Broc Glover: First off, congratulations on be the lucky winner of the 2009 Breathe Easy Ride Roadstar customized by Cobra and Denny Berg. How did you first hear you had actually won the bike?
Perry McGill: I actually didn’t find out I had won the bike for a couple of days after Saturday’s drawing. It was midday on Monday when I got around to listening to my voice mails and when I heard your message I went numb. Of course I had the usual thoughts like, “Is this real?” “Is someone trying to mess with or scam me?” But when I heard it was you personally who called me I began to believe it.
BG: I saw on the winning ticket that you are from Colorado. Did you actually come to the ride?
PM: No, I did not.
BG: Well then the next question is how did you hear about the Breathe Easy Ride raffle and why did you decide to enter?
PM: I saw an ad in Cycle World and the picture of the bike caught my eye. I was thinking, what a nice bike it was and when I saw that it was benefitting cystic fibrosis (cf) I thought “That’s a great cause.” Although I have no family members with cf I was aware of the disease and how tough it can be on families. I also had a friend in college and coworkers where cf affected their families. I know it is a tough disease. At the time I felt I was more or less making a donation and winning the bike was just a distant hope.
BG: So that brings up mine, and many other people’s next question; so how many tickets did you actually buy?
PM: I printed the form off of the www.BreatheEasyRide.com website and sent in $50 for 5 tickets.
BG: What was your first reaction when you found out that you actually won the Roadstar customized by Cobra and Denny Berg?
PM: I was truly elated.
BG: What is the biggest thing you ever won?
PM: Are you kidding? Before this, I have NEVER won anything!
BG: Are you a longtime motorcycle rider and when was the first time you got on a bike?
PM: Well I started riding a dirt bike at 13 years old and I am now 52, so I guess that is almost 40 years.
BG: Who influenced you to begin riding?
PM: I was raised on a farm in Texas and introduced to motorcycles by my older cousin. He had bought a dirt bike to use as a farm vehicle. Our families had extensive amounts of land so chores were just part of everyday life for all. We had cattle and hogs, and not the Harley-types either, so my cousin used his dirt bike to run from field to field as it was actually faster more efficient than riding a horse. It didn’t take long for me to throw my leg over his bike and I have been riding ever since.
BG: Do you still ride dirt bikes and what type of riding do you regularly do?
PM: I stopped riding dirt bikes around 23 years old just after I bought my first street bike in college.
BG: Do you have any other bikes?
PM: Yes, I have a 2000 Honda Valkyrie and a BMW R1200C. Unfortunately I crashed the BMW about three years ago and totaled it so needless to say I am very happy to have won this bike. I had given serious thought about replacing the BMW many times but with the uncertain economy I have been a little hesitant about spending the money. I know it probably sounds funny since I am Retirement Consultant for JP Morgan Chase but even the pros are thinking twice about spending money on “basic necessities” such as second and third motorcycles. (laughter)
BG: Are you planning on riding the bike back home to Colorado from Southern California?
PM: I would love to but I honestly don’t think I can take that much time off of work. I will probably have to ship it.
BG: Well, where do you think you will take the new bike on your first ride? Do you have a favorite route?
PM: I probably will take it on my favorite ride up to the Winter Park area or possibly my Vail loop. I love riding in the canyons and mountains west of Denver.
BG: Any long term plans for the bike?
PM: Ride it and enjoy it for many years! I tend to have long relationships with my bikes and I am sure this one will be no different other than it is a very special bike for obvious reasons.
BG: Now that you are the big winner of the Grand Prize bike do you think you will come out to California for the Breathe Easy Ride next year?
PM: Yes, I sure hope so. I will definitely try to make it there.
BG: Well, if nothing else, I sure hope CFF is now your favorite charity.
(Laughter)
BG: Again, on behalf of Yamaha and Star Motorcycles, Cobra, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and myself, thank you for being a part of our quest for a cure and congratulations on your new Roadstar by Cobra.
PM: You are welcome and thank you all.