Mark Turkel - Ride Captain

Like a lot of us, I started riding as a kid in 1982. It was a Yamaha RD-400 Daytona Special! Great bike to start with - did you know if you rev it up and pop the clutch it will throw you off the back??? Glad I learned in a cow-pasture!

When it was time for college, we sold the bike, and I've missed it ever since...fast forward to 2005...the gas crisis, the need to be on two wheels...the need to tinker...I decided I'd do my part and buy a moped to commute my 4.5 mile drive to work. So I go on ebay, type in Moped, and see a ton of auctions for a little kit motor from China that will power a bicycle. COOL!

So I bought a beach cruiser bike, and powered it with this 75cc 2 stroke junk, and it was good for what I needed until I tweaked the motor for more power -- that's when I started popping inner tubes. So I decided a little scooter would work, and I bought a shiny new 125cc scooter. It did 63mph and it was fun...right up until I decided to get a motorcycle license, and I was once again on a REAL bike.

I didn't even make the second payment on the scooter before I sold it and bought a Honda Shadow Aero 750! That bike I loved...and so did my wife and son - and I couldn't get them off the back!

We kept that bike for a year or so, during which time I took a pretty good spill on it (it's true - everyone drops it or has a little spill), but I sucked it up, healed my bruises, and kept riding. I did also manage to read every book being sold at the local B&N bookstore on motorcycle safety and riding techniques, and made it my business to become the best rider I can.

Then Daytona Bikeweek happened, in conjunction with a very windy cold front. By the time Lorraine and I arrived at Daytona, our little 750 was battered as were we from the wind, and the last straw was that tiny little passenger seat that was causing lots of pain. So the trip turned into 2 days at the speedway, and we tried on every bike there, and settled on our Yamaha Royal Star Venture. We love it, the smooth 4-cylinders, the plush seats, and tons of storage. Yes, we have 22,500 miles on it so far! (3/2011).

I found out about the Southern Cruisers on the Honda Shadow forums, and really liked everyone I met online, so I finally decided to find out about our local chapter and got involved. From my first ride, Brad and Teeny welcomed me like an old friend, and I continue to feel that way each time we meet. I try to extend the same good feelings toward all new members, and I'm really proud to be part of the club - especially this chapter!

If I could change anything in the world, I'd add one more day to the week and call it SCRCDay, and ride all day long! Having a business and a family take me away from riding as much as I'd like to with the group, but I have been promoted to Ride Captain and now I have more "excuses" to disappear for the day with my friends!

My wife Lorraine and son Spencer have also joined the group, and as passengers they are also earning mileage, but it's really all about the friendship and comraderie (and of course riding to restaurants!).

I'm looking forward to riding with you all!

Oh - the name RideBell - that's because I'm the Ride Bell guy - check out my site, http://www.RideBellChain.com and buy your friends ride bells so they are safe and happy!