SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - August, 2007

Name:   Marnie Gaffey

Nickname:   Blade

Marital Status:  Married.

Location:  Herndon, VA

Hometown:  Portland, Oregon

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...Blade
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!