2008 U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team

Air Force Second Lieutenant Zach Garrett

DOB: 14 May 1984
Current residence: Sumter, SC
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Cycling strengths: All-Arounder
Current military job: Aerospace Physiologist

Why did you join the military? To serve the country

Previous sports: Swimming and Triathlon

How did you get started in cycling? I began riding mountain bikes in middle school and eventually started racing. At some point I got roped into doing a triathlon, and from there I gave road cycling a shot. After just a couple of races and group rides, I was hooked and haven’t looked back since.

Most memorable race and/or experience in cycling:  In the summer of 2007 I was obsessed with track cycling and was trying to qualify for the Olympic talent pool for cycling.  During my physiology officer training school, I drove 4 hours to the Dallas velodrome to race.  Four laps into the 25 lap race I crossed wheels the wrong way with some guys and went down hard.  Four of us ended up being taken to the emergency room for x-rays, head scans, etc.  I was discharged with 5 stitches and 16 staples in my leg and had to show up to class the following Monday bandaged up like a mummy. Coincidentally, several of my co-workers met me that week and my story of falling off my bike and almost killing myself beat me to my first base.

Most memorable experience in the military:  Within my first few months I was left as the Officer in Charge/Flight Commander.  During that time our multi-million dollar chamber experienced a significant malfunction.  With the help of the best NCOs and Airmen everybody came out of the chamber in tip top shape.  Despite being a relative blemish on the report, it was a real “character building” experience.

2007 Top cycling results:
2nd – Alkek 48-Lap Scratch Race
3rd – July Challenge Road Race series
4th – Alkek Velo Track Race Overall
5th – Ft. Collins Road Race
11th – Collegiate Nationals Road Race
14th – Collegiate Nationals Individual Omnium