FORT SILL, Okla. (Oct. 24, 2013) -- More than 30 motorcyclists from the 214th Fires Brigade gathered for a motorcycle mentor ride Oct. 17, touring the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and Mount Scott en route to a group luncheon in Lawton.
The ride kick-started early with a class on safety at the Grierson Hill Chapel. The class covered concerns such as group riding principles, rider perceptions and tire safety.
Following the class, all riders performed extensive safety and mechanical inspections of their bikes before setting off on a thunderous 60-mile safety ride through the refuge. The route gave riders spots to display proper riding techniques on narrow and winding roads that could be practiced and evaluated.
The clear but cool weather gave riders the perfect conditions to accomplish the primary goals of the motorcycle mentorship program: to have fun, improve control, develop comfort and practice perfect techniques, all of which work to create a motorcycling culture built on safety.
"We meet like this to prevent accidents by ensuring when we see unsafe behavior we can correct it on the spot," said 1st Sgt. Johannes Bowers, 529th Network Support Company, who serves as the brigade's motorcycle mentor.
He went on to say the program can benefit riders of any age and all experience levels since "it's all about adding more skills to our toolboxes, continuing education and becoming better riders."
The Army's Motorcycle Mentorship Program was adopted from a successful Air Force program in 2006, when the Army noticed that Soldier deaths due to motorcycle accidents was rising every year. The program has grown every year since, and its success can be seen in the steady decline of motorcycle accidents since 2008. The program works by pairing new riders with trained and experienced riders to foster a safety-minded approach to one of life's most liberating activities.
By working with a mentor and riding with other motorcyclists, riders can observe proper techniques in real-world situations and be corrected when they make mistakes.
One such mentorship was Spc. Cody Curtis and his mentor Sgt. Chris Otter from the 696th Forward Support Company. Curtis was the ride's rookie with only six months experience on his bike. Otter, on the other hand, is one of its veterans with more than 15 years riding experience.
"This is a great opportunity for somebody like me," said Curtis, "I want to learn to ride better, work on my safety and learn to fix any bad habits I have; this is the perfect place to do that."
The riders set off from Fort Sill with the blessings of Maj. Xuan Tran, brigade chaplain. Bikers rolled out in three groups of about 10 riders.
"It was a nice, easy ride where everybody stayed together and watched out for one another," said Sgt. Joshua Winegeart, A Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion.
The groups rumbled through Apache Gate and across the Oklahoma prairie like troops of mounted cavalry in Fort Sill's days of old, smiles beaming on the faces not bundled against the cool, morning air as they rode for the refuge on the first day it reopened since the government shutdown.
Enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and scenic vista atop Mount Scott, the diversity of the group became apparent. The motorcycles were of all types and the riders of varying ages and experience levels. The youngest in attendance was Lilly Fey, the granddaughter of Sgt. 1st Class Harold Pruitt, 696th FSC.
"I decided to ride this with my granddaughter who loves riding," he said. "It brings an awareness that safety is not just about you, yourself, but also those around you."
Pruitt's viewpoint is a sentiment often reflected in the words of his fellow riders, who used the break on Mount Scott to talk with one another about taking blind curves, road hazards and other tricky road conditions.
The ride concluded with lunch in where riders could discuss safe riding habits and insights with one another.
Others however, remained in the parking lot to practice skills and test ride different bikes, verifying that the program's mission of fostering safety practices and building camaraderie was effective.
For anyone who might look upon motorcyclists with a touch of envy, Bowers emphasized all Soldiers who wish to ride should talk with their unit's motorcycle mentors before they even shop for a bike.
"Taking the time to get trained and certified through the free Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses offered on base will save you money on insurance, point you toward the bike right for you and get you started out riding on the right foot.
"The safe one," he said.
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