
Got my license in November 2000 and my first bike
in February 2001.
Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yeah. Took it in October 2000. Got in last
minute into a class at the Alexandria campus of
the NOVA Community College. Great course.
What was your first bike?
A 1999 HD Dyna Convertible.
How many bikes have you owned?
Two
Why do you ride?
I never understood the addiction until I did
it, even though Carl talked about it a lot, since
he’s been riding for 20+ years. Then I rode on the
back with Carl. Then I took the course and got my
own. Now I completely understand the addiction. No
matter how bad your day or week has been, or how
angry or cranky you might be, you get on your bike
and ride and it’s like that air just blows all of
the stress off of you, even if it’s only for the
time you are riding. It’s amazing and relaxing.
Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Only with the SCRC
What modifications have you done to your bike?
I’ve just added different chrome pieces.
Nothing major.
What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
I’m actually fine with it the way it is, other
than wanting a custom paint job. What do I want,
you ask? Well, that will be a surprise!
What is your dream bike?
I’m riding it. My Heritage was my dream bike
when I first started riding. Then in 2003, my
dream came true!
What kind of riding do you like to do –
straight-aways or twisties?
A combo of both
If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell
the truth!
Well, I knew that if members didn’t have a
nickname when they came in, they usually got one
through an incident (often an embarrassing one)
that happened in front of the group. So, I went
ahead and nicknamed myself. The firefighters I
know at Dulles used to call me The Cookie Lady,
since I used to bake for them all the time. I
shortened it to Cookie.
What is your favorite riding route?
Scenic country roads. One of my favorite
routes I’ve ridden is a backroads route to
Battlefield HD in Gettysburg. It’s about 85 miles
and takes you through backroads, small towns, and
has a minimal of big roads (a bit of time on 340).
Do you ride your bike to work?
No. Feels kind of awkward riding on my bike in
uniform, plus I usually have my briefcase with me.
Plus it’s only a 3.1 mile commute, so it doesn’t
seem worth firing the bike up for that. I rode
occasionally to my work at my last job.
What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
About 85 on I-81. Don’t like riding fast. I
like to cruise and meander.
What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Fall. I love the turning of the leaves and the
colors.
Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt
and what did you learn from the incident?
Yeah. Once. Put my first bike under a
guardrail the night I got it. They had to get a
lift to raise the guardrail to get my bike out. I
was lucky and walked away with some bruises and a
dislocated thumb (couldn’t ride for 6 months
because of that). I learned several things. They
weren’t lying in the MSF course when they said
“don’t use your front brake on gravel” and “look
where you want to go”. I came on that curve and
saw the 15mph max safe speed sign and thought “I
take this curve at 40 in my car”. I was going too
fast was headed into that guardrail, then hit
gravel and jammed on that front brake. So, I guess
I learned 4 things: Look where you want to go;
don’t use front brake on gravel; when the signs
says slow down, they aren’t kidding; never try to
ride beyond your ability.
Have you ever done an “Iron Butt” ride?
Nope. Probably won’t. I’m not in it for that
kind of thing. Doesn’t meet with my meandering
mentality.
If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
I’ve ridden to Niagara Falls, Canada and
Gatlinburg, TN.
What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
It poured for over 75% of the way to Niagara
Falls. I was wearing fingerless gloves and it
rained so hard, it actually hurt my fingers.
Do you know how to work on your bike?
No. No huge desire to learn.
What is your favorite road song?
Rollin’, by Limp Biskit.
What was your most adventurous ride?
Probably Niagara or Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg was
blast because I got to ride in the Great Smoky
Mountains.
What rallies or events do you like to attend?
I try to go to Outer Banks Bike Week (which is
really just an excuse to be in the Outer Banks)
and Delmarva Bike Week every year. We usually go
to Gettysburg Bike Week for a day. I hope one day
to make Sturgis, just to say I did.
Is there someone who rides “two-up” with you?
No. I’ve never ridden a passenger. Don’t have
any plans to any time soon.
Off the cuff from…Cookie
"Riding is one of my great joys, that I never seem
to get to do enough of (partly because I am
weather dependent). But through riding, I have met
some fantastic people and made some great
life-long friends. I tell people who don’t ride
but are “thinking” about it that if they try it,
they will too understand the addiction."
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