Rudi Zacsko SR The man behind it all...........
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? Since day 1 – 42 years!
What is your motorcycling background? I’ve done it all, hill climbing, “scrambles”, road racing, cross country, ice racing, motocross, trail riding, but mainly dirt riding.
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? My trip to Tierra Del Fuego in 2001 on my XR650L.
What do you currently ride? Hondas of course - XR650L, CRF230F and my beloved Transalp, when I can get my hands on one.
Why are you into motorcycling? God knows. But it’s been a lifelong passion. I started riding at 16 yrs of age in Europe, on a 98cc Wanderer – Sachs (2.2 hp), and still ride every weekend @ the age of 79.
What is your favorite saying? “A true rider dries his clothes on his body!” (after being caught in the rain beforehand)
What is one of your most embarrasing motorcycle moments? Dropping a Goldwing in the parking lot at the Fairmont Hot Springs with my lovely wife, Margaret on the back…
Rudi Zacsko JR. Co-Owner/Service Manager
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? 27
What is your motorcycling background? Started racing motocross at the age of 8 and ended up being one of the top ranked motocross riders in Canada. Since that time, I’ve ridden, you name it, cross country, ice races, Numb Bum endurance races, Super Motard. Haven’t met one form I didn’t like…
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? My Mexican ride in 2007 and any time I can get on my dirt bike and twist a grip
What do you currently ride? A 2007 CR250R and my 76 CB750K
Why are you into motorcycling? It’s really my first love and a great stress reliever.
What is your favorite saying? "Just ride it..."
What is one of your most embarrasing motorcycle moments? Back in 1986 or so, I looped out crossing the finish line at the arena cross that was happening at the Coliseum (now Rexall Place). I was the last guy around the track after having crashed and picking myself up, so all eyes were on me. It was probably pretty entertaining…
Kathy Zacsko-Besa Co-Owner/General Manager
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? More than I'd like to admit.
What is your motorcycling background? We started riding Honda Z50's at around 6yrs old. Growing up, we rode pretty much every weekend, either at the motorcross track, or in the mountains. Motorcycling has taken us to many parts of Canada. I used to race local club events, but never had the nerve to do more. The funny thing is, imagine that when I was around 20 and anticipating getting my street license, my Dad (Rudi Sr), who got me into all of this, didn't want me to get it! Even he was afraid for his daughter out there in traffic on two wheels.
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? Riding the trails in Nordegg with friends and making it up to the summit of Coliseum Mountain.
What do you currently ride? I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to ride whatever I'd like, but my favorite and current bike is a rare and beautiful 1989 NT650 Hawk.
Why are you into motorcycling? It's been a big part of my life and I can't imagine not getting out on two wheels at least a 1/2 dozen times a year? I'd like to ride more, but I've got young kids and therefore too much luggage for an NT650 to handle!
What is your favorite saying? I'm soooooo solar powered.
What is one of your most embarrassing motorcycle moments? Dropping a 750 Shadow on the showroom floor and being rescued by Eric, our Parts Manager, just before the domino effect occurred.
Nadine Sharp Office Manager
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? 6 wonderful years!
What is your motorcycling background? None – I’ve never been on one!
Did you ever think you’d be working in a motorcycle shop? No, I never dreamed that I would, but I’ve really enjoyed the owners, the staff and customers alike, in this industry.
Do you aspire to ride or be on a bike or quad? Sometimes. I’m still waiting for a ride promised to me by my boss…
What is your favorite saying? “You guys are in big trouble now”
What is one of your most embarrassing non-motorcycling moments? After playing slow pitch for many, many years, I got hit square between the eyes with the ball. Should have known better… to keep my eye on the ball…
What are your interests or passions? I love gardening and cross stitch – those are the things I do to relax.
Eric Dykeman aka Dr Dykeman Parts Manager
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? 38
What is your motorcycling background? Currently street touring and vintage motorcycles. Back in the day I did some off-road, X-country, MX, and some ice racing.
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? Back in 76' riding across Canada and the US
What do you currently ride? CB919, CX650E, CL250, and a C50 Cub
Why are you into motorcycling? It still makes me smile
What is your favourite saying? "They are not all the same!"
What is one of your most embarassing motorcycle moments? Back in the 70's falling off a Triumph 250 in the Bonniedoon traffic circle.
Minetta Farquharson Sales Co-ordinator/Finance
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? I started seasonally in the summer of 2000 and started full
time in 2002.
What is your motorcycling background? My mom got me started when I was 22. My first bike was a 1997 Honda VT1100 ACE, then I later switched to a VTR1000.
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences?
What do you currently ride? I go for raw horse power so I mainly ride my horses.
Why are you into motorcycling? There's something to be said about travellig in the "open". In a car you miss out on all the different sights&smells, even roads that you've travelled numerous times thecar, are all seen from a different perspective on a motorcycle. It's amazing!
What is your favorite saying?
What is one of your most embarrassing motorcycle moments? Back when I was in high school my mom was litterally "dropping" me off on her 1982 GL1100, when she put her foot down in some loose gravel and we both had to jump off.
Joseph Adler Sales/Promotions
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? Just over 5
What is your motorcycling background? I started riding when I was 13 on an old Honda Spree, then later moved to an old 70's dirtbike. When I get the chance I like to do touring or just go for a ride in the dirt. I also participate in Road racing, ice racing, and this year I'm trying flat track racing......
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? I'll be heading to Malaysia to go riding in a few weeks and I'm sure that will be something that I'll always remember.
What do you currently ride? 2004 RC51, *cough* KTM 450EXC *cough*
What is your favorite saying? "When the going gets wierd, the wierd turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
What is one of your most embarrassing motorcycle moments? Just recently at a flat track race one of the bikes I was riding had clutch problems. On the starting line waiting for the flag to drop the bike started creeping forward and as I was trying to hold it back the front wheel was starting to lift off of the ground. I ended up just about fliping the bike over on the starting line and I got a warning for jumpstarting. This all happened right in front of the full grandstands.
Jay Onyschuk Journeyman Motorcycle Mechanic
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? 4.5 months
What is your motorcycling background? My first vehicle was a 1997 CBR600F3. I had my motorcycle license before I had my car license. I’ve owned various dirt bikes, quads and sport bikes.
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? They all are
What do you currently ride? My mountain bike
Why are you into motorcycling? I like to go fast!
What is your favorite saying? “Tosh! FOCUS!!”
What is one of your most embarrassing motorcycle moments? Dropping my bike in the parking lot at 0 KM/h, right in front of my boss.
Pher Hernandez Power Equipment Technician
How many years have you been with Scona Cycle? 6.5 years. It makes me feel old when you talk about years……
What is your motorcycling background? I’ve spent half of my life on two wheels. In my home country it is the cheapest mode of transportation, not to mention the best way to get around because of all of the traffic jams back home.
What is one of your most memorable riding experiences? Back home in the Philippines I would go riding with my friends. I was the only one who could cross all of the rivers riding my XR250.
What do you currently ride? I’m too broke to have one.
Why are you into motorcycling? Firstly it’s fun. Next the freedom and the camaraderie from other riders. You feel like you are a star where everyone looks at you especially when wearing full riding gear.
What is your favorite saying?
What is one of your most embarrassing motorcycle moments? Back in the Philippines when I was riding my motorcycle, I went to stop at a red light and I ended up dropping the bike and myself underneath an 18 wheeler. My leg was stuck under the bike and the truck could not move because I was stuck underneath it. I was lucky that it was 2 am in the morning and there was no police around.