50th Space Wing Public Affairs
8/7/2013 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A group of nine Schriever and Buckley Air Force Base Airmen traversed more than 400 miles July 21-27 as part of Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
The seven-day bicycle ride across the state began in Council Bluffs and concluded in Fort Madison. The Airmen represented the Air Force Cycling Team-Colorado, which was also part of the 92-member Air Force team.
"The main reason we participated was to support the Air Force recruiting program," said Master Sgt. Patrick Hampton, 11th Space Warning Squadron Detachment 1 additional duty first sergeant and flight chief of standardization and evaluation.
During the weeklong event, the Airmen were on a temporary duty status representing the Air Force.
"You get to talk about the Air Force, promote the service," said Hampton, the Colorado team captain. "It's a big recruitment event."
Capt. Michael Hall, 11th Space Warning Squadron, said it is a great chance to represent the Air Force.
"I met some amazing people," Hall said. "I saw some beautiful country and changed a lot of flat tires for my fellow bikers. I have never been thanked so much for my military service than during the ride. It was very humbling."
Lee Anne Backes, 50th Space Wing Program Management Directorate acquisition project manager, participated in the event because she was interested in joining the Air Force cycling team.
"It sounded a like lot of fun and it was a great opportunity to meet other people on the Air Force team," Backes said.
Throughout the week, cyclists passed through 30-40 towns, country sides and cities as well as some historic places every day. At the end of the day, designated Iowa communities served as hosts for overnight stays.
"Teamwork was very important during this ride because one of the things the cycling team does is help other riders with flat tires and more," Hampton said. "One of the requirements for us is if we see anybody broke down on the side of the road, we stop, assist them and help them get back on the road. This included changing tires, fixing gears and any other issues."
Hampton said there have been times when people crash and the Air Force members would provide self aid buddy care, help them out, direct traffic around them and make sure they were safe.
To prepare for the ride, the team members rode more than a thousand miles locally on weekends and before work.
"The group would meet in the mornings and the weekends and ride the back road, about a 20-mile loop," Hampton said.
Backes had already been preparing for a triathlon event since January so she didn't have a specific training.
"My training already benefitted me for the ride across Iowa," she said. "I also did a lot of biking before the event."
Though the ride wasn't a race, it still had some difficulties.
"The hard part of the ride was just toward the middle of the weekend when you're a little sore because you're putting in so many miles," Hampton said.
For Hall, the difficult part was the change in the environment.
"It was the 94-degree heat with humidity," he said. "All our training rides were in the cool Colorado mornings, and sleeping in tents at night with no air conditioning after a long day of riding."
However, the participants still enjoyed their time.
"It was amazing," Backes said. "The riding was fantastic."
Hampton echoed the same sentiment and appreciated the Iowans for their hospitality.
"The people would give us help, fix our bikes and more," he said. "That's what made the ride special to represent and talk about the Air Force, ride across Iowa, and know and enjoy the people along the way."
The Colorado team is scheduled to participate in Tour de Cure Aug. 17 in Boulder, Colo., as well as in other future local charity events. For more information or to join the team, call Hampton at 567-4038.
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