SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - May, 2015

Name:   Tom Geery

Nickname:   Tank

Marital Status:  Married to the wonderful Julie 'FieryRedhead' Geery!

Location:  Herndon

Hometown:  Grew up in McLean

Children:  Conner, almost 22, and Patrick, 18

Age:  Wow... really? 62 this coming December and holding together pretty well if I do say so myself!

Occupation:  Technical Support for a group of high speed 4 and 5 color digital presses at Xerox. 36 years!

Current motorcycle(s):  2007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture with 103,000+ miles on it!

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
I joined in July of 2006 right after Fiery joined. I didn't want to be left behind...

How long have you been riding?
I started riding when I was 16. There were years when I didn't own a bike - believe it or not, Fiery wouldn't have anything to do with riding a motorcycle when I first met her.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yes... many moons have passed.

What was your first bike?
1971 Yamaha XS650 inline twin.

How many bikes have you owned?
Including dirt bikes, probably around 10. Street bikes, only 4: the XS650, a '79 Yamaha XS1100-SF inline 4 (rocket!), the '03 VStar 1100 V Twin, and my '07 Venture.

Why do you ride?
Are you kidding? I've had more fun, met more friends, been more places on a motorcycle than by any other mode of transportation. Riding is just such an experience no matter whether it is in a 500 mile rainstorm in 40 degree temperatures or crossing a desert nearing 100 degrees...

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Never before SCRC.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
WAY too many to list - stuff like LED lighting, HID headlight, enhanced ignition system, etc...

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
Can't think of anything I haven't already added!

What is your dream bike?
The Venture has been my dream bike. Maybe someday if I could work out the finances, I'd enjoy a Wing...

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!
Tell the truth! Our First Officer at the time, Robin 'Ricochet' Migala, decided I was henceforth going to be known as 'Tank.' Something about Thomas and Tank going together...

What is your favorite riding route?
I have shared my favorite route with the group so many times I've been accused of lacking creative imagination. Crest Hill, 211 over the mountain, Fort Valley back north... maybe an ice cream stop at Spelunkers.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Can't - not only too many tools and computers and the like but Xerox forbids riding a motorcycle to a client site for work. Imagine that.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
Dave 'Tweaker' Kesick might be able to provide details but I'd say it is north of 120. ;-)

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Spring and fall around our area cannot be beat!

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Multiple times and yes, things got messed up. I learned to approach intersections with a lot more caution rather than assuming that you were free and clear - always ride like you're invisible!

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
Not an official one. I did ride two 1000+ mile days back to back coming back from Mesa Verde, Colorado.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
See above.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
Savannah Invasion ride, March 2015. Hours and hours of rain and cold temperatures and even more rain and cold and treated (corrosives/abrasives) roads on top that took a heavy toll on the bike!

Do you know how to work on your bike?
I'm the only mechanic who has ever worked on it!

What is your favorite road song?
I'll get back to ya on that...

What was your most adventurous ride?
I've been on several "adventurous" rides... cross country with Fiery, Throttle and Sunshine and the above mentioned Savannah Invasion ride (don't ask about cobblestones!) with Krat and Throttle. State Rallies. I've been lucky enough to be exposed to some real fun riding with the people in this chapter!

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Our Rolling Thunder event, most SCRC State Rally events turn out to be real fun, the Savannah Invasion was a lot of fun...

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
Every once in a while you will find Fiery on the pillion.

Off the cuff from...Tank
As I said above, I have met more fantastic and genuine, lasting friends through SCRC... been all over the place (although there are still a couple of states I have not (yet) ridden in!) and just had SO much fun and experiences that will stay with me for a lifetime. Sitting around in the evening on a double overnight ride swapping stories and laughing with fellow riders just can't be beat!