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Featured Member - June 2006
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Name – Frank Beck
Nickname – Smiley
Location – “Between”
Hamilton and Waterford, VA off of Route 9.
Hometown – Born in
western PA (ever hear of Gallitzin?? It’s near
Altoona.), but most of my “youth”, through
undergraduate school, was spent in Philadelphia.
Marital status –
widower as of almost six years ago
Children – three girls
(each one knock down gorgeous!)
Age – 62 (yes, another
Geezer!)
Occupation – two years
retired from U.S. Geological Survey
Current motorcycle(s)
– 2003 Harley Sportster XLH
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How did you hear about the
SCRC and when did you join?
From another member (Marion
Rogers, thanks!) Don’t remember exactly when I
joined. About two months ago?
How long have you been
riding?
A couple of years “way back”,
and most recently for about six years.
Have you ever taken a
motorcycle safety course?
Yes, the MSF basic and
advanced rider courses.
What was your first bike?
Way back it was a Harley 250
“Sprint”. Had it a few years, my younger brother
wrecked it while I was in college, he bought me a
new one, but soon I was out of the area and in the
Army and it was sold. My recent riding began on a
Honda Shadow (600?) for a couple years before
getting the Sportster.
How many bikes have you
owned?
Three, if you count the
Sprint, Honda and current Sportster.
Why do you ride?
To enjoy the “freedom”, fresh
air, sunshine, and camaraderie of fellow riders
especially in group riding. I’ll confess that I
occasionally enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass,
or perfume/cologne or cigarette/cigar smoke from
the convertible in front of me. You’ll never get
that in a car! As I told a few people at the last
social, when I ride up next to someone on four
wheels, and I don’t care WHAT kind of four wheels
it is, I firmly believe that they are not enjoying
the same thrill, excitement, and freedom as I am
enjoying from being on two wheels. It is all in
the “feeling”. “If you have to explain it, they
will never understand”?!
Have you ridden with an
organized group before?
I’m still a member of Lady
Rider and ride with them occasionally. But, I
find the SCRC meeting and ride locations much more
convenient. Plus, with more members, SCRC offers
a great “social” aspect to the experience.
What modifications have you
done to your bike?
I bought the bike used over
two years ago. The previous owner made all the
modifications (pipes, bars, lights,) I had the
forward controls added.
What accessories do you want
to add to your bike?
Right now I don’t know of
anything I would add. I like it the way it is.
What is your dream bike?
Possibly a larger Harley.
Something between the Sportster and Ultra
Classic. How’s that for being nonspecific! But,
as I say, pretty happy with what I have now.
What kind of riding do you
like to do – straight-aways or twisties?
A bit of both. If forced to
choose, would go with mild twisties.
If you have a nickname, how
did you get it? Tell the truth!
“Smiley” is pretty much self
given. I’ve used it for user ID’s, passwords,
etc… I generally consider myself pretty easy
going, laid back, and up beat, so,…, Smiley? Of
course, it was also an attempt to get you all to
back off in your attempts to find one for me!
What is your favorite riding
route?
I lean toward short rides and
therefore like the local routes best. I often go
around the Bluemont, Hillsboro, Round Hill, Mt.
Weather, areas. They are right in my “back
yard”. And, they are the ones I ride the most.
But, some of the Blue Ridge Parkway and vicinity
roads are fantastic.
Do you ride your bike to
work?
Back when I used to work for
a living, yes. Not everyday, but weather
permitting, I rode.
What is the fastest you’ve
ridden?
Compared to others in the
club, I am a slow poke! Probably around 85 would
be the tops (with my daughter behind me?!!)
What is your favorite time of
year to ride?
I generally like the Fall.
The changing colors and longer stretches of really
nice weather are hard to beat.
Have you ever been down? If
so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from
the incident?
Yes, October 2001, an
approaching pickup truck turned left in front of
me. I probably overreacted on the brakes and went
down on my left side with my leg under the bike.
As I slid down my lane on my stomach two vehicles
passed going in the opposite direction! So, it
could have been a lot worse. I mangled my left
ankle. Also some very bad scrapes on my elbows
and especially the left knee and ankle. Even the
orthopedic surgeon was impressed and commented
many times on how bad it was! As he put it, I was
“going north and my foot was going south”… OUCH!
It happened directly in front of the Lovettsville
fire and rescue squad building on Rt. 287. They
were having a picnic so they merely opened their
doors, scooped me up off the highway (after
cutting off my jacket and pant legs) and put me in
the rescue vehicle and we were off to the
hospital. Never touched the pickup and he swore
to the trooper that he “never saw me” (with my red
helmet and red bike?).
Have you ever done an “Iron
Butt” ride?
No.
If not, what is the furthest
you’ve ridden?
About 300 miles in a day.
Which, these days, is way more than enough!
What was the worst weather in
which you’ve ridden?
Just heavy rains, and not for
very long. I try to avoid the nasty stuff and
have done a pretty good job of it so far.
Do you know how to work on
your bike?
Yes, the simple stuff. I do
a lot of work on cars but I suppose I feel that
with four wheels touching the road I have a bigger
margin of error. With the bike, I’ll leave the
complicated stuff to a professional. I like to
use “Mountain Hog” off of Route 9 out past me.
What is your favorite road
song?
Born to be Wild! Not that I
listen to that or any other music as I ride. It
just seems to go perfectly with biking.
What was your most
adventurous ride?
Probably some of the Blue
Ridge and vicinity roads. When they say “5 MPH”
you know you’ve arrived!!
What rallies or events do you
like to attend?
I haven’t been to the really
big, and usually distant, rallies or events. They
just don’t seem to be my “thing” and don’t hold a
strong attraction for me. I’ve enjoyed Rolling
Thunder, LAW ride, poker rides, etc…. I primarily
go for the smaller more “local” happenings. I
guess it is the “age thing” showing itself again.
(Does that mean I’m smart enough to know
better??!!) Maybe SCRC will change all that?!
Is there someone who rides
“two-up” with you?
My daughter in Chicago has
her own Sportster (even though it is stored in my
garage) so now she probably wouldn’t be caught
dead behind me (but she used to!) My other two
daughters enjoy the occasional ride with the
“freedom and speed”. A few others have been on
that uncomfortable rear seat, but nobody on a
regular basis. That is about it.
Off the cuff from…Smiley
"I was totally blown away
when asked to be member of the month. I objected,
mildly, that I was very much a rookie/newbee/FNG
(a popular acronym in the Army?) and hadn’t been
around enough to be asked. So I’m honored. I’ve
gotten a lot from the fine people I’ve meet in the
club. And, it goes way beyond the riding
experience. It’s the warm welcome, companionship,
and good times while off the bike that I enjoy
most. I hope to meet more of you and continue to
grow with the experience. Thanks to one and all."
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