Luca Rattazzi - Founder

My motivation for founding the Pacific Northwest GS Rally stems from my experience taking a GS off-road for the first time. Like many, I had fallen for the mystique of the GS and wanted to play at off-road adventurer. The reality of piloting a GS in the dirt was far different than I expected, and I soon realized I needed training. I enrolled in Jim Hyde’s Adventure camp while sitting on a bed in the ER, nursing a separated shoulder caused by foolish bravado, an off-camber turn in loose gravel, and what I am fairly certain was a pile of bear scat.

My experience at the Adventure Camp so profoundly changed my experience on my GS that I realized that it was something I wanted to share with other GS riders. And so was born the Pacific Northwest GS Rally. The support of the local GS community and all of our sponsors has been overwhelming, and only motivates me even more to plan bigger more frequent GS events.

When I am not obsessing about my GS, I am blessed to have a job at BestRest Products in Mountlake Terrace, where I get to obsess about GS’s all day. What could be better?

My role as founder and figurehead of the PNWGS is made incredibly easy by the dedication and cooperation of my fellow PNWGS’rs. I could never do this without them.

Eric Blume - Partner

I have been riding many motorcycles through the years but discovered 20 years ago that this machine called a GS was the perfect do-it-all motorcycle. Touring, exploring backcountry and popping an occasional wheelie in town, the GS fits the task.

A number of years ago I wanted to find more GS freaks like me so I created the Pacific NW_GS-Riders e-mail list. Since then I have met many new friends and the NW_GS Community has grown larger than I ever expected.

I greatly appreciate Luca’s efforts in creating the PNWGS Rally. It is an event that brings us all together each year to learn new skills and have fun. I help out Wayne’r doing the rider clinics and try to do my best demonstrating the proper riding techniques.

I am an Engineer at Boeing working Propulsion Design, which takes much of my time. The company has sent me all over the world to troubleshoot engine problems that arise and I just wish I had a motorcycle on those trips.

And if it is not a riding weekend you will find me brewing beer. Maybe that is why these other guys put up with me?

Wayne Elston - Partner

Howdy. My name is Wayne, and I'm a motorcyclist. (All reply " Hi Wayne ").

I've had the pleasure of putting more than a quarter-million miles on Big-Bore Boxer Beemers, and have loved every minute of it. I've also been blessed with opportunities to go far and wide both riding, and being trained to ride these big bikes more effectively.

The " Adventure Touring" lifestyle is one I participate in, and endorse highly. Going fly-fishing on my motorcycle is also a great pleasure of mine, and I attempt it as often as possible. The greatest job in the world is mine - selling BMW Motorcycles at South Sound BMW I've been teaching riders locally for the last couple years, and though I feel there are many more qualified to do it than I, none of those riders seem to step to the plate ~ so here I go!!

I hope to meet many of you on the road or in the novice clinics that will be available through PNWGS Rally. Until our paths cross, remember ~

Ride fast, Take chances!

- "The Reverend" Wayne

Brendan Ferrer - Partner

My first bike at 16 was an uber-cool Honda Passport in red with white leg shields. This bike was to insure that I was desirable to the opposite sex, because "...you meet the nicest people on a Honda"!

As my list of bikes owned, broken, spindled, and mutilated grew, I found that mountain biking was both cheaper and safer. Then came the stunning revelation - they made motorcycles that could do both commuting and some limited off-road. Imagine my profound surprise!

I have enjoyed GS-style riding a great deal since. I find that every bit of info that makes me a better and safer rider pleases my wife and children, as well as insuring that I can participate in the motorcycle community without the benefit of casts and braces.

I currently work as the General Manager for South Sound BMW in Fife, Washington and ride an HP2. The BMW is not quite as much of a crowd pleaser as the Passport, but hey....

Dominic Groves - Partner

Upon buying my first bike in my teens - a 1975 Honda XL175 enduro - I became infatuated with the idea of a do-it-all, go-anywhere, on/off-road motorcycle. After a period of testosterone-fueled fascination with crotch rockets, I returned to my roots...and also came to the realization that while one motorcycle might not do everything, a big dual-sport sure comes close!

You may know me from my 9 years at CycoActive/Touratech-USA and my work on the annual "Cyco-TT GPS Ride". I bring that experience (along with 25 years of riding) to PNWGS as a scout and coordinator for the route and the bivouac sites.

Charlie King - Partner

Moving to and riding in the PacNW has been transformative. Especially after I stumbled upon the area's great GS and BMW riding communities. I showed up on Luca's radar after I'd served a couple of years as a rally chair for the statewide club. Luca generously overlooked my personal dysfunctions (and a propensity to wear a kilt) and asked me to be a part of the PNWGS. He has regretted it ever since.

This GS community has been great. We are: adventurers, swashbucklers, campers, fun-loving seat-of-the-panters. We fear no Farkle. We come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Fire up the bike, fire up the grill. Many a late night tale has been woven from day's ride. It will be full of risk, courage, overwhelming odds and result in snatching triumph from the jaws of disaster. And, if we're lucky, there may even be some truth in it! You'll find me overseeing the refreshment table and bonfire, egging on the next tale of woe, sensation and wonder.

All my best, see you on the trail!

Charlie King
Will Kilt for Beer

Mike M. Paull - Partner

Adventure riding, campfood, like-minded enthusiasts, the outdoors, the "GS-lifestyle", and a good microbrew at the end of the riding day - what's not to like? When Luca approached me about the notion of organizing a limited number of "GS" events for riders of (any make) bigass adventure bikes, I was more than happy to sign-up.

