Safety, DFMWR to hold motorcycle safety ride at USAG Ansbach

By USAG Ansbach Safety OfficeMay 7, 2014

Motorcycle
In this Army file photo from 2013, motorcyclists at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, finished with safety exercises, ride off an airfield in preparation for a group ride. The USAG Ansbach Safety Office and Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Rec... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANSBACH, Germany (April 28, 2014) -- May is National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month and U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Safety Office are hosting a motorcycle rally and group ride to Ochsenfurt and Kitzingen near Würzburg May 16.

"The event is open to all motorcycle riders in the USAG Ansbach community," said EJ Singleton, garrison safety manager. "However, Department of Army civilians and host-nation employees must be on leave to participate. Military riders simply need their unit concurrence."

"Last year, we rode to Geiselwind and joined up with the riders from Schweinfurt and Bamberg for a barbecue," said Ta'Vares Hickey, garrison safety specialist. "The food was great but the company was better.

"Although every rider has a favorite make or style of bike, all riders share the same passion for the open roadways and freedom," continued Hickey. "It's that passion that makes it possible for strangers to form a connection. It is also out of respect and shared passion that riders acknowledge and greet each other in the traffic environment with the biker's wave, a greeting reserved for riders alone."

"Ansbach has a large motorcycle riding community and we want the riders to saddle up and fall into riding formation for a round trip ride to the Ochsenfurt/Kitzingen area," said Singleton. "We will stop and have lunch at Miss Pepper: American Restaurant along the way."

Motorcycle rodeos and group rides allow military riders to share their tales of the open road, boast a little and tease each other. They can also help the riders connect to each other and reinforce positive riding values.

The safety office will conduct T-CLOCS -- tires, wheels, controls, lights, oil, chassis and stands -- inspections, discuss the Ready and Resilient Campaign, practice selective braking and turning exercises and group ride exercises. Before taking to the road riders will get a safety briefing on the hazards along the route and then form up for the ride.

To learn more, including when and where the group will meet and how to sign up, contact the Safety Office by clicking "USAG Ansbach Safety Office" in the "Related Links" section above.

Related Links:

Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation

USAG Ansbach Safety Office