How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?

I found out about the SCRC in 2000 just when the FO of the North Shore, MA Chapter was stepping down - so I became the FO of the Chapter the day I joined the SCRC. LOL!

How long have you been riding?

Legally, since 1957. We won't talk about the time before that!

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?

Several. I think everyone should take one or more courses every few years in order to refresh rusty skills.

What was your first bike?

A 250cc Zundapp two-stroke single. Horrible bike. (laughing) I never did get it running right, but I rode it. ;-)

How many bikes have you owned?

Ack! I have no idea - something over twenty or so, anyway.

Why do you ride?

Because I can. (laughing) Because I have to. Because I get *really* bad when I'm not riding for any length of time. If I haven't been riding for some months, you do NOT want to be around me!

Have you ridden with an organized group before?

I used to ride with all kinds of folks back in the 60s and 70s and 80s...

What modifications have you done to your bike?

Which one? On the Harley, rebuilt the motor from the cases up and changed out the tranny gearset. Did a huge amount of motor stuff to that one, resulting in 70 hp and 70 ft/lbs on the last dyno run (prolly more now, with 4mm more in the carb throat). The motor is still stock displacement and compression. On the BMW, added a large quantity of farkles and power distribution capability to match.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?

Which one? The Harley has a set of SE heads waiting to go on, a new ignition, new main harness, a belt drive setup, and more... The BMW needs an espresso maker. ;-)

What is your dream bike?

If I could have any bikes I wanted, I have a list of thirty or forty. ;-)

What kind of riding do you like to do  straight-aways or twisties?

Yes. ;-)

If you have a nickname, how did you get it?  Tell the truth!

I got my original roadname back in the early 1960s - it was "Professor." I'm not sure why everyone called me that. (laughing) I dropped it when I became "Doctor PC" and most everyone started calling me "Doc."

What is your favorite riding route?

Any road that isn't dirt or gravel.

Do you ride your bike to work?

When there is no snow, ice, or road salt on the roads. (I have sparky clothes to help me ride in the winter.)

What is the fastest youve ridden?

About 138 mph in the dead of night on I-95 north of Boston on a VF1100 Honda.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?

Any time I can get on a bike! LOL!

Have you ever been down?  If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?

I went down on the road about a month after I bought my first new bike - I'd been down in the dirt more than once, but that doesn't count. I came around a blind corner that I'd been around at least a hundred times before... Except that this particular time, a sand truck had been through it before me. He dumped a goodly quantity of sand in the road, and I had no way to avoid it so I low-sided the bike. Slid for some yards, and ended up lying against the curb at the side of the road. The bike slid further, and knocked down my doctor's mailbox. ;-)

Collected a nice selection of road rash in several places and spent over an hour scrubbing it out with soap and a laundry brush.

Since then I have NEVER gone into a corner without being able to stop within the distance I can actually SEE the road ahead.

Have you ever done an Iron Butt ride?

Nope, never been a "Iron Butter" but I'd like to, some day.

If not, what is the furthest youve ridden?

In one day, about 800 miles. In one tour, about 2100 miles in five days.

What was the worst weather in which youve ridden?

Has to be the two winters I spent in New Jersey without a car. I was riding a Triumph TR6.

Do you know how to work on your bike?

I do.

What is your favorite road song?

I have far too many to count; my favorite changes from day to day and ride to ride.

What was your most adventurous ride?

That would have to be a Labor Day ride to the north shore of Nova Scotia back in 1984. It rained most of the time, and it was about 35-45 most of the time. I spent three evenings lying in a bath tub full of warm water. (laughing)

What rallies or events do you like to attend?

The Harley Rendezvous Classic in upstate New York was prolly the most fun. "Partying with 10,000 of my closest friends." (laughing) I've also been to the Hunter Harley Fest a few times, Laconia about five times, and some small club rallies many times over the years.

Is there someone who rides two-up with you?

Yes, there is. She got her MSF while I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway in June, so she may well end up riding her own sometimes as well. ;-)


Off the cuff from The Doctor
"Always remember: It doesn't matter what you ride as long as it has two good wheels. (laughing) Try to avoid riding bikes which have only one good wheel. ;-)"