In the military motorcycle safety has become a hot topic and each unit is required at least annually to conduct a safety briefing for all installation riders. If you’ve spent more than five duty days in service then you’ve been through at least one safety briefing of some sort. Typically these briefings are conducted in either a theater or auditorium with a speaker and very little participation from the audience. In some instances they include finger pointing, foot stomping and occasionally death by power point. The 1st Fighter Wing Safety Office with assistance from the Langley Motorcycle Riders Club (LMRC) and Langley Motorcycle Riders Association (LMRA) came together to offer installation riders something out of the ordinary; “Langley AFB Motorcycle Safety Day and 2nd Annual Bike Show” 11 May 07. What made this safety event different were activities that allowed base riders to actively participate in the day’s events. To start the day cyclists were encouraged to ride their bikes and put them on display with a chance to win trophies and prizes. The “bike show” kicked off the day; the three categories were “Best in Show Cruiser”, “Best in Show Custom” and “Best in Show Sportbike”. Total entrants for the show portion were 105 motorcycles. Trophies and prizes were awarded to each category winner. Guest judges during the show included Headquarters Air Combat Command Chief of Safety, 1st Fighter Wing Medical Group Commander and 480th Intelligence Wing Command Chief. Moving from the “show” portion, on hand were several guest speakers to discuss motorcycle safety, riding techniques, proper protective gear, riding smart, being a “wingman” and mentorship for fellow riders. Guest speakers included 1st Fighter Wing Commander, 1st Fighter Wing Chief of Safety, Virginia Motorcycle Safety Foundation Regional Coordinator, 1st Fighter Wing Safety Office representative and Langley Motorcycle Riders Club representative (see side bar for more detail on the LMRC). Attendance during the “briefing” portion was 254 riders and peak attendance for the day was 350 which included family members, friends, soldiers, sailors and marines that made an unscheduled stop on their way to deployment in support of current operations in the desert. To help keep attendees interested in the day’s events on hand was $6,000 in motorcycle protective apparel sent in support by Komodo Gear. Apparel on display included a variety of leather jackets, textile jackets, leather gloves, textile gloves, leather street riding and race boots, three different styles of full racing leather suits, CE rated back protectors, CE rated armored shirts and three styles of knee sliders. Also on hand was $8,000 in prizes which were raffled off to show goers. Prizes included helmets, leather gloves, textile gloves, textile jackets, CE rated jacket armor, motorcycle luggage/tank bags, Twist of the Wrist Volumes I/II, hats, t-shirts, sweaters, stickers, magazines, Harley Davidson FL slip on exhaust, knee sliders, banners, pens, posters, pit pass holders, custom Schrader valve caps, air gages, digital air gauges, detail/cleaning kits, plastic polish and items signed by road racing legends Doug Chandler, Freddie Spencer and Kevin Schwantz. Mat Mladin, Ben Spies and Tommy Hayden also supported the day by sending signed items. Other activities included a cookout, a slow race skills challenge and having Red Bull Energy on hand. When riders presented their MSF card they received a free lunch consisting of a burger, chips and soda. Cyclists were encouraged to test their slow speed skills by navigating a slow course which encompassed a variety of twists, turns and braking drills. The rider with the longest time through the course won a full face helmet. Red Bull was on hand to pass out free energy drinks to keep the crowd vital and full of zip. Sincerely, Joseph Barton President Langley Motorcycle Riders Club About Langley Motorcycle Riders Club (LMRC) In Nov 2004 a handful of motorcyclist at Langley AFB came together with the idea of forming a base riding club where riders could come together enjoy motorcycles, promote a safe riding environment, mentor inexperienced/new riders, emphasize proper riding gear, further rider education/skills and foster esprit de corps. April 2005 after months of coordination and paper work the LMRC was an officially sanctioned club on Langley. The first event on 19 Apr 05 was having 3x AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler speak to 315 base riders on safety, riding techniques, proper safety gear and a multitude of motorcycle related topics. Other events the LMRC has hosted include Sept 05 Supermoto demo with Dan Green, Mar 06 Langley AFB Annual Motorcycle Safety Brief, Apr 06 Inaugural Motorcycle Show and May 07 Langley AFB Motorcycle Safety Day and 2nd Annual Bike Show. The LMRC continues to emphasize proper riding gear, rider education and furthering rider skills with the hope that we can draw in new/inexperienced riders and make a difference with mentorship and being wingmen.