NREA hosts annual Mountain Bike Ride

Twentynine Palms -- Twenty riders helped the Combat Center’s Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs division kick off Earth Day month with an 11-mile ride on the installation’s new Combat Center’s Bike Trail April 10, 2017.

The poker-style ride started off in the morning, with participants grabbing a playing card at the end of every lap they completed. At the end of the ride, participants used their cards in a hand of poker to determine who would win prizes.

“We were able to use the training area east mountain bike trail system for the ride this year,” said Lt. Col Timothy Pochop, director, NREA. “We did it to kick off Earth Day month, promote stewardship of the environment and enjoy the mountain trails.”

Ride participants included Combat Center patrons as well residents from surrounding communities.

“It is interesting to be able to ride the new trails here on base,” said Jima Reed, owner, Joshua Tree Bicycle Shop. “Also, I love the camaraderie that the base and the local community get from rides like this.”

Earth Day, held on April 22 each year, was established in 1970 to focus on the environment. The ride is the first of many Earth Day events scheduled by NREA throughout April. For more information on upcoming events, call NREA at (760) 830-8238.