Photo By Christina Bhatti | Thirty two service members from Camp Taji, Iraq, northwest of Baghdad, take a group...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Honolulu Century Bike Ride rode into Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, Sept. 28, 2008.
Thirty-two Soldiers lined their bikes up before dawn to participate in a 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile courses.
The course was one 12-and-a-half-mile loop. Each 100-mile rider had to complete eight laps.
The ride at Camp Taji was the same day as the ride in Honolulu, only 13 hours earlier and was a way to stay in touch with the state.
"I wanted to stay connected to the people in Hawaii," said Maj. Chris Hanna, a native of Columbia, S.C., and effects coordination officer, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.
Hanna brought the, 27-year old ride, the oldest bike ride in Hawaii, to Iraq for the first time. He participated in the ride in Honolulu last year and said he wanted to bring a piece of home to Iraq.
He did it with some help.
"There was a lot of coordination with the units here, and the Hawaii Bicycle League back in Honolulu," he said.
The coordination paid off. Not only was there a "great turnout," he said, there were many Soldiers who volunteered to help make the ride a success.
Approximately, 40 volunteers helped in many different capacities. They handed out water and snacks, helped riders repair their bikes when they had issues, and ensured accountability of the riders.
"This is exciting and unusual," said Air Force Lt. Col. Sterett Prevost, a native of Shreveport, La., and Electronics Warfare Officer, 2nd SBCT. "We are basically doing the same thing as Honolulu ..., and this is an exciting and unique opportunity."
Prevost was in charge of base operations and ensured all riders were accounted for and had "the safest possible ride and the most enjoyable possible ride," he said.
The riders lined up at 5:30 a.m. There was a blend of riders of all levels and ages. Some serious, with all the best bike gear money can buy and many recreational riders just there for a good time. As different as the riders who participated, the bikes showcased their differences and creative abilities. Some of the bikes were "homemade" on Camp Taji, piecing together different bikes to make one.
Spc. Alyxander Reynolds, a native of Hugoton, Kan., and Soldier assigned to 1st Sustainment Brigade, MND-B built two bikes reminiscent of a chopper motorcycles.
"I just wanted to build a bike that was comfortable and reflects my style," Reynolds said. Reynolds signed up to ride 100 miles, but only completed 37.5 miles on his two custom built bikes. In the future he said he hopes for sponsorship by Orange County Choppers, Orange County, N.Y., and will ride annually in the Honolulu Century Ride.
Approximately 13 hours after the start, the last rider crossed the finish line completing the eighth lap and 100 miles.
"Some of it was rough," Hanna said after finishing 100 miles in just over 7 hours, "but it was a good experience."
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2008 17:30 |
| Story ID: | 24251 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 616 |
| Downloads: | 575 |
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