thedrifter
04-16-09, 06:50 AM
Bikes, Tattoos and Barbecues: Motorcycle enthusiasts gather at annual Oshima Island bike meeting
4/17/2009 By Lance Cpl. Daniel Negrete , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan —Japanese and American motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at Katazoe Beach for the 6th Annual Oshima Island Camp Meeting April 11 and 12.
The event was organized by the Iwakuni Motorcycle Club and attracted approximately 500 motorcyclists from across the country.
“We’ve got riders here from as far north as Tokyo and as far south as Nagasaki,” said Michael K. Gingles, Iwakuni Motorcycle Club president. “It’s our shared passion for motorcycles that brings us together at an event like this.”
The gathering transformed a normally quiet Japanese campground into a loud and festive scene with motorcycles roaring in the background, tattooed motorcyclists walking about and the smell of barbecues wafting in the air.
The campground promptly became one massive coil of parked bikes, tents, portable charcoal grills, food stands, clothes vendors and an impromptu amphitheater where local bands jammed heavy metal classics throughout the night.
“The whole atmosphere made me feel like I was wasn’t even in Japan,” said Pfc. Owen O. Valdivia, who volunteered at the event as a traffic guide. “The clear water beaches, palm tree lined streets, beach front hotels and the sound of motorcycles roaring in the background brought me right back home to Tampa, Florida.”
Oshima Island is a favorite destination for the Iwakuni Motorcyle Club.
According to Gingles, its prestine beaches and palm tree lined streets remind club members of their favorite rides back in the states.
Last year, members of the Iwakuni Motorcycle Club met with the island’s mayor, Tomio Nakamoto, to hand him 200,000 yen in cash that the club had earned during the 5th Annual Oshima Island Camp Meeting.
“One of the main reasons we put together this event is so we can earn money to give right back to the community,” said Gingles. “We’re eager to find out how much money was made at this year’s camp meeting so we can know how much we’re going to be able to give away this year.”
The club’s donations are used by Oshima officials for elderly care and traffic safety measures on the island.
In addition to making monetary donations to the island, club members and service members here frequently participate in beach clean-ups on Oshima Island and make visits to elderly care facilities.
“Our club’s main goal is to foster a good relationship with the local community on Oshima Island and here in Iwakuni,” said Gingles. “We’re always trying to come up with different and better ways to give back to the community.
The Iwakuni Motorcycle Club’s next event will take place during Friendship Day here May 5.
The club’s members will perform a “thunder run” along the runway and one of the club’s members will even race an airplane as it takes off.
Information, photos and schedules pertaining to the Iwakuni Motorcycle Club can be accessed on the club’s website: www.iwakunimotorcycle.com
Ellie
4/17/2009 By Lance Cpl. Daniel Negrete , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan —Japanese and American motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at Katazoe Beach for the 6th Annual Oshima Island Camp Meeting April 11 and 12.
The event was organized by the Iwakuni Motorcycle Club and attracted approximately 500 motorcyclists from across the country.
“We’ve got riders here from as far north as Tokyo and as far south as Nagasaki,” said Michael K. Gingles, Iwakuni Motorcycle Club president. “It’s our shared passion for motorcycles that brings us together at an event like this.”
The gathering transformed a normally quiet Japanese campground into a loud and festive scene with motorcycles roaring in the background, tattooed motorcyclists walking about and the smell of barbecues wafting in the air.
The campground promptly became one massive coil of parked bikes, tents, portable charcoal grills, food stands, clothes vendors and an impromptu amphitheater where local bands jammed heavy metal classics throughout the night.
“The whole atmosphere made me feel like I was wasn’t even in Japan,” said Pfc. Owen O. Valdivia, who volunteered at the event as a traffic guide. “The clear water beaches, palm tree lined streets, beach front hotels and the sound of motorcycles roaring in the background brought me right back home to Tampa, Florida.”
Oshima Island is a favorite destination for the Iwakuni Motorcyle Club.
According to Gingles, its prestine beaches and palm tree lined streets remind club members of their favorite rides back in the states.
Last year, members of the Iwakuni Motorcycle Club met with the island’s mayor, Tomio Nakamoto, to hand him 200,000 yen in cash that the club had earned during the 5th Annual Oshima Island Camp Meeting.
“One of the main reasons we put together this event is so we can earn money to give right back to the community,” said Gingles. “We’re eager to find out how much money was made at this year’s camp meeting so we can know how much we’re going to be able to give away this year.”
The club’s donations are used by Oshima officials for elderly care and traffic safety measures on the island.
In addition to making monetary donations to the island, club members and service members here frequently participate in beach clean-ups on Oshima Island and make visits to elderly care facilities.
“Our club’s main goal is to foster a good relationship with the local community on Oshima Island and here in Iwakuni,” said Gingles. “We’re always trying to come up with different and better ways to give back to the community.
The Iwakuni Motorcycle Club’s next event will take place during Friendship Day here May 5.
The club’s members will perform a “thunder run” along the runway and one of the club’s members will even race an airplane as it takes off.
Information, photos and schedules pertaining to the Iwakuni Motorcycle Club can be accessed on the club’s website: www.iwakunimotorcycle.com
Ellie