SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - December, 2007

Also Featured:
September, 2015


Name:   Michele Capozzi

Nickname:   Sunshine

Marital Status:  Married to Rob "Throttle" for 12 years-he’s the best one!

Location:  Leesburg, VA

Hometown:  Alexandria, VA

Children:  None!

Age:  35

Occupation:  Senior Marketing Manager

Current motorcycle(s):  1989 Honda CB-1 400cc and 2005 Yamaha V-star Classic 1100

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
We joined in the summer of 2005 after we got the V-star when we had a renewed interest in riding. I think Rob did some Googling and found the chapter-what a stroke of good luck!

How long have you been riding?
As a rider since November 2005 and a passenger on Rob’s various bikes since 1991.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yes, in November 2005 at Lord Fairfax Community College in Winchester. It was a blast. I had patient and kind instructors, despite me almost running over one of them in an unfortunate lesson on target fixation.

What was your first bike?
The CB-1 is the first I’ve driven. I love this bike and sometimes slip and call it "my bike" (see below).

How many bikes have you owned?
None. Both of our current rides are Rob’s, although the V-star also has my name on the title, yet I’m not allowed to ride it.

Why do you ride?
Initially, I took the riding course because one of my female friends encouraged me, something about Girl Power. I wanted to challenge myself to see if I would be any good at it, if I could even keep it upright and do all of the shifting. Something clicked and I’m addicted. It’s pure joy. I get to be with Rob and our amazing SCRC friends, my stresses disappear once the helmet goes on, and I experience roads I would never enjoy as much by car.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
None before SCRC.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
I had to ask Rob for help on this question since he does the work: Safety wired a few key bolts, added the front half fairing with the windscreen, a few lighting mods, and added gel cushion grips. Rob also replaced some of the older parts, like signals and switches. Plus the training wheels when I first started riding (joking).

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
None. I really like everything about it.

What is your dream bike?
I would like to test out a Ducati, any model will do, red of course. Something about my preference for fast Italians, if you know what I mean?? And maybe a Goldwing (Rob will be all over this) to keep me comfy on long rides and trunk space for extra outfits, shopping, etc.

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
Twisties of course, but with straight-aways afterwards to catch my breath. I will never forget Teach’s Nova Loop in 2006 through Clifton’s twisties, not long after getting my license. Robin said it would be a nice, easy ride. Ha! It was really challenging as a newbie.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
I don’t have a nickname. If I get one, I hope it’s not something embarrassing like "Thong".

What is your favorite riding route?
My two favorite routes this year were on our overnight trips to Blackwater Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I don’t remember the road names, but both had exceptional scenery and we had such a fun party on those trips.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Tried it once, but there is a lot of stop and go traffic on my route which seems to defeat the purpose of riding.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
Don’t laugh, probably 70 mph riding myself, and about 100mph as a passenger on the back of some crazy guy’s bike.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Early spring, when we first get out after being cooped up all winter, and in the Fall when it’s finally cool.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
I have dropped the bike twice when stopped, no injuries. Embarrassing. Rob had to replace the parts that were bent.

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
No. Nothing about this sounds appealing!

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
In one day my furthest was about 180 miles total round trip on the CB1. On the back of the VStar with Rob, my longest was probably the Blue Ridge Parkway weekend trip at about 500 miles.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
Only sprinkles and mist. I’m definitely a fair weather rider.

Do you know how to work on your bike?
No way. That’s Rob’s job.

What is your favorite road song?
I like most everything from Mozart to Nine Inch Nails.

What was your most adventurous ride?
There were two this year. On the way back from Lady Go’s Colonial Beach trip, in the middle of somewhere, the sky was pitch black and lightning was shooting every which way, with thunder we could feel in our chests. MaryAnn led us to safety and found the only covered gas station with just 5 minutes to spare before the sky exploded. The second trip was the morning pre-ride for Frank’s picnic in the most dense fog I’ve experienced. It was surreal!

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
No rallies yet, but Rob wants to go to Sturgis. The Rolling Thunder weekend is one of the highlights of our riding year.

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
No, I’ve never had a passenger and don’t think I’d like the responsibility or the extra weight.

Off the cuff from...Sunshine
I can’t express how much joy the SCRC has brought to us. I truly look forward to our rides, spending time with everyone at the socials and the chapter meetings. The members of this chapter are unbelievably generous, fun-loving, caring and welcoming. It’s amazing how many great friends we’ve made in just two year’s time, and each month the Loudoun chapter grows with wonderful new members joining the SCRC riding family. It is a gift to be part of this chapter!