Team McConnell holds Motorcycle Mentorship Ride

  • Published
  • By Airman Erin McClellan
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Members of Team McConnell participated in a motorcycle mentorship ride, May 20, around the Wichita, Kansas, area in an effort to promote motorcycle safety.

More than 40 people took part in the ride to learn more about motorcycle safety through hands-on training with some of McConnell's more experienced riders.

"The mentorship ride is an opportunity for our younger riders to pair up with people who are more experienced, learn from them and have a little bit of fellowship on the side as well," said Lt. Col. Joey Markusfeld, 22nd Air Refueling Wing director of staff.

The riders learned valuable lessons to help them ride more safely in the future, to include tips about proper safety gear.

"Sometimes wearing all the [personal protective equipment] starts to seem unnecessary, and hearing other people's stories about the close calls they've had was a good reminder of why I need to wear it," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Johnson, 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fire and refueler truck mechanic.

The event covered several different terrains, such as highways, city and country roads to allow everyone to become more comfortable with situations they may encounter while riding.

"Something the other riders stressed was to ride within our limits," said Johnson. "It's something I've learned personally, and it's always good to be reminded not to push yourself too hard if you're not confident in your abilities."

Whether riders are new or have years of experience, when they team up with others who have had different experiences and who can offer new advice, they can always learn more about motorcycle safety.

"Being a motorcycle rider means a lifetime of learning; you can always learn something new every time you do something like this," Markusfeld said.