MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The roar of motorcycles came alive at the Crossroads Mall here as riders fired up to participate in the Motorcycle Rodeo hosted by Station Safety May 23.
The rodeo was presented to motorcycle enthusiasts and station residents as a way to have fun while promoting motorcycle safety.
Master Sgt. Sherri Stevenson, a power plant division chief with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and an event participant, said it was a good event with a purpose of testing and enhancing the skills of novice and experienced riders.
The Motorcycle rodeo started out with a Poker Run in which participants drove from one point of the station to another drawing one poker card at each point.
Participants had to accomplish a basic motorcycle maneuver before drawing a card. Once the participating riders received their five cards and returned to the starting point the winner of the event was determined by the one with the highest hand.
Other events included a slow ride competition and a keg roll contest.
Competitors had to demonstrate safety and control while driving down a straight line at reduced speeds during the slow ride competition.
Some of the competitors found the slow ride a bit challenging.
“Anybody can ride fast but it takes real skill to ride slow,” said Stevenson.
During the keg roll, riders had to push a keg down a path using the front wheel of their motorcycle while maintaining balance and control of their bike.
Additional events included a short lecture on safety and an obstacle course and demonstration set up by the Iwakuni Police and Safety Police Iwakuni.
Henry Groones, an event participant, said he enjoyed watching the Iwakuni Police demonstrate their skills on the advanced obstacle course they set up.
A few of the participants were surprised after trying out their skills on the obstacle course.
“It’s a pretty challenging course,” said Groones.
After the obstacle course was over all that remained to do was the Tricycle Racing and the 21-Second Ride. Participants of the tricycle races traded in their chromed-out motorcycles for small yellow painted children tricycles.
Many of the riders struggled to reach the finish line as they furiously pedaled to the end.
During the 21-Second Ride, participants traded their yellow tricycles back for their motorcycles. Riders had to complete an obstacle course designed to teach self-control and light control inputs in no faster or slower than 21 seconds.
After the competitions of the Motorcycle Rodeo ended, the Crossroads Mall became quite again.
James Lowell, a motorcycle instructor with Station Safety said he hoped the participants had a good time during the event.