SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - October, 2007

Name:   Peter Migala

Nickname:   Teach

Marital Status:  Duh.. Married (quite happily I might add)

Location:  As I type this.. Sitting on my couch.

Hometown:  Uh.. Hmmmm.. Washington DC, Bridgetown Barbados, Fairfax Va., Anywhere Robin is.

Children:  Robin and I only have a cat. So take that as you wish.

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 passenger, 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.. I hope.. 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 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,