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The daunting two-wheeled bicycle trip from Lemoore Naval Air Station to the Naval Postgraduate School did not stop eight motivated NPS cyclists from pushing off from Lemoore, CA during the early morning hours on 26 March. The seed was planted for this adventure four months ago when CAPT Dave Silkey, a former Blue Angle Pilot and future Air Wing Commander at Lemoore, posed a challenge the Naval Post Graduate School’s Cycling Club that involved riding 161 miles and finishing at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. With the Naval Postgraduate Schools Foundation’s support, the challenge was accepted and the training started in early January.
As part of the ride, CAPT Silkey set up a day of flight demonstration and pilot training at Lemoore for NPS Foundation supporters and members. The day included flight simulation time, an up close view day carrier landing demonstration, Air Wing redeployment ceremony then ended in a welcoming of pilots returning from combat action. This once and a lifetime experience was an excellent example of the NPS Foundation’s involvement in the community.
During the final stretch along Highway 68, the team was led by a CHP motorcycle escort. The route included two major mountain ranges and scenic stretches of wildflowers and rolling California hills. The temperatures stated out in the low 40’s and rose into the 70’s by mid-day. The strong 10-15 mph head winds howled and forced the riders to really pull together as a group in order to finish as a team during the last 60 miles of the trip.
A celebration began upon arriving back at NPS at the Trident room as the President of the NPS Foundation, Mr. Bill Warner; met the team along with family and friends to share in the accomplishment of the riders. The team now turns it focus to support for the community and veteran wounded warriors in the Sea Otter Classic Gran Fondo (leisure ride) and road race events on Fort Ord and Laguna Seca raceway. The team will be sponsoring wounded warrior riders in the California area and competing amongst the best racers in California.
If you are interested in joining in on the event, please go to www.seaotterclassic.com or www.npsfoundation.org/cycling_club for more information about the NPS Foundation and NPS Cycling team. The Cycling Club promotes cycling advocacy, espirit de corps and community involvement. Come out and join us this Friday at 0730hrs across from the Del Monte Gate for a ride to Pebble Beach and quick stop for snacks and refreshments.
The students that took part in the ride from Lemoore were CAPT Dave Silkey, LTC(P) Buck Dellinger (Fellow), MAJ Bill Dean (DA), MAJ Chris Bachl (OA), LT(P) Dave Nash (DA), Capt. Tim Merkle (OA), Dave Ramsaur (METOC) and Jeff Linder (Navy Ret.) with ride support provided by MAJ Mike Pinz (OA). Prof. Charlie Racoosin (SSAG) and LT Rob Cizek (OA) provided the final 20 mile push up highway 68. Special thanks goes to Gary and Sandy Laughlin for providing the support vehicle, Brian Smith from Lexus USA and the NPS Foundation staff for supporting the trip and riders.
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