"Ghostface KLR"
How long have you been riding?
Since '78, I think. I had my first bike in '78 or '79.
Longest road trip?
Sadly nothing all that long or epic. Probably one of the earlier TDC fall rides with just me and E-rock. A few hundred miles around the state.
Bikes owned:
Mid-'60s Suzuki something. Never ran. Late-'70s Yamaha Enduro 80. Ripped off lights. Became my first real bike. Loved it. '83? Honda VRF500. $50. New head gasket, rode for years, sold for $500. ' 98 Honda CBR600F3, '68 Honda CL175, '99 Triumph Sprint ST 955i, '80s Kawasaki KDX 200, '06 Kawasaki KLR 650 aka KLR2, '74 Yamaha XS650, '98 Kawasaki KDX 200, ' 02 Yamaha WR250 aka WR1, '90s Honda XR250 aka SwampMonster1, 2008 Husqvarna TE250 with 310cc kit, 1970 Honda CL175 ("Vertical" - vintage race bike), 1968 Honda CL175 ("Sloper" - cafe racer project bike), 2000 BMW 1150GS, 2013 Husqvarna TR650 Terra, 2008 Yamaha WR250R, 2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
Current rides:
Favorite bike owned:
2009 GasGas EC300, 20XX KTM 790 Adventure R
Favorite bike owned:
I think my favorite would have to be the Husky TE250. There's just something so appealing about the well thought-out engineering, attention to aesthetics, modern high-tech componentry, and all-out performance that makes the pulse quicken.When it comes to sexy race machines no one beats the Italians. The Germans do great work, but never seem as bold and innovative as the Italians.
Current bike lust:
2011 Triumph Tiger 800XC; I do lust after a Ducati 996 or 998. Gorgeous bikes. And I love the Paul Smart as well. But the bike I want to build would be a cherry cafe racer based off a Yamaha XS650.
What do you like to do when not riding?
I seem to like playing in bands, as I currently find myself in three of them. One band is finishing an album, the other is about half-way through, and the third is planning on recording once the second one is done. Whew. When I'm not riding bikes, sometimes I'm wrenching on them. I seem to have a problem with old film cameras. I forget how many I have. A dozen? More? My freezer has more 35mm and medium format film than food, and there's more darkroom chemicals under my sink than cleaning supplies.
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
I'd love to get in some longer motorcycle adventures. Maybe in foreign countries? And Canada doesn't really count. What stops us from a trip to Mexico? Or even Guatemala, Belize, Honduras? Money? Not really. Vacation time? No. Speaking Spanish? Maybe. Responsibilities? Reassess your life. Complacency? Probably.
So maybe in 5 years I'll be riding a motorcycle down south with TDC. Hopefully we'll still be ripping it up in the woods as well. I don't think I've hit my peak off-road riding ability. Maybe it'll level off as 50 approaches, but that's a long ways off. And I'd really love to be doing more Enduro races, and with a TDC contingent.
Married? Maybe. Working more? Riding less? Hell no.
"MotoBum"So maybe in 5 years I'll be riding a motorcycle down south with TDC. Hopefully we'll still be ripping it up in the woods as well. I don't think I've hit my peak off-road riding ability. Maybe it'll level off as 50 approaches, but that's a long ways off. And I'd really love to be doing more Enduro races, and with a TDC contingent.
Married? Maybe. Working more? Riding less? Hell no.
How long have you been riding?
Since 1985.
Longest road trip?
The Dirty Crew's Arctic Ocean Expedition in 2011; 5,200 miles in 25 days of awesomeness. Also, in 1998 I took a six-week trip around the Western States. I hit Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. I needed a good break and had the time of my life with a loaded-down Honda CBR600F3.
Bikes owned:
1986 Honda Rebel 250, 1994 Suzuki GS500E, 1991 Honda CBR600F2, 1997 Honda VFR750F, 1998 Honda CBR600F3, 1997 Yamaha Virago 250, 1985 Yamaha YFM80 Moto-4 (ATV), 1978 Honda Trail 90, 1998 Honda VTR1000F Super Hawk, 2001 Honda VTR1000F Super Hawk, 2005 Honda CBR600F4i, 2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, 2004 Honda CBR1000RR, 2009 Kawasaki KLR650, 2002 Honda CBR600F4i, 2002 Yamaha WR250F
Current rides:
Favorite bike owned:
2022 Honda CRF300L, 2022 Yamaha Ténéré 700, 2012 Yamaha WR250R, 1981 Honda CT110 "Trail 110"
That 1991 Honda CBR600F2 stays true to my heart; you never forget your first love.
