Combat Center patrons get handle on bike month

Twentynine Palms -- The month of October is the Combat Center’s inaugural Get on Your Bike and Ride Month. Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs encourages base patrons to help reduce their environmental impact by leaving their keys on the counter and riding bicycles to places like work or the store, as well as riding for leisure.
“This challenge is an initiative to reduce our carbon footprint and improve the health and wellness of the Combat Center patrons in as many ways as we can,” said Norman Troy, emission’s manager, NREA. “From people that drive to the gym to Marines that drive just a few blocks to go to work, we want to make the Marines and sailors to spend less time in their cars and more on their bikes.”
The success of Park-to-Park Bike Ride in April of this year and the National Bike Challenge gave NREA the opportunity to start the month long challenge that will promote friendly competition on the Combat Center. Individuals and teams with the most miles will be recognized at the end of each week and at the end of the month. Teams of up to 10 riders can be created with a workspace group though the National Bike Challenge website.

“I think that there is a small yet competitive niche of riders here on the base,” said Eddie Valles, air resources manager, NREA. “We are trying to bring them together, recognize those who already ride quite a bit and to also grow the community.”

Participants can tracks their miles with smartphone applications or they can track them manually.

To participate in Get on Your Bike and Ride Month, visit the National Bike Challenge page with Combat Center as the work site.

Ten members is the maximum a team can have, though you can make more than one team. Both new and experienced riders are welcome to take on the challenge not only to increase their exercise habits, but to reduce the Combat Center’s carbon footprint.

“We are trying to make people more aware of the simple ways to stay healthy,” said Valles. “Were trying to get as many people on base to get on their bikes and ride to grow the awareness and participation.”

To register or for more information visit, www.nationalbikechallenge.org/workpace/10202 online and search Combat Center under workspace or call Valles at (760) 830-8480.