Reservist competes, wins at motorcycle competitions

Published Aug. 28, 2006
By Tech. Sgt. Mary Hinson
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- Riding a motorcycle is second nature for Tech. Sgt. Rob Grimsley, 315th Airlift Wing Family Support. "I've been riding since I was 5 years old."

Growing up in northern Virginia, Sergeant Grimsley said, "It was something to do."

Now, not only does he do it for a living as a Charleston County Sheriff's Office motorcycle cop, but Sergeant Grimsley participates in motorcycle competitions, taking first at the Second Annual Capital City Challenge police motorcycle skills competition (Rodeo) in Tallahassee, Fla., and competing in the first-ever North Charleston competition.

For the Florida competition, the team not only took first place out of 25 teams and 83 riders, but Sergeant Grimsley placed first in the Road King Harley-Davidson Expert division, and he and his partner placed first in the partner ride.

These competitions are "all about making sure you can handle the motorcycle when a hot call comes," said Sergeant Grimsley, who has been competing for three years. "This rodeo helps individuals and us to see how they will respond under pressure."

Although these competitions are far from what real-life situations are, they are created to mirror life as much as possible with live-fire exercises, obstacle courses and memory exercises. Each of the motorcycles entered are certified working police bikes, and participants are dressed in their police uniforms. Competitions usually last three days --two days of practice and one for the final runs.

But, according to Sergeant Grimsley, who tries to go to two or three competitions a year, it isn't all about winning.

"Competition is a small part of it; it's the camaraderie."
The award-winning rider said he can't imagine a better or more challenging job.

"Motorcycle cops can be high liability and high risk," said Sergeant Grimsley, who has been a cop for 16 years.

"It's not like CHIPS," he added, referring to the television program from the late 70s to early 80s many people think of when they think of motorcycle cops.

According to Sergeant Grimsley, the 80-hour course to become a motorcycle cop is "one of the hardest police courses there is. There's a 40 percent fail rate."

The course does not teach beginners; it's focused on teaching advance riders skills they would need in the field.

The skills competitions are also designed to help hone the skills officers need in the line of duty, such as reaction time in certain situations. "It's second nature to them because of these competitions."