HOG Member Profiles
HOG Profile - Guinn Cooper
1) When and how did you first get into riding a Harley? In the early 60s a guy around the corner from Callie's uncle owned one of the late 50s/early 60s Duo-Glides. That critter was awesome going down the street. I knew then that's what I wanted to be riding. It just took me almost 40 years to get there. These days I think, "Why did it take me so long?"
2) How long have you been riding? 45+ years, Those early years involved the old Sears Allstate little red scooters and the like. Callie's cousins had one as well as a few other kids in the neighborhood. It's a wonder many of us didn't do serious damage to ourselves riding those things. In those days if you had a Cushman Eagle or Mustang you were the Fonz!
3) What is your favorite trip or place to ride? Red River's the place to be. Or some other place in New Mexico, Colorado, etc. where the temps are cool, the sky is blue and there are scenic views.
4) What gives you the greatest thrill while riding? It'd have to be the first days of spring when it's just warm enough to ride with just a t-shirt soaking up the sun before it gets hot enough to blister you and taking in all the sights and smells of springtime.
5) What is your best memory associated with riding? It's a combination of all the breakfast runs, supper run, state rallies, etc. that I've ridden to with Callie and all our friends. You can't just nail down one event. It boils down to all the good times spent with friends and family.
6) What do you do in your 'other' life and how does your Harley fit in with that? My 'other' life involves keeping a bunch of the state's computers working at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. The Harley ties in with that as it's my sole transportation to and from work. Then there's those 9 grandkids to spend time with. I've gotten several on the back of the scoot and am working on the rest. I even took a grandson on a lunch run to Tyler one Saturday for a 600 mile day. He wasn't too keen on the idea of riding to the Saltlick in Driftwood a week or so later. I guess he got his fill that day.
7) What is your philosophy of riding? Two wheels will keep you young.