Man, myth, motorcycle rider Richard Bernecker is a mild mannered computer geek currently residing in the very bowels of the Northern Virginia Hi-Tech Belt.

From his lowly beginnings in 1964, he has been a rabid follower of the motorcycle. His first bike purchase, a clapped-out, seized-up, ex-roadracing nightmare of a 1975 Yahama RD350, was certainly the portent of things to come. Since that lowly day in the spring of 1981, Richard has owned over 20 street motorcycles, from Yamahas, Hondas, Kawasakis, and Suzukis to Ducatis, pre-Hinkley Triumphs, and BMWs. He has picked up a bad habit of collecting, racing, and restoring Yamaha RD's and Suzuki GT750's, and has an eclectic taste in odd bikes (to say the least...)

In 1995 Richard bought his first BMW, a 1985 R80RT that was held together with duct tape, baling wire, and a heavily-used MasterCard account. Since then he has owned BMW's across the spectrum, including a passing fancy with Airheads, a brief and tumultuous period with several Oilheads, and at long last a steady and monogamous relationship with a 1995 K1100RS. Richard has spent the better part of a year "Berneckerizing" the K11RS (dubbed by his friends as the "Rolling Bordello" for its bright red color and amazing array of creature comforts).

Richard is no stranger to long-distance endurance riding. He has earned many of the awards given by the Long-Distance riding community including several documented Saddlesore 1000's, a Bunburner 1500, and even completed the 50CC on a BMW R1100GS. Richard has run in several local and regional LD rallies, and has looked forward to running in the Iron Butt for some time (he actually called it a "stroll in the park for a bunch of sissies" but I am not supposed to mention that to anyone.)

It is my impression that Richard is really competing in the Iron Butt Rally as an excuse to heavily modify his motorcycle, but he insists upon all the "test of endurance" and "challenge" stuff and since he is such an effective debater I just let it rest (except where I can have a forum where Richard can't get in his two cents worth :))

-- Ted Verrill