Dover AFB Chapter #49 Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 1

jtkai007 · Dover AFB Chapter #49 Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 1

Dover AFB Green Knights, Chapter #49 36 Bellflower Lane, Magnolia, DE 19962
Volume 1 Issue 1 December 2009
FRIENDSHIP THROUGH MOTORCYCLING
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mike Hamblin, Ch #49 President
December Member Highlight
My name is Mike Hamblin and this is your new news letter. This
2 page news letter will be published every other month to keep
you informed about Green Knight, Chapter #49 Dover AFB happenings.
Last October we held a BIKETOBER event where Ed
Renneckar led 15 other riders through the streets of Dover. they
visited Dimond Motor Sports, L & S, Hog Heaven and SPEED
WERKS. Before leaving the gates of Dover AFB, the riders took
part in some skills refresher training on the base range. Riders
stayed in formation as they rode through the streets of Dover on a
bright fall day. The ride was capped off by lunch at Buffalo Wild
Wings where the group discussed the election of the top two
officers in the local chapter. Ed and I are happy to be nominated
to be your President & Vice respectfully.
Ed Renneckar, Green Knights Ch #49 Vice-President next to his 2007
Yellow 1098.
I have been riding since i was a kid, first on the back of my dad’s
BSA then on my own dirt bikes and dual purpose, then street
bikes like 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S, another 1992 Nighthawk
750, and now i split my riding between a 2005 Honda 919
(naked sport bike) and my 2007 Ducati1098. I affectionatly call
the 1098 “MY DUC!” I first learned about Green Knights when i
was stationed at Travis AFB in 2005. At that time the Air Force was
starting to concentrate on motorcyce crashes involving sport bikes
which were on the rise. I felt that all motorcyclist were geing
looked at as “a bunch of crazy people, with not much sense and
no training.” A small group of us “Crazies” got together and stood
up a Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club to Travis. The local
Chapter gave us a platform to talk to base leadership about motorcycle
safety. I also got the opportunity to take the Motorcycle
Safety Foundation’s Rider Coach Prep class. This class really
tested my abilities over the 65 hours of instruction. I started coaching
the Basic Rider Course in California where we rode 365. I
learned how to ride in weather...hey what’s a little rain, right?
Soon after becoming a Rider Coach, i used my position to voice
motorcycle safety and training to my wing leadership. They listened
and soon we were doing quarterly saftey days, including
some exercises on the base range where BRC was conducted
on weekends. We also got some of those leaders out to take the
BRC for themselves. They were surprised about the level of
training given and felt confident about the skills of riders after the
proper training. Now that i am back at Dover AFB, i look forward to
riding with my new Green Knight brothers & sisters.
Green Knight Chapter #49 members stand be side their motorcycles
during BIKETOBER 2008. The group rode through the streets of Dover
with Green Knights National President and founder, Adam Buehler.
Our next GK Ch #49 meeting is 11 December 08 at 5 PM
in the 3d Airlift Sq auditorium, Building 204, Dover
AFB. Contact Mike Hamblin for more info at 535-8282.
Agenda for this meeting is Election of officers, future
rides and more...So plan to be there!
Page 2 THE RIDER Volume 1 Issue 1
Dover Ch #49 Green Knights News
This is your newsletter! If you have a story for the Rider, email me
at, erenneckar@yahoo.com Thanks to the riders who sent stories
and features for this edition. -Ed
MEMBERS WANTED!
Pass this news letter on to other motorcylists
who want to be part of this Military Motorcycle
Club
From The Editor Dec Tech Tip
If you don’t plan to ride your motorcycle this winter, wash & wax it
before storing it in a dry garage. Disconnect the battery and store it
separately. Buy a trickle charger to keep the battery charged and
ready to go. If you have a great tip to pass on to our riders, email
Mike or Ed.
Founding Members
Mike Haamblin Ed Renneckar
About the Green Knights
The Green Knights (GK’S) is a military motorcycle club (MMC) that
was formed back in late 1999 and formaly reconized in early 2000 at
McGuire AFB, New Jersey. It was the idea of Adam Buehler to
organize base motorcycleists for activities and to bring awareness
to them. With the aid of the base MSF instructor, Jeff Richards they
were abot to organize and create a club where riders can get together,
discuss issues of the base, fight for biker rights, help each
other, and go on rides. Most of all, enjoy their bikes and share a
common interest. After gathering up a handful of riders from the
base, they were able to form the first chapter of the Green Knights
at McGuire AFB, NJ. It was a start of a slowly growing trend that
has erupted into not just the Air Forse but across the board of the
military. Our by-laws, policies, and mentorship outlines have become
the basis of the AF current policy to have a motorcycle club
on every base. Currently there are almost 50 chapters The club is
here for you it is yours. This is a club for the base populace and
their dependants. Members range from the Airmen to Retirees,
Dependants to DoD Civilians. Members are just asked to ride safe
and have fun. The Green Knights work hand and hand with the
Wing Safety Office and Security Forces to help riders retain their
rights and still follow the regulations of the Air Force. The Green
Knights stand for SAFETY. Our Safety Director keeps the club
updated on Department Of Defense, Department Of Transportation,
and local changes to traffic regulations. The Executive Board
also disseminates these changes to non-club members. We fight
for motorcyclists rights on base and had our first annual Motorcycle
Awareness Ride this past spring, to let people know we’re out
there (lots of us). The Green Knights do not discriminate against
any type of motorcycle or scooter. We are always looking for new
members. If you are a military, retired, DoD, or Military Contractor
motorcycle rider, and would like to learn more about joining the
Green Knights, contact Mike Hamblin at 670-4005 or Ed Renneckar
at 747-7898. RIDE SAFE!
Looking forward to riding in 2009? So are we! Working with
wing saftey to bring you organized base events like a run way
ride and base organized rides. We are looking for a permanent
place to meet.
MSF News! New Sport Bike class
Since 1973 the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has set internationally
recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists
with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public
information programs. The MSF works with the federal government,
state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all
skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling.
The MSF is a notfor-profit organization sponsored by
BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM,
Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM
locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.
Who is the MSF?
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 31, 2008 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s
Military SportBike RiderCourseSM, developed in close collaboration
with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army safety centers, is now available
to all branches of the Department of Defense. Developed to
address the increasing number of military personnel who are involved
in sport bike crashes, the MSF Military SportBike
RiderCourse is a “next-level” training course for military riders
who have completed the MSF Basic RiderCourse. The one-day
course consists of approximately three hours of classroom interactive
lessons and four hours of on-cycle range time, and is taught by
instructors (RiderCoaches) who receive additional training and
special MSF certification to teach the course. “The goal is to provide
riders with a way to further develop personal riding strategies
and decision-making abilities to help them minimize their risk,” said
Dr. Ray Ochs, MSF director of training systems. The classroom
segment focuses on the behavioral aspects of riding such as attitude
and personal risk assessment, and includes discussions about
braking proficiency, cornering techniques, traction management,
and characteristics unique to sport bikes. The hands-on range session
builds on these topics by providing riders the opportunity to
develop and improve skills in braking, cornering and swerving.