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Featured Member - August 2007
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Name – Marlene
Gaffey
Nickname –
Marnie
Location –
Herndon, VA
Hometown –
Portland, Oregon
Marital status –
Married
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Children – 2 - Shannon
& Ashley (Little Biker Chicks - LBC's) + Gutter
Age – Golly
gettin a bit personal here 'eh? Celebrated
the 19th anniversary of my 21st birthday.
Occupation –
IT - Senior Systems Integrator
Current motorcycle(s)
– 2006 Heritage Softail Classic
How did you hear about the
SCRC and when did you join?
Heard about
SCRC from Kari's friend Pam in New York. She
heard that I'd gotten back into riding and said
that she REALLY liked her SCRC Chapter and that
I should look into it as well. Though she did
suggest the Fairfax chapter - thinking it was
closer to home. VERY happy that we found the
Loudoun Chapter.
How long have you been
riding?
Started when I
was 16 - but that was on a moped; does that
count? it *was* a two-wheeled motorized
vehicle!! Took nine years off, starting just
before Shannon was born.
Have you ever taken a
motorcycle safety course?
Nope.
What was your first bike?
Yamaha 185
(think it was an Exciter) probably an early 80's
model. If I remember right, top speed was about
55.
How many bikes have you
owned?
Yamaha 185,
Honda Sliverwing (1981), Suzuki 125 (dirt bike),
Suzuki Boulevard C50 (2005), and the Harley
Softail (2006)
Why do you ride?
Because there
is no better way to get from Here to There!
Have you ridden with an
organized group before?
Not before Loudoun SCRC.
What modifications have you
done to your bike?
This one?
Handgrips, luggage rack.
What accessories do you want
to add to your bike?
Passenger
floorboards, shorter windshield, braided lines.
What is your dream bike?
Got it!!
What kind of riding do you
like to do – straight-aways or twisties?
Both -
straight-aways are a great way for me to
'meditate' - time to think while feeling the
wind and the miles roll by... twisties just for
fun.
If you have a nickname, how
did you get it? Tell the truth!
Marnie - 'cause
my mom is also Marlene and she got tired of
being called "Big Marlene"! so 'bout the time
Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Marnie" came out - my
aunt gave me the moniker and it's been that
forever.
What is your favorite riding
route?
Don't have a favorite -
most of the area is new to me - and even the
road that we ride often (Lime Kiln, etc) are
great in all four season.
Do you ride your bike to
work?
Yes (unless
it's snowing or pouring rain)
What is the fastest you’ve
ridden?
Riding: 110mph
on the Honda; 2-up: I stopped looking after we
crossed 130.
What is your favorite time of
year to ride?
Autumn -
changing colors and cooler temps. Though Spring
would have to be a close second - as soon as
it's warm enough to ride without my jacket.
Have you ever been down? If
so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from
the incident?
Other than the
occasional tip overs at <5mph... I dumped a
friend's Virago out on 211 doing about 95. The
back end started to slide so we went 4-wheelin'
in the median. I have a small (less than an
inch) scar on my right knee and and I pulled a
ligament in my left hand (where it tried to take
out the mirror). I think I've been hurt worse
on my bicycle or my skateboard. What did I
learn? Ensure that your two-up passenger
doesn't try to lean in the corner; that 95 on
211 isn't a bright idea; and having the right
gear (helmet, jacket, jeans, boots, gloves) make
all the difference in the world when the rubber
comes off of the road.
Have you ever done an “Iron
Butt” ride?
No, but I want
to
If not, what is the furthest
you’ve ridden?
In a day?
recently 650miles. Back in 1986, 770 miles from
Portland to Susanville, CA. Didn't know there
was such a thing as an IB then, or we would have
pushed on :-)
What was the worst weather in
which you’ve ridden?
Snow in Phoenix
on my 185... skidding along with my feet down
like skis. Although a REALLY Close second would
have to be the rain storm/down pour outside of
Indianapolis last summer - sky so dark, rain
pouring so fast it was tough to see the
taillights in front of me, let alone the lines
on the road.
Do you know how to work on
your bike?
Used to work on the 185 and
occasionally (changing the oil, etc) on the
Honda. But not on this one.
What is your favorite road
song?
Don't have one
What was your most
adventurous ride?
2006 trip to
Sturgis.
What rallies or events do you
like to attend?
I have only
been to Sturgis (other than day events like the
ride to Carlisle) - and even then - we didn't
stay in town and did more riding everywhere
else... so guess I have an "N/A" answer on this
one.
Is there someone who rides
“two-up” with you?
The LBCs (and Gutter when
he *hasta*!), my girlfriend Meredith, but now
that she bought the Suzuki's, probably not any
more :-)
Off the cuff from…Marnie
I didn't realize how much I'd
missed riding after we'd had the girls until
just last year when we started up again. I am
grateful that my entire family enjoys it and it
is something that we can do together. Looking
back over the past year and a half since we
joined this chapter of SCRC, we've been busy,
met lots of wonderful people and can't imagine a
better group to enjoy our new found
(remembered?) hobby. Thanks for Loudoun
becoming our extended family!
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Marnie & Roger 'Gutter' |
Shannon, Marnie & Ashley |
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