Current bike lust:
AJP PR7 650 Adventure, Stark VARG, KTM 390 Adventure Rally, KTM 390 Adventure Enduro, Honda Rebel 1100 Tour DCT with Sidecar, Honda Transalp 750, Honda TRX250X (ATV), Yamaha YZF450R SE (ATV), Yamaha WR450F DOT, KTM Freeride E-XC, Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports, GasGas EC300i, Honda CRF125F Big Wheel, home built chopper.
What do you like to do when not riding?
I love to ride bicycles or just hang-out wearing a biker jacket, sunglasses, and a straw cowboy hat.
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
I'll either be in jail or dead.
Since around 1983.
Longest road trip?
5,800 miles in 4 weeks in the year 2000 - Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington.
Bikes owned:
1978 Yamaha GT80, 1985 Honda XL350, 1993 Honda XR250L, 1991 Suzuki Intruder 750, 1982 Honda CB900F, 1999 BMW R1100RT, 1998 Honda VTR1000 SuperHawk, 2000 Suzuki GS500E, 1965 Honda CB160, 196X Honda CB160 (#2), 1982 Honda CM450E, 1979 Honda Z50, 1991 Honda XR200R, 1964 Honda 305 SuperHawk, 2001 BMW F650GS, 2005 Kawasaki KLR650, 2002 Yamaha WR250F, 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, 2005 Suzuki DR-Z400S, 1996 Yamaha XT225, 2007 Yamaha FZ6, 2008 Suzuki DR650, 2007 Triumph Thruxton, 2013 Triumph Tiger 800, 2012 Ducati Hypermotard 796, 2013 Yamaha XT250, 2009 Aprilia Shiver 750, 2013 Honda NC700X, 2020 Triumph Street Twin, 2017 Honda CRF250L Rally
Current rides:
20XX KTM 390 Adventure
Favorite bike owned:
The second KLR, the VTR, and the RT.
Current bike lust:
Yamaha WR250R, Triumph Bonneville
"Swamp Monster"
Bikes owned:
Current bike lust:
"Superstar Wendy"
Bikes owned:
Current bike lust:
"Shotgun Ruthie"
How long have you been riding?
Bikes owned:
Favorite bike owned:
Current bike lust:
"Last Minute Ryan"
How long have you been riding?
Favorite bike owned:
The second KLR, the VTR, and the RT.
Current bike lust:
Yamaha WR250R, Triumph Bonneville
What do you like to do when not riding?
Hang out with the fam, eat, watch racing, watch the Gators, think about the boy's first moto, enjoy a tasty beverage.
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
On a motorbike and/or a beach."Swamp Monster"
How long have you been riding?
In 1980 I rebuilt my first bike ('74 Suzuki TM75), I was in 7th grade. That was my first ride.
Longest road trip?
Most of the long hauls were all about getting from A to B. 860 Sebastopol CA to Seattle WA up Highway 1 and 101, 760 miles from Anchorage AK to Haines AK in one shot. I'm taking a 4000+ mile joy ride in August 2011.
Bikes owned:
'74 Suzuki TM75, '84 Honda VT500 Ascot, '85 Honda Interceptor 500, '86 Honda Rebel 250, 2006 Kawasaki KLR650, 2008 Honda Ruckus, 2007 Honda CRF250X, 2007 Yamaha TT-R125 (with 150cc big bore kit), 1974 Triumph Tiger T100R Daytona (restoration project), 2006 Yamaha WR450F DOT
Current rides:
2008 Yamaha WR250R, 2018 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, 2005 GasGas EC250, 1966 Ducati Scrambler, 1990 Honda XR250R
Favorite bike owned:
The old Interceptor was a fun bike, but I love the geometry of the KLR. It is just comfortable to ride. I can ride that thing for 20+ hours a day.
Current bike lust:
While I love the KLR, it is lacking a bit on the highway stints. I had my eye on the R100GS and the old Transalp as possible replacements for the KLR. Yes, a new BMW F800GS was a possibility too.
My current bike lust is the new Triumph Tiger 800XC.
My current bike lust is the new Triumph Tiger 800XC.
What do you like to do when not riding?
I am restoring an old Triumph. I will be riding it in the spring if all goes according to plan. I also race sailboats.
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
Riding a motorbike somewhere that requires a passport, sailing a boat, or flying a plane."Superstar Wendy"
How long have you been riding?
Including pedal bikes? At least 33 years. Dirt Bikes? Since November 8, 2009. Approximately.
Longest road trip?
On the road it was a 75 mile pedal bike race. On dirt, it was the women's 50 mile course at the Desert 100 in Odessa, WA in April 2010.
Bikes owned:
The list of pedal bikes begins with a sweet Schwinn, complete with banana seat and extends to a custom built Cannondale R5400 racing bike. The dirt version of pedal bikes include a bright yellow Giant X360 that Swamp Monster painted green. Also a 15" Iron Horse hardtail, Carbon Fiber Miyata hardtail, custom Dean Titanium with front suspension and a full suspension GT LTS4000, bright yellow of course.
