Kurt Pepper

When I was fifteen, dad rented Honda 55’s for us at Ocean Shores .  Those were the little bikes with the step through frame and clutchless transmissions.  The next week he bought three Trail 90’s, including one for Mom.  We took those bikes all over while camping and put thousands of miles on them.  I graduated to street bikes with a Honda 450 in 1970, a few years later I upgraded to a 750, and since that time I have not been without a motorcycle of some type.  In 1985 I stepped up to my first touring bike, a Goldwing.  At that time, Harley riders were not thought too much of.  I had that Goldwing a few years and then came a street bike dry spell due to kids and work.. I noticed Harleys, but was put off by the price.  In the mid nineties I bought a Harley look alike in the form of a Yamaha.  I was disappointed as soon as I drove it off the showroom floor and sold it six months later for half of what I paid for it.  Then, a few years ago my dentist mentioned he had an old Goldwing and that sounded like fun.  I spent a few weeks restoring the 1981 since it hadn’t run for 5 or 6 years, then went on a 1300-mile trip with the Blue Knights.  (I still have it with the original 17k miles.)  I enjoyed touring so much that I ordered the 2002 Ultra that I am still riding.  I got word it arrived when I was in Hawaii on the first day of a 15-day vacation.  Talk about a long couple weeks!  I tried the GWRRA when I had my original Goldwing and have been a member of the Blue Knights since 1985.  But when I attended my first meeting at this chapter I was hooked.  Everyone was friendly and open.  I had finally found a “family” and people I could really relate to.  The more time I spend with the chapter the more I enjoy it.

Family-wise I live in Edmonds with my wife Pam.  We own a business in Seattle and work together.  Our daughter Tonya (26) is going to graduate school in Boulder and will get her Master’s in art therapy (don’t ask) this spring. Our son Jason (25) has just started  working for me, and lives in Everett with his fiancé.

Years riding motorcycles - Conservatively 20 street years
First bike was - Honda Trail 90
Chapter member since - 2002
Officer positions held in GNW Chapter - Fundraiser '03, Director '04
Road Captain since - 2003
Rider Courses taken/plan to take - Northwest Motorcycle School 3/2004
HOG Rallies attended - 2003 Idaho & Washington
Longest bike trip taken/plan to take  2002  3000+ miles.  Destination was Boulder CO and misc. Utah sights.  Want to do Arizona this year if able and maybe Alaska in a year or two.
Accomplishments outside of GNW - 30 years as a reserve police officer with Seattle, own a business.
Hobbies - Besides HD's and riding?  Guns & fishing
Best thing about being a Road Captain - Leading a group on a ride