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Featured Member - December 2007
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Name –
Michele Capozzi
Nickname –
None yet
Location –
Leesburg, VA
Hometown –
Alexandria, VA
Marital status –
Married to Rob “Throttle” for 12 years—he’s the
best one!
Children –
None!
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Age –
35
Occupation –
Senior Marketing Manager
Current motorcycle(s)
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1989 Honda CB-1 400cc and 2005 Yamaha V-star
Classic 1100
How did you hear about the
SCRC and when did you join?
We joined in the summer of 2005 after we got the
V-star when we had a renewed interest in riding.
I think Rob did some Googling and found the
chapter—what a stroke of good luck!
How long have you been
riding?
As a rider since November 2005 and a passenger
on Rob’s various bikes since 1991.
Have you ever taken a
motorcycle safety course?
Yes, in November 2005 at Lord Fairfax Community
College in Winchester. It was a blast. I had
patient and kind instructors, despite me almost
running over one of them in an unfortunate
lesson on target fixation.
What was your first bike?
The CB-1 is the first I’ve driven. I love this
bike and sometimes slip and call it “my bike”
(see below).
How many bikes have you
owned?
None. Both of our current rides are Rob’s,
although the V-star also has my name on the
title, yet I’m not allowed to ride it.
Why do you ride?
Initially, I took the riding course because one
of my female friends encouraged me, something
about Girl Power. I wanted to challenge myself
to see if I would be any good at it, if I could
even keep it upright and do all of the shifting.
Something clicked and I’m addicted. It’s pure
joy. I get to be with Rob and our amazing SCRC
friends, my stresses disappear once the helmet
goes on, and I experience roads I would never
enjoy as much by car.
Have you ridden with an
organized group before?
None before SCRC.
What modifications have you
done to your bike?
I had to ask Rob for help on this question since
he does the work: Safety wired a few key bolts,
added the front half fairing with the
windscreen, a few lighting mods, and added gel
cushion grips. Rob also replaced some of the
older parts, like signals and switches. Plus the
training wheels when I first started riding
(joking).
What accessories do you want
to add to your bike?
None. I really like everything about it.
What is your dream bike?
I would like to test out a Ducati, any model
will do, red of course. Something about my
preference for fast Italians, if you know what I
mean?? And maybe a Goldwing (Rob will be all
over this) to keep me comfy on long rides and
trunk space for extra outfits, shopping, etc.
What kind of riding do you
like to do – straight-aways or twisties?
Twisties of course, but with straight-aways
afterwards to catch my breath. I will never
forget Teach’s Nova Loop in 2006 through
Clifton’s twisties, not long after getting my
license. Robin said it would be a nice, easy
ride. Ha! It was really challenging as a newbie.
If you have a nickname, how
did you get it? Tell the truth!
I don’t have a nickname. If I get one, I hope
it’s not something embarrassing like “Thong”.
What is your favorite riding
route?
My two favorite routes this year were on our
overnight trips to Blackwater Falls and the Blue
Ridge Parkway. I don’t remember the road names,
but both had exceptional scenery and we had such
a fun party on those trips.
Do you ride your bike to
work?
Tried it once, but there is a lot of stop and go
traffic on my route which seems to defeat the
purpose of riding.
What is the fastest you’ve
ridden?
Don’t laugh… probably 70 mph riding myself, and
about 100mph as a passenger on the back of some
crazy guy’s bike.
What is your favorite time of
year to ride?
Early spring, when we first get out after being
cooped up all winter, and in the Fall when it’s
finally cool.
Have you ever been down? If
so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from
the incident?
I have
dropped the bike twice when stopped, no
injuries. Embarrassing. Rob had to replace the
parts that were bent.
Have you ever done an “Iron
Butt” ride?
No. Nothing about this sounds appealing!
If not, what is the furthest
you’ve ridden?
In one day my furthest was about 180 miles total
round trip on the CB1. On the back of the VStar
with Rob, my longest was probably the Blue Ridge
Parkway weekend trip at about 500 miles.
What was the worst weather in
which you’ve ridden?
Only sprinkles and mist. I’m definitely a fair
weather rider.
Do you know how to work on
your bike?
No way. That’s Rob’s job.
What is your favorite road
song?
I like most everything from Mozart to Nine Inch
Nails.
What was your most
adventurous ride?|
There were
two this year. On the way back from Lady Go’s
Colonial Beach trip, in the middle of somewhere,
the sky was pitch black and lightning was
shooting every which way, with thunder we could
feel in our chests. MaryAnn led us to safety and
found the only covered gas station with just 5
minutes to spare before the sky exploded. The
second trip was the morning pre-ride for Frank’s
picnic in the most dense fog I’ve experienced.
It was surreal!
What rallies or events do you
like to attend?
No rallies
yet, but Rob wants to go to Sturgis. The Rolling
Thunder weekend is one of the highlights of our
riding year.
Is there someone who rides
“two-up” with you?
No, I’ve
never had a passenger and don’t think I’d like
the responsibility or the extra weight.
Off the cuff from…Michele
I can’t
express how much joy the SCRC has brought to us.
I truly look forward to our rides, spending time
with everyone at the socials and the chapter
meetings. The members of this chapter are
unbelievably generous, fun-loving, caring and
welcoming. It’s amazing how many great friends
we’ve made in just two year’s time, and each
month the Loudoun chapter grows with wonderful
new members joining the SCRC riding family. It
is a gift to be part of this chapter!
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