rider profile:

Nathan

Riding Background: Primarily my experience has been enjoyed on road bikes. However I did have a few laps on a country property on a KTM back in 2008, and feeling my arse-end keep falling out confirmed in my mind that I prefer road bikes. I didn't fall off, but it was an eerie feeling.

Favourite Ride: After all these years I still enjoy the ride to far east Gippsland, no traffic, just roads that go forever ...

Worst Accident: Thankfully all of my oops' were at low or no speed while trying to park or do a u-turn. So just some cracked fairings and bruised ego.

Current Car: What's that? I have only ever owned one car and that was Fanny the Fairlane, and she was disposed of shortly after I got the lovely Maggie back in 2003. I always thought that Fanny was very fitting for a Fairlane. The only other forms of transport that I have is the pushbike and public transport. I have 'Metcard/Myki' will travel.

If you could have any bike, what would it be, and why: Something that is sporty, goes fast, looks great, and looks even better out the front of the Laird Hotel.

What are your most prized and important possessions: I don't think I have anything that is particularly sentimental, but things that I like to read from time to time are the 'Positive Affirmations' that I have received from doing workshops with the VAC (Victorian Aids Council). They give me a boost whenever I read them.

Best commercial: Learn English in Holland where the song being played is 'I wanna f*** you in the ass'. Great stuff from the Vaterland.

When did you come out?: It was two weeks after my 15th birthday, and I had asked Mum and Dad to take me to this 'group' in South Yarra starting on a Tuesday night. They said yes, however when it came to the night, they asked me what 'group' they were taking me to. I responded and said 'it is a 'Young and Gay' course, Mum Dad, I'm gay'. Mum continued to stare at Ray Martin on A Current Affair, and Dad questioned: 'Why didn't you tell us sooner', I fumbled around for an answer that didn't come. However I thought later, I'm 15 and how long am I supposed to know for? After all of that Mum and Dad have never questioned myself or my sexuality. They don't really know how to deal with a gay son because they have never had one before, in some ways I am training or teaching them how it is done, as society really doesn't teach them or show them.

Why do you ride: There are more than a few reasons why. It wasn't until I borrowed a friends Suzuki SV-650 that I realised that it was time to get a motorcycle again. I was riding along Hoddle St and reminisced about all the times I've had and places that I have been on motorcycles. The old Honda advertisement that said 'you meet the nicest people on a motorcycle', and that is still ringing true for me still after 7 years. I still enjoy giving nods to other motorcyclists on the road, and I still get them! I must be still hot after all these years.

If you could be anywhere, where would it be and why: Germany, Deutschland, Europa. No question. I still haven't finished with Europe since coming back in November 2007. Berlin, the new city, divided, now unified. 20 years post, a city full of optimism, hot German men, and in central Europe. Reasonable rent! What's a boy to do?

What is your favourite song: Irgendwie, Irgendwo, Irgendwann - by Nena (the video clip is so 80's, German and camp! I also enjoy the English version 'Anywhere, Anyplace, Anytime', by Nena and Kim Wilde.

What item do you worship the most: I don't have anything that I worship, however something I treasure is my alone time, which gives me the insight to listen to my soul and heart to ensure that I am balanced and ready to face the world for another day.

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times: Europe 2006-2007. I lived over in Germany (Witten, Essen, Dortmund, Bochum and Cologne) for 6 months, and then 8 months in London. Before I left I was filled with so much excitement and fear. When I got to Germany my language skills weren't up to scratch, and so I retreated into myself, and became very introverted - that was the only way that I could deal with living in a place where I didn't speak the language. The people I met and the things I did I will always remember and I am looking forward to going back next year. I became a lot more comfortable in my own skin and now able to face things on my own and thrive on doing it alone.

What is the worst thing you have ever done: I don't regret anything as there had always been a lesson to learn. But if I have to say it is not listening to my gut instinct. When I have gone against it, it caused pain and trouble later. A bit like not buying a metcard before you travel...

Hottest actor: Perhaps Til Schweiger from 'Traumschiff Surprise', he has a very chiselled jaw, and is German so I go gaga over him.

If you were given $10,000 for plastic surgery what would you have done: If only those slender pads worked my abs enough for the fat to be obliterated from my stomach area so I could have a washboard stomach. Some things are only in my dreams. I'll just keep doing cardio at the gym, thanks Kim!

If you could choose your parents who would they be and why: I wouldn't change my parents, just parts of them. I like to talk about what's going on emotionally, and it would be nice to get into the head of my father at times, perhaps it might be better that I'm not able to.

What do you wear to bed: I haven't worn anything to bed since the mid-90's, and I'm not about to start now. Unless it was Til Schweiger ...

Teenage crush/idol: There was always something about Tom Cruise, I remember having a poster of him on the wall and this one day I gave him a kiss in front of my sister. I think I was about 9, the same time that Rick Astley and Jason Donovan were at the tops of the ARIA Charts. I'll never be giving Jason up in a hurry ...

What do you get out of the MMT: Likeminded, friendly men and women sharing a common passion. Thanks!