SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - March, 2014

Name:   Roger Gaffey

Nickname:   Gutter

Marital Status:  Happily so, to Marnie "Blade"

Location:  Herndon, VA

Hometown:  Oceanside, CA (well that's what I think of as home!)

Children:  Shannon - 16 (and driving.. EEK!) Ashley - 13

Age:  45

Occupation:  Senior Program Manager

Current motorcycle(s):  2003 HD Ultra Classic

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
I joined in December 2005 with Marnie after we found out about SCRC from a friend in Rochester, NY.

How long have you been riding?
This go around 9 years, grew up riding dirt & enduros in the CA desert.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yes, MSF course through NOVA out in Winchester.

What was your first bike?
First bike I owned out right myself was 2004 Suzuki Volusia.

How many bikes have you owned?
3 bikes, 2004 Suzuki Volusia, 2006 HD Softail Classic and the current 2003 HD Ultra Classic.

Why do you ride?
For me/us it’s not about the destination, it is truly about the journey. I am a very outdoors person and always have been like that, enjoy the peace of the open road, seeing nature's wonders and just taking a break from life and cruising along.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Been riding with SCRC for 8 years now.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
A few chrome additions, Stage 1 to help the engine breathe and some other small tweaks for storage/organization in the saddle bags & trunk, upgraded speakers and now even a GPS! LOL.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
I think we're pretty much done with this one, maybe some LED brake lights and head light.

What is your dream bike?
CVO Ultra CLassic.. with all the bells & whistles!!

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
I Enjoy both aspects of riding, like to get into the twisties, rocking back and forth is good down a windy road. Also at times I like the thoughtlessness of just cruising down the straight-aways in a more laissez-faire manner.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
Gutter - and well let's just say that my mind isn't in the gutter, my mind is the gutter!!

What is your favorite riding route?
Wow been so many places...I still think that area around Yosemite is some of the nicest scenery and roads I've ridden (OK except for Chief Joseph highway on a hot day with fresh tar snakes...talk about pucker factor!!)

Do you ride your bike to work?
As often as possible given the conditions.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
I've had her screaming in triple digits a couple times.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Well I definitely enjoy the early part of Fall when the weather is still warm but with a hint of what’s coming and the foliage is changing colors. That is one of my favorite times of the year.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Oh wow what's that they say? There are two kinds of riders those who have been and those who are waiting to go down? Yes I've dropped the bike many times in a parking lot and been injured in a 25mph speed slide to avoid a car that didn't see me. Some minor damage to me and the bike. Knocking on wood, nothing major!

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
Damn come close a couple times, but never gone those last couple tanks of gas to make it over 1,000 miles.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
Several times over 600 in day, and once hit 718.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
I have ridden in the rain, where it felt like little knives cutting into your face, or the gusty 60+ mile hour winds that move you around the road in a second. It’s a toss up as to which one was the worst!

Do you know how to work on your bike?
Yes, I do a fair bit of work on the bike, but tend to stay away from the engine work and leave that to someone else!

What is your favorite road song?
Wow there's so many to choose from these days...Just something with good beat. Most memorable is rocking out to Greased Lightning and realizing I was making the hand motions! That got some looks...

What was your most adventurous ride?
Sturgis in 2006 had a couple very adventurous moments, there was torrential down pour that left us soak with only my hair under the helmet dry, or the 60+ cross wind across South Dakota that drained you trying to hold your line.

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Well every year we do the LAW Ride, Rattle the Runway and Rolling Thunder. Tend to make it out west to Sturgis, every few years.. 2015 and we're off again!

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
Used to have one of the LBC's (Little Bike Chicks with me) but these days they're not so little anymore and doing so many other things. Tend to have an empty pillion a bit more these days.

Off the cuff from...Gutter
Wow what a family SCRC has been for us, we've made friends across VA and the Country from the events we've been involed in. With the girls getting older, it has taken me away from riding with the group as much as we did when I was the First Officer at Loudoun. These days spending around the State of Virginia as the VA State Officer has been taking up other riding time and opportunities as well. Making the most of the these last few years being involved with our girls. And while we're not at as many meetings as we'd like, we miss our Loudoun Family and all the great times/frienships that have sprung from this group! Stay safe, keep the rubber to the road and catch you all in the wind...