For the PNWGS Rally, I help author the website, plan and conduct events, give a presentation now and then, and participate in the LLC as a board member.

In addition to my activities with this great group of riders, I have the honor of being a Partner, Webmeister and Guide for Helge Pedersen's GlobeRiders, sharing these "jobs" with another rider on this page, Dan Townsley.

I currently ride Das UberHack, a BMW R1200GS/EZS Rally "L" off-pavement-capable sidecar, unless I'm feeling exceptionally giddy, in which case I'll fire up my Ural Gear-Up. Whether riding the Great Pacific NorthWET, or guiding a group of mesmerized riders overseas, any day in the saddle, come what may, is a great day - thanks for your participation and support of our events!

Harold Perry - Partner

My world generally revolves around 3 "M"s, Music, Motorcycles, and Macintosh. The order depends on my mood. I've been a guitarist and a coder most of my life, so the Music and Mac aspects are pretty straightforward, especially since I work in the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft.

As for motorcycles, well it's hard to be a friend of Luca and not get pretty excited about GS's. Actually, the GS has really opened up a whole world of opportunities for me that I haven't had since I was a kid back in Tennessee riding over our 140-acre farm out in the middle of nowhere. I used to ride for days and days cuttin' trails and gettin' muddy. From Tennessee we'd travel to see my family in Wyoming...truly a dirt worshipper's dream. I remember when my Dad, Uncle, and I would drive around all the open and unpaved spaces out there, and I would have the biggest grin on my face you can imagine.

Needless to say, the GS fits right in with that! And if there's anything that this group of folks can accomplish, I hope it's to give others a little peek into what that feels like.

Oh, and for the record, I ride an R1200GS Adventure and a Husqvarna TE510.

Marco Prozzo - Partner

I  was born into slavery in a shanty shack in the ghettos of Brooklyn Heights.

Bound to the limitations of perambulating on my own two feet, riding the subway, and eventually being caged inside a small metal box atop four wheels, I knew in my heart there had to be a better way.   I was freed in 1982 when one of my best friends co-signed a loan with me to purchase my first motorcycle.

In a short time I was hooked.  Years passed.  I tried quitting.  I couldn't stop.  Hard times found me selling my body over in Hell's Kitchen by the Midtown Tunnel just to afford some new rubber for my ride.  Fast forward to midlife crisis.  Got sick and tired of selling my body and soul in NYC. Hopped on my bike and rode across the country to a destination I'd only visited twice before; Seattle.  For some sick and twisted reasons I actually decided to stay.  I left my bike here with a crocheted rain cover over it, flew home to New York, packed up my belongings and my two pit-bulls and came out here to live and ride.

Other cherry-poppin' events include my first BMW: a Classic 88' R100RS purchased used in '92;  my first GS in '96 followed by another in 2000, which is still my main squeeze.  Got hooked up with fellow addicts that loosely form the GS community here in the Pacific Northwest.

Some of them actually make me feel normal in comparison.

Being a commercial photographer and graphic artist by profession (sorry, my body belongs to my wife now, it is no longer for sale), I offered up my services to help my friend, Luca, when he ran his first PNWGS Rally.  I've been designing the visual materials for print ever since.  What better way to pass one's time than to combine two of life's passions?   When I am not out riding my motorcycle or designing posters or T-shirts for the PNWGS Rally, I enjoy taking bubble baths, collecting Hummel Figurines,  and competitive plumbing.  

Dorian Sleeper - Partner

I’m a native Washingtonian and have been hopelessly addicted to motorcycles since age twelve when my mother, under my relentless requests to let me get a motorcycle, convinced my dad to buy me a used ‘63 Yamaha 80cc YG1 from a friend of his so I’d “get it out of my system”. Not exactly the Royal Enfield 750cc Interceptor the kid across the street rode, but a motorcycle nonetheless! God bless her – that was over 40 years and 100 bikes ago. I’ve spent the years since riding/racing motocross, trials, enduros and dual sporting.

My previous organizational experience is with the Puget Sound Enduro Riders M/C, of which I’m one of the founding members. For the past 27 years The Shelton Valley Enduro being our most notable event.

I remember seeing the first do-it-all GS’s and thinking how cool they were – and that deep down inside I knew that one of these days I’d eventually have one. Well, it’s now one of those days. I’m experiencing the enjoyment and versatility of the amazingly capable GS and it is more fun than I’d imagined. So I’ve been absorbed by the entity that is the PNWGS Rally Team. I’m blessed with great friends, two terrific sons and a wonderful wife Robin that always encourages me to get out and ride. I look forward to meeting you all and helping Luca and the rest of the PNWGS crew promote the growing sport of adventure riding!

Dan Townsley - Partner

I'm new to this effort but excited that I have been asked to work and have fun with Adventure Riders in the Northwest. After over forty years of riding, it seems my lifelong passion has once again been energized by big adventure bikes, the PNWGS Rally Team and Helge Pedersen and Mike Paull at GlobeRiders. At my age it's not often that one can feel that way.

My Partner role on the PNWGS Rally Team has been focused on the Newsletter and general planning input and I'll also be helping out with the Web page and Rally as needed. I really like the direction we are taking with the Rally and Clinics. And, though I might miss some events do to GlobeRiders tours, I will get to break-in my BMW HP2 "Adventure Tourer" on the 2008 Rolling Rally.

I look forward to riding with you and hope you have as much fun at our events as we have putting them together.