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thedrifter
06-26-09, 08:02 AM
Freestyle training
Local bases launch Semper Ride in an effort to better train motorcycling Marines
June 25, 2009 - 4:16 PM
DEANNA MURPHY

The Marine Corps' motorcycle safety programs "get repetitive," said Lance Cpl. Chris Brock.

Thursday's Semper Ride program, however, broke the training sessions' boring streak.

"This is definitely pretty cool, the whole thing," Brock said as he watched three professional stunt riders drive their street bikes up one ramp and fly onto the next.

Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station and Cherry Point Air Station each showed "Semper Ride Motorcycling the Right Way," movie which focused on safety tips, gear and procedures for motorcycles and hosting motorcycle freestyle demonstrations.

There was also a poker run between the installations.

Red Bull, Southeastern Steel Choppers, New River Harley Davidson and AAA were just a few of the vendors who set up booths behind Goettge Memorial Field House on Camp Lejeune.

"Click It or Ticket" also set up their drunk driving simulator for Marines and sailors to experience the effects of alcohol while behind the wheel.

Of course, the stars of the show were the street bike freestyle riders warming up on bike ramps.

Brock, who owns an R6 street bike himself, said that Semper Ride was better than the safety programs the Marine Corps usually has, courtesy of the stunt riders and the movie premiere.

"It's pretty important for inexperienced riders to be here," he said.

Pfc. Carlton Tietjen, who began riding sport bikes when he was 10, said that Semper Ride could be "a real learning experience" for those who do not own motorcycles.

He thinks safety programs, like Semper Ride, are important because "Marines don't pay attention to (motorcycle) rules," he said.

"They don't sit down to learn to ride one," he said, explaining that people just want to jump on a bike. He said it's important to "make sure you take the courses and wear proper (protective equipment)."

The Marine Corps, however, is helping ensure that Marines and sailors learn about the two-wheeled machines that caused more Marine deaths in 2008 than the war in Iraq.

Cape Fox Professional Services first teaches the military servicemen all of the skills they will need to have when riding their bike, right down to how to get on and off of their bike, through the Basic Riding Course and later the Experienced Riding Course, said Ray Howe, with CFPS.

"Anything that has to do with motorcycles, we teach it," Howe said, adding that Marines and sailors used to have to go to Coastal Carolina Community College for the course. "It's easy to go 100 miles per hour in a straight line, but not as easy to drive slow in maneuvers."



Contact Deanna Murphy at dmurphy@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.

Ellie