Combat Center Road Bike Criterium promotes Earth Day

Photo By Cpl. Thomas Mudd | Cpl. Mitch Braun, Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided Missile System gunner, TOW Platoon, 1st Tank Battalion, passes the first place trophy to Retired Master Sgt. Tom Gardner after the Earth Day Road Bike Criterium, held aboard the Combat Center, April 23, 2015. The trophy was made from recycled bicycle parts and a lid from an ammunition crate. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas Mudd/Released)  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

04.23.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas Mudd 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Combat Center road bike cyclists pedaled for a cause during the Earth Day Road Bike Criterium, held aboard the Combat Center, April 23, 2015.

Semper Fit and Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs held the race to promote Earth Day with the theme of recycling and allowed Combat Center patrons a chance to enjoy friendly competition.

“This is the first time we have held something like this,” said Eddy Valls, compliant support supervisor, NREA. “We worked together with Semper Fit to promote an activity that is not seen a lot on base.”

Approximately 20 racers participated in the 8.8-mile race, which started at the corner of 15th Street and Dunham Street, then continued down to Gillespie Street and returned to the start via 15th street.

“I think the participants enjoyed the event,” said Danielle McKeever, athletic branch head, Semper Fit. “We don’t have events like this on base.”

Semper Fit and NREA plan on continuing these types of races and hope to add more bicycle races next year.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2015
• Date Posted: 04.24.2015 15:59
• Story ID: 161204
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US