Enjoy the ride Published Sept. 20, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Heather M. Norris 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The first Thursday of every month, the regular Club Eifel karaoke club crowd is replaced by carefree attitudes, harmless jokes and friendly banter of the Eifel Riders Green Knights Chapter 27 meeting. The Eifel Riders started in 2001 and voted to become part of the Green Knights national organization in 2005. The Eifel Riders Green Knights Chapter 27 now has 45 members who meet by-law criteria, however, any motorcycle owner is welcome to attend the meetings and join the rides. Michael Novak, Chapter 27 vice president, opened the floor to new and old business aimed at creating meaningful experiences for its members. The meeting's agenda covered a variety of topics to include riders' capabilities, value added from mentorship, upcoming rides and rallies, annual officer elections and some recipe sharing for the annual party planning. The obstacles faced by any group or organization with regular work schedules are further complicated by the unique challenges of military members to include deployments, temporary duty taskings, inspections, exercises and permanent change of station assignments. These challenges also make it difficult to mentor riders explained Tech. Sgt. Sean Anderson, group member. "I get called by group commanders all the time to mentor new riders," said Tech. Sgt. Cook, 4-year member. "Being a rider makes it your job to teach them safe riding skills. An educated rider is a safe rider. We don't want unsafe riders out there. We are all about mentoring people." In addition, every military installation is required to have a motorcycle-safety mentorship program and this chapter works closely with the installation safety office, as it is often short on instructors. One of the most successful partnerships are the motorcycle safety days said Sergeant Anderson. During this event, riders complete drills from the class, as well as ride on the narrow and unforgiving Eifel roads. "There are lots of turns and no shoulders or places to stop if you have a problem," Mr. Novak said. "If you make a mistake, you are risking your life." Less than ideal weather presents another challenge to motorcycle riders in the Eifel. However, riding in fair weather does not facilitate skill enhancement added Sergeant Cook. "Riding in bad weather forces you to be more cautious," Sergeant Cook said. "The bad weather brings an additional element to riding. It makes you better." "If you can ride here, you can ride anywhere," added Lisa Novak, new rider and group member. There are benefits of learning to ride in Europe, such as the very experienced German drivers who sometimes undergo years of drivers training before becoming licensed, Mrs. Novak explained. "The German drivers are always looking out for others on the road," said Mrs. Novak. "I am just learning how to ride, and it is better to learn over here as the roads are more challenging, but the drivers are more aware." Beyond the safety benefits, Chapter 27 likes to get together, have fun and ride. Some of the female members expressed a desire for participation by more female riders within the group and advise not to be intimidated by the number of females who participate. "Everyone can come - Harleys, cruisers and sports bikes," Sergeant Cook said. Camaraderie and the joy of riding are what bring the Eifel Green Riders together once a month, but some also attend because of the friendships that they foster. "Some friendships made within this chapter last far beyond their time at Spangdahlem," Gerald Weir, rider and member, said. "We become very close and are there for each other all the time." For more information about the Eifel Rider Green Knights Chapter 27, visit www.eifelriders.com.