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Featured Member - October 2007
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Name – Peter
Migala.. Haven't changed it .. really I
haven't..
Nickname –
Teach
Location –
As I type this.. Sitting on my couch.
Hometown –
Uh.. Hmmmm.. Washington DC, Bridgetown Barbados,
Fairfax Va., Anywhere Robin is.
Marital status – Duh..
Married (quite happily I might add)
Children – Robin and I only have a
cat. So take that as you wish..
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Age – Young
enough to still get in trouble.. Old enough to
supposedly know better..
Occupation –
Supervisory type.. sorta.. kinda..
Current motorcycle(s)
– 2000 Harley Davidson FLSTF FatBoy, 2003
Buell XB9R Firebolt
How did you hear about the
SCRC and when did you join?
Oh, wow.. now
you're talking about going back in time. Years
ago I worked with someone that was a member and
once I found out a little about the club, I
decided to join. Boy, that was what.. 7. 8
years ago? Believe it or not.. I'm one of the
original loonies in this chapter.. hehehehehehe...
How long have you been
riding?
Uh.. legally,
on the street? Somewhere past twenty years now.
Have you ever taken a
motorcycle safety course?
Oh yeah,
several as a matter of fact. Ask me some time
and maybe I can list them all...
What was your first bike?
Oh man.. you
had to ask.. (do mini-bikes with Black & Decker
engines count?) No? Then it would have to be a
Yamaha 305 (man that was a monster bike back
then.. )
How many bikes have you
owned?
Actually had
title too? I guess that would be about 5. Not
counting the mini-bike.
Why do you ride?
Wow, a 'Zen' question? I
guess I started riding because it looked cool
and I could actually afford it as opposed to a
car. Then, about ten minutes after I started
riding, I discovered the truth. Riding is the
cure to all that ails you. Even when I'm 'not
in the mood' to go riding, I can find myself
enjoying the run. There is a serenity to it that
you can't find in a car, or a bar or on a horse
or while tapping Morse.. (ok, that was bad,
sorry) .. Then there is the rush. The speed,
the wind in your face (even while wearing a full
face, yes) the idea of being able to control
this powerful, wild beast captured in metal,
plastic, rubber and glass.. The speed can be
quite a rush, as you can tell from my famous
'track outings' and tales of dragging parts of
ones body across the ground at high speed. So I
suppose the only thing more fun, more
interesting, more challenging, more.. well..
anything then riding a motorcycle is... riding..
well.. this is a family club so I'll stop
there..
Have you ridden with an
organized group before?
Not the way the
SCRC rides. I'd ridden with another club once
or twice and really didn't like it so much, so
the SCRC was my 'last chance' with groups since
I felt the other group wasn't for me. What do
you know, it wasn't.. and SCRC was.. So here I am.
What modifications have you
done to your bike?
Hmmm.. The
FatBoy has had a lot of chrome replaced with
painted parts. Braided lines, internal (in the
bars) wires. A 95 cubic inch upgrade to the
engine, foot boards for the assenger,
sissy bar (sort of), windshield for long rides,
some other little stuff, but hell, you got the
general idea.. As for the Buell, it's
'de-snorkeled', and a Drummer Stainless Steel
performance muffler installed. Black heel
guards, and a black wind deflector (it's not a
windshield, really it's not).. Oh, and I had to
remove the foot peg 'feelers'.. I kept grinding
them (I actually lost one at VIR.. Yes, while
riding on the track.. oops)
What accessories do you want
to add to your bike?
Uh.. The H-D?
More painted stuff.. I really don't want a ton
of chrome.. but that'll have to wait.. I guess..
On the Buell.. Uh.. I'm not really sure. Maybe
a 1200 fly wheel? Not really sure if I wanna go
big bore.. then again, are those accessories or
not?
What is your dream bike?
Right now?
Dang it keeps changing.. I guess I'd love to
have a Ducati, Desemosedici RR. A true bike
from hell..
