'Thunder Battalion' conducts motorcycle safety ride

By Larry B BApril 7, 2015

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Lupe Castillo, a Soldier belonging to Co. B, 519th Military Intelligence Battalion, exits a car after seeing how difficult a motorcyclist is to see in different positions behind a car prior to embarking on the mentorship ride April 1 led by the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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The purpose of mentorship and safety rides are to ensure that Soldiers are properly licensed to operate motorcycles, have all required protective equipment, individual's motorcycles are in proper working order and for the motorcycle mentor to observe and advise riders of their riding habits.

"I love that everyone showed up for the ride today from brigade and both battalions," said Staff Sgt. Schon Kirkland, 519th MI Bn. motorcycle mentor. "The point of the ride was to have a safe group ride that was both informative on 'how-to' and enjoyable."

The ride allowed some of the newer riders get some experience with riding in groups and communication on the road.

"Today's ride helped me work on my group riding, keep proper spacing and signal the riders behind me," said Spc. Lupe Castillo, Bravo Company, 519th MI Bn. "I really liked the route, it had some really nice turns in it, nice distance and nice open roads."

Staff Sgt. Kirkland noted that the "Thunder Battalion" usually does two mentorship rides during the year.

"We usually do a ride at the beginning of the riding season (April) and one at the end of the season (September) but I'd like to add a winter ride if scheduling permits," said Staff Sgt. Kirkland. "I'd like to do a ride that will let the riders experience riding in cold weather."

For information about future rides with the 519th MI Bn., check their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/THUNDERBN as well as the 525th MI Brigade Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/525th-BfSB.