rider profile:

Kate

Favourite ride: Strahan to Queenstown in Tassie! or Tumut to Kiandra

Riding background: First started when I was about ten - on the Honda SL70 (Snoopy) that Dad put together. My sisters and I used to ride it up and down the driveway and at 'mudplugs'. Dad still has a large number of vintage and veteran bikes - he used to take us on rallys and I recall riding the 1924 Douglas around the oval at Woodend with Dad running along side me - I was probably about 11 by then - I'm still waiting for him to let me ride one of his Velocettes! Meanwhile I've been known to take mum on the back of the BMW for a spin over the mountains while dad has bike rally meetings.

Current car: Toyota Four Runner

Worst accident: Nothing that has ever hurt me (thankfully) - was on my L plates on Beach road and had a push bike rider ignore a red right hand turn arrow - he threw a U turn on a blind corner (Hampton St intersection) - I was the unlucky vehicle coming around the corner - managed to get him to the cop station for a statement!

If you could have any bike, what would it be, and why: Gee I like the one I have right now!

What is your most prized and important possession: My ability to ski, my skis and ski boots - sorry guys!

What item do you worship the most: Snow - I love it and can't imagine a world without snow.

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you: Completing my electrical engineering degree at 31 with a scholarship to boot. (It was the scholarship that helped me buy the R80!)

What is the worst thing you have ever done: Accidentally scratched mum's album of the Tyrolean yodellers from the Cuckoo restaurant?!!!

Best commercial: Herding Cats!

Hottest actor: I'm not drawn to any one single actor

If you were given $10,000 for plastic surgery what would you have done: Nope - got all the bits I need, could do with the enthusiasm and time to get to the gym more often!

If you could choose your parents who would they be and why: The pair that I have, they've supported me throughout and still lead an active and happy lifestyle.

What do you wear to bed: not much I get too hot!

When did you come out: To myself, at about 3am in the morning on a bus north of St Andrews in Scotland in April 1985. About 4 days later to a woman I met in Aviemore on a ski course - we are still friends to this day.

Teenage crush/idol: No one famous - just almost everyone female around me!

What do you get out of the Melbourne Motorcycle Tourers bike club? I've been a member of the MMT since about 1997 or 98 after bumping into Lawerence (Pete) at Midsumma and I love it. Wish I could get to more meetings - the club provides great friendship and a place to be cheeky while enjoying riding. I love the rides that we do, it provides a mature space to tour.