What kind of riding do you
like to do – straight-aways or twisties?
Twisties ..
with a few straights tossed in for 'power runs'
LOL!
If you have a nickname, how
did you get it? Tell the truth!
How did I get
the name 'Teach'? OK. I'm a firearms
instructor. I have an email address that's
PistolTeach. So, when I joined a bunch of folks
wanted to call me 'Pistol'. I said no and
started listing some reasons. Someone said I
really did sound like a teacher and the next
thing you know.. I was 'Teach'.
What is your favorite riding
route?
I don't think we have
enough room for them all.. But if it's got
twists, straight aways, and is smooth and free of massive cage infestation.. I love it.. hehehehehehe...
Do you ride your bike to
work?
I wish. I have to wear a
suit at work and really don't have anywhere to
store clothing changes. I tried a couple of
times.. it was just impractical.
What is the fastest you’ve
ridden?
LOL! Let's
just say that 155 was the last time I looked at
the speedo. Or, if you prefer, I've covered 2.5
miles, 18 turns in 1:55 seconds.. or.. well..
OK, I've ridden kind of fast.. Just have to know
where and when to do it.
What is your favorite time of
year to ride?
For some
reason, spring and fall (before wet leave take
over) seem like my favorite, not too hot, not
too cold. It's comfortable and well.. life it
good.
Have you ever been down? If
so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from
the incident?
Let's see..
First time I went down I learned that VDOT sucks
when it comes to road maintenance as far as
motorcycles goes. Second time, DON'T MASH THE
DAMN BRAKES MORON! Third time.. In line fours
deliver a power spike around 8K rpm so you
shouldn't be on one knee going up hill when that
happens.
Have you ever done an “Iron
Butt” ride?
Not an organized one, I
mean with rules and a plan and all that.. but
back in the olden days.. I suppose I did.
If not, what is the furthest
you’ve ridden?
I did about 1100 miles
once.. one way.. damn talk about your sore
butt..
What was the worst weather in
which you’ve ridden?
Hmmm.. A about a decade and
a half or more ago, it was showing something
wicked as I rode the 65 miles or so home. I
remember stopping every so often, trying to keep
my balance as I shoved my hands into the engine
compartment to try and get back the feeling in
my fingers. I lost the ability to tell if I'd
shifted and occasionally found my self stomping
my feet to break off the ice and snow. Still
praying I was actually standing on something so the bike wouldn't fall over. I
guessed that at night like it was.. me dressed
in black.. well.. they may find me in a day or
three.. The worse ever two up on the other
hand, was a rain storm coming back from Key West
with Robin on the back. Couldn't see more then
three feet beyond the handle bars and the rain
was coming down as knife blades. Take your
pick.
Do you know how to work on
your bike?
Hmmmm..
Officially.. No way..on the other hand.. I do
know how to do a thing or two.. sorta.. Ihope..
maybe.
What is your favorite road
song?
Depends on the
road now doesn't it? Pick something between
'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' and 'Holy Wars...
The Punishment Due' .. or maybe something a bit
.. uh.. more virulent..
What was your most
adventurous ride?
Hmmm.. I think
that also falls under the 'there were so many,
how do you choose just one?' kind of thing.
What rallies or events do you
like to attend?
Racing. Some rallies are
ok. But a others.. Give me a break... I think
my favorite events are really the ones where
there are good friends and we're out for some
nice rides..
Is there someone who rides
“two-up” with you?
Not any more.. now she
rides all her own! hehehehehe.. Damn it's
infectious!
Off the cuff from…Teach
Uh.. Hmmm.. great.. now I'm
at a loss for words.. Maybe I should have
written this part first? Maybe folks need to
come out and check out some of the other stuff
that goes on in the motorcycle world. I don't
know how many of you check out the racing, but I
think some of you may really like it. Then
there are all the incredible things that go on
when you're riding. Like what? Just look around
and see the world and enjoy the ride. Now, be
safe out there.. and have fun. Later...
Teach...
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