Training Camp Wrap-Up
3 March 2008

The spring Armed Forces Cycling Training Camp (24 Feb - 3 Mar, San Antonio) was a huge success!

The primary purpose of the camp was team building, skill building and season planning -- we accomplished this and much more! We were able to train 3-5 hours each day in the rolling terrain just north of San Antonio. The weather was perfect and our stay was very productive.

The Randolph AFB Services staff gave us first-class support from start to finish. Lodging was comfortable and convenient; we were all in the same building of suites and near to each other. They assisted with vehicles so that only one rental was necessary. We were able to eat at the dining facility. They set up a top-notch reception/team presentation and gave us marketing support as well. Their support made all the difference!

We spent a lot of time doing endurance rides and practicing skills such as: pacelining - where riders rotate through the front of the group and break the wind for the other riders, if done efficiently it keeps the speed of group high with less effort by individual riders; echeloning - an advanced pace lining skill where riders take the wind into account when positioning themselves in the paceline; lead outs - another advanced pace lining skill at speed that is used to setup a sprinter for winning at the end of a race; wheel changing - the technique for giving a wheel to a higher-placed teammate who flats while other team members wait to pace this leader back to the group; car support - motor pacing back to the group after a flat and dropping back to the car for team bottles or other support.

In addition to training, we had daily team meetings on a wide range of topics, including season layout, tentative schedules, expectations, budgets, sponsorship and endurance nutrition. Everything was focused on setting the tone and preparing for a successful season.

A visit to The Center for the Intrepid, a training ride with Lance Armstrong, and a final-day training race capped off the week!

Photos from training camp:
Holly Borowski
Sean Coleman
George Ganoung
Zach Garrett
Ian Holt
Bill Jacobus
Chris Judy
Ken Young
Bill and Chris set the pace during a training ride
The Marines need to sort out who is faster!
A nice echelon
Holly takes the practice sprint!
Ian takes charge of the lead out train
A photo break on the first day
Hours and hours on the bike
Zach leads the way
More hours on the bike