Current rides:
2005 Honda CRF230F, my GT LTS4000, custom Dean aluminum road bike, and comfy Murray cruiser.
Favorite bike owned:
My custom built Cannondale R5400 race bike. It was like riding on air. Of course that Schwinn will always have a special place in my heart.
Current bike lust:
I haven't found it yet, so I don't know what it's called. But I can say that it is a mix between the Yamaha TT-R125 and Swamp Monster's XR250R. My feet can touch the ground, I can push it up a hill (if Swamp Monster's not there) and it still has the power of the "big bike."
What do you like to do when not riding?
Yoga, rock climbing, alpine skiing, play with my doggies, hang out with my nephew, family and friends, daydream about the next time I'll get to ride with TDC, and get pedicures with Jennifer.
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
On an adventure. I'll take the beach, the snow, or the dirt. But I will be taking the time for some sort of extended adventure. I'll keep you posted..."Shotgun Ruthie"
I haven't put in a lot of miles yet. Not as many as I'd like. When I was 4 years old my dad had a big beautiful BMW R90.
He put foot pegs high up on the back so I could brace myself and he took me to preschool on the bike
sometimes.
I got my own bike in college, a big meaty old standard cow, about 15 years ago. I had the guy deliver it because I didn't know how to ride it when I bought it. I taught myself in the driveway, until I could handle the clutch and brake without killing it, then shifting and steering in the gravel. I rode up and down the driveway for days until finally I couldn't stand the wait, and I launched myself onto a series of roads that lead me unexpectedly to Chuckanut Drive. I'd later find out this was one of the most beautiful motorcycle roads in the states. Chuckanut winds through thick woods, with a sandstone wall on one side, and a steep cliff down to the bay on the other; a tightly curving blissful road. I survived, though if I'd died right then I would have died very very happy. I later took the riding course, got certified, took the course to be an instructor, and was making plans to road race... but life had other plans for me.
I got my own bike in college, a big meaty old standard cow, about 15 years ago. I had the guy deliver it because I didn't know how to ride it when I bought it. I taught myself in the driveway, until I could handle the clutch and brake without killing it, then shifting and steering in the gravel. I rode up and down the driveway for days until finally I couldn't stand the wait, and I launched myself onto a series of roads that lead me unexpectedly to Chuckanut Drive. I'd later find out this was one of the most beautiful motorcycle roads in the states. Chuckanut winds through thick woods, with a sandstone wall on one side, and a steep cliff down to the bay on the other; a tightly curving blissful road. I survived, though if I'd died right then I would have died very very happy. I later took the riding course, got certified, took the course to be an instructor, and was making plans to road race... but life had other plans for me.
Longest road trip?
I biked from Bellingham Washington to Denver Colorado, but that
wasn't on a motor, that was on a pedal bike loaded with gear, food, and water. I motorcycle camped through Washington and Oregon, on
the coast, in the mountains, and in the eastern dry, and that was
pretty danged sweet. Mountain passes are much easier with a motor.
Bikes owned:
Suzuki GS550E, Honda CBR600F3, and some sort of gnarly scooter in Japan
(THAT'S some crazy riding!). 200x Kawasaki KDX220 for Sunday
dirt church. 2014 Honda CRF250L.
Current rides:
Current rides:
???
I've loved them all....
Current bike lust:
10 years ago I saw a diesel BMW, all bare bones, unbreakable, elegant,
and angular. It was fully loaded for adventure travel. I fell totally in lust. The owner (a woman!) said it was specially
made for the army. I still dream about it. I think they make a few of
these machines for regular folk now, in matte black instead of dusty
green. Sign me up. I wouldn't mind a lovely old R90 either.
What do you like to do when not riding?
I'm an artist. I study and teach figure drawing, and I paint. You can see for yourself at RuthieV.com.
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
As far as road bikes go, I'd love to do some adventure traveling. On the dirt bike, and hopefully in less than 5 years, I've got a goal to discover 3rd gear, slide my back wheel through a corner, and wheelie. Yeah!"Last Minute Ryan"
Long enough.
Longest road trip?
It's hard to say. I once took a ride around the block, but I ran out of gas and had to push my bike home.
Bikes owned:
Oh, some late-model Moto Guzzi somethingorother, 2012 BMW F800GS, 1982 Yamaha XT250.
Current ride:
Current ride:
2016 Husqvarna 701 Enduro.
Favorite bike owned:
That XT250 will be my favorite, always.
Current bike lust:
Something electric and has good style.
What do you like to do when not riding?
I like to party! You gotta fight for your right!
Where do you plan to be in 5 years?
Same bat place. Same bat channel.