Meet: Chris Wikeen
Q. What do you do for a living?
A. Fire Captain on a Ladder Truck / Rescue Company. We
do all the special operations for the Fire District. I was a paramedic for 18 years and then retired and now do suppression
on the fire side full time. I love the job and enjoy coming to work.
Q. What do you do for a Fun?
A. I love to get out on the new motorcycle. A 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter, VN1500.
Nothing else seems to get done around the house because of the bike. I also like to hunt. I belong to a hunting club
and hunt pigs, deer and turkeys. I own an RV and enjoy hooking up and hitting the road when the opportunity presents itself.
Spending time with the family is the most important.
Q. When did you get your first bike?
A. I had my first bike (if you want to call it that) in 1971. I road a Honda mini
trail 50. I then graduated to a Yamaha 250 enduro later in life. My first road bike was a Honda Hawk, a 400 cc road bike.
Loved that bike until the floods of 1986 took if from me.
Q. What type of bike do you ride now?
A. I ride a 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter. When I first found the bike it was covered in my neighbors back
yard with a blue tarp. It had always spent its down time in the yard since he no place to store it inside.
It was last ridden 4 years prior and had been sitting covered. When the cover came off I cried! It was a rust bucket. I picked
the bike up for a song and went to work on her. Weeks of hard work, wrenching, washing, waxing, de-rusting,
replacing parts and now have the bike you see. I will do some modifications to her as money prevails.
Exhaust is next.
Q. What is your favorite road/ride?
A. I live in the one of the most beautiful riding areas of the state. The
Russian River area is a very nice place to ride. However, I took a ride last week to Redding and did lots
of day rides in Shasta County. That was a good time and some great riding. Hwy 36 to
Manton to Shingletown, over to Whitmore, Oakrun and onto Montgomery Creek. Finally down Hwy 299 to Redding.
The 3 bridge ride was a fun event riding with fellow Monkeys.
Q. Why is riding important to you?
A. It gets me out of the house and into the outdoors where I love to be. The fresh air, the need for speed and the time
away is what is important. It clears the head and soul especially after a shift of madness at work.
Q. Why did you become a Roadhouse Monkeys?
A. To meet new people, do group rides and see new places. Riding
alone is ok some of the times but being out with a group is fun. My first ride with the monkeys was Saturday doing the three
bridge run. What a good time! Felix was the leader of the pack and did an outstanding job leading us through
the city.
Q. Any Other Comments?
A. Yes, stay fit, stay healthy and ride safe. Watch out for the other guy and always steer it between the tree's.
Keep the rubber side down and the brain side up. Thanks for letting me participate with the group.
I look forward to meeting more monkeys.
