Harley Steps Up Support For Bikes Over Baghdad BMX Exhibition Team

Fresh on the heels of the latest Bikes Over Baghdad tour to Iraq and Kuwait last December, Harley-Davidson announced its continued support for the young, passionate BMX stunt team that has been sweeping U.S. military bases overseas with its high-adrenaline, high-action stunt shows.

Bikes Over Baghdad, an American team made up of some of the world’s best BMX athletes, announcers and ramp builders, will travel to Qatar near Saudi Arabia March 8-13 to perform at Al Udeid Air Force Base, with support from Harley-Davidson. In addition to the Qatar tour, Harley-Davidson and Bikes Over Baghdad announced they are in the planning stages for the next major tour to Iraq and Kuwait timed for later this year.

“The next Bikes Over Baghdad tour planned for Iraq and Kuwait will be bigger than ever and will include more ways for folks back home to get involved,” said Christian Schauf, creator of Bikes Over Baghdad and program manager. “Details are still coming together, but in the meantime, we’re thrilled to be able to send the team to Qatar this month to perform for more of America’s finest.”

Last December was the third trip for the Bikes Over Baghdad team, but was the first time Harley got involved. To reinforce its support for the troops and its long-standing commitment to the U.S. Military, Harley-Davidson sent one of its own to experience the positive impact of the BMX performances on troop morale.

“I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the Bikes Over Baghdad team on a 10-day tour to Iraq and Kuwait, and it was a moving and mind-blowing experience,” said Mike McCann, marketing director at Harley-Davidson. “Seeing their smiles and feeling the gratitude of these troops made me proud to help continue the Harley-Davidson tradition of supporting those serving our country in the military.”

Photos from the tour last December can be found on Harley-Davidson’s Facebook page. Word about Bikes Over Baghdad has spread throughout the military bases in the Middle East, and demand for the shows is at an all-time high. In fact, the team has already received requests for additional tours at bases in the U.S. and other locations around the world.

Each time the Bikes Over Baghdad team – made up of Chad Kagy, Brian Kachinsky, Mike Escamilla, Anthony Napolitan, Drew Bezanson, Zack Yankush, Mykel Larrin, Ron Kimler and Nate Wessel – travels overseas to perform stunt shows for the troops, they leave behind their daily lives and families, their professional BMX careers, and the comforts of home, all to show their deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for our service men and women.

“Having been over to Iraq three times now, we all feel even more excited and honored to be able to do what we do with Bikes Over Baghdad,” said Kachinsky. “Every time we go, we come back having met thousands of amazing men and women, having had these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and feeling completely changed and humbled by the entire experience.”

The athletes will perform two shows for several thousand U.S. military and coalition forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Force Base. In addition to the shows, giveaways and autographed posters, the Harley-Davidson sponsored tour features a high level of interaction with the troops. Ramp builders invite soldiers to help them build and the riders spend their days visiting the troops where they work and live, giving thousands of service men and women one-on-one time with the athletes not seen in other tours.