Riding The Loop
Posted by Erik Rupard on August 7th, 2008
On many occasions throughout these six months, I have talked about my bicycle rides around post. I have two basic routes I like to ride. One is about eight miles, and requires some off-roading and a few hills, but has some spectacular views. The other is referred to (by me, anyway) as “the big loop” and takes the rider fourteen miles completely around the airport. That one is my favorite. I rode it a couple of days ago, and CPT Baker took his camera so that we could get some pictures.
First, the biker gang:
Left to right, you see me, CPT Daphne Sims (the other doctor in our clinic), and 1LT Samuel Coleman, our clinic administrator. I kept the wide angle here, so that you can get a sense of the terrain. The crayola boxes in Iraq have exactly three colors: dirt-brown, asphalt-grey, and sky-blue.
An even wider angle. That speck in the middle is me and my red bike. I am coming around the back of one of the strange “pyramid” structures which are some sort of bunker. These are peppered throughout the base, and form a sort of connect-the-dots around the outer loop. I have climbed on these, ridden around them, sat on them, and have yet to find a door or other entrance.
About four miles into the loop is a graveyard for Iraqi planes. I am not allowed to take pictures of much of this, and can’t climb in or on them, as there are some reports of UXO (UneXploded Ordnance) in some of them, so sorry, dad, no cockpit pictures. That bike next to the sign is the one I’ve been riding for the past few months, courtesy of SGT Hert. The yellow bands around the bike and my waist are reflective and mandatory. Dig those cool wraparound shades.
We see a lot of these mini dust-storms as we ride, and occasionally ride right through them. Once, riding with CPT Hall on our way home from dinner, a big orange one threatened to hit us, so we raced the sucker down the road, only to get caught just as we turned into our cans. These eruptions and the more organized dust devils which we encounter are usually random acts of nature, but sometimes are man-made (i.e., a Humvee racing across the flatlands). That barbed-wire fence is one of many which separates us from the bad guys.
On this very hot day (115 F), we took a break in the little shade we could find, on the side of one of the pyramid-shaped bunkers. On the left, sucking on his CamelBak Hydration System (c) is SGT Villarreal. I’m next, then CPT Sims, and finally 1LT Coleman. CPT Baker is holding the camera.
Sitting on top of the pyramid are the three amigos: myself with CPT Baker, and 1LT Coleman, the two guys who, more than anyone else, kept me sane during this deployment. CPT Joshua Baker is our Optometrist, and my next-door neighbor back in Can City. The pose here is kind of dorky, and the careful observer will note that we were all trying not to touch too much bare flesh to the very hot clay surface of the bunker.
And off we go, into the wild brown yonder. Note the thin green backpack-like thingies. Those are the CamelBaks—pouches with a plastic, removable bladder which can carry three liters of water. Crucial on a hot day, especially in combat, where soldiers will be wearing 50 pounds of protective gear in the 100-plus degree heat. I will get to keep one of these after my deployment (sweet!) and would have bought one if that weren’t the case.
These rides will take us between 45 minutes and 1 hour fifteen minutes depending upon our pace. Of the “killer Bs” that I will remember from Iraq (bikes, breakfasts, barbecues), I think the bike rides will be my fondest and most enduring memory.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
This is some flat country! When I Google it, I see lots of green in other areas. Likely not any reason to grow things on a Marine air base but, I was wondering if there are truck farms around. It seems that it would be a great place to grow veggies. You have a great crew to bike with. Thanks for sharing this bit of information. I understand about the pics on the UXO, but thanks for trying. Erik, will you please find out what these pyramids are for! Curiosity is boundless (and, also killed the cat). See you soon!
August 7th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Dad, and Erik,
If only curiosity really did kill the cat, our basement wouldn’t smell like pee. I think the bunkers are for soldiers if the base is attacked. Maybe they can put people and heavy equipment down there to keep it from getting destroyed in the battles. Or, maybe they keep prisoners down there and torture them by drilling into their teeth to get them to give up critical info, like the “marathon man”. what do you think, Dad? In a bunker like that, no one would hear you scream!
Erik, check out waggonerds.blogspot.com to see my friend’s new baby. She is adorable, and so is Wendy. Also check out northwoodscamprentals.com, click on waterfront properties, then on property 131, and you will see where our vacation was this year. It was our second,and probably last vacation, but it was wonderful. When you get here, I will send lots of pix of our vacation. We saw 6 moose, as I’m sure you have heard numerous times. I hope you get those boxes soon. It has been over a week since I sent them. I will die if they don’t get there. The girls will never forgive me.
I give you credit for biking in weather like that. I guarantee you , the word hot will take on a new meaning for you and you will laugh when people complain about the weather once you get home. I know I can stand on my feet for hours, ever since my twin pregnancy, and never feel a twinge, while everyone else is groaning about their tired and achy feet. Extreme conditions change you in some way on a permanent basis, and you never suffer from the same problems you once did. However, this experience will probably give you ten bad things for every good thing, so it’s not the best trade-off.
Loved the pictures and loved seeing all of you connected in one piece (o.k., I can’t see into your mind, but I’ll assume you are still in one piece there.)
Becky and Wade are off to the Big Apple or 3 days for a little romantic getaway. Lucky them. I would go to the dentist for 3 days if I could leave my children safely with the grandparents, either set. I know you miss your lovely girls, so excuse my insensitivity. I know you would give anything to be with them for three days. Kids are really a blessing and make a family a family. I love mine, and feel they are growing into interesting young adults. a lot of growing still to do, mentally speaking.
I love you,
Mit
August 7th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Excuse me …. We would gladly keep any of our grandchildren for 3 days….your house or ours. Love, Mom
August 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Awesome pics! Very cool.
I have a hilarious memory that will make you crack up. I thought of it when I saw that picture of you on your bike.
Remember those days we used to ride EVERYWHERE? Out to Utah Lake, to Albertsons, to campus..etc, etc…..?
I was thinking of that night that we hopped the barricade and rode our bikes around Seven Peaks water park at midnight when it was half built.
Anyway,I have no idea how we even got our bikes over that fence. How was that possible?
I rather liked those evenings when we were really broke and hungry and we’d ride from 7-11 to 7-11 in quest of chili-cheese hot-dogs.
What’s the first thing you want to eat when you touch down?
August 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
We know that Mom R.
You are awesome.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Yo. daddio. love the pics. these were crazy to look at, expecially the uxo. im afraid we’re going to have some hills in georgia when we go cycling, but im still really excited when you get back to do it!
August 7th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
This is one of your best post ever. I been reading your blog ever since your deployment. My marine is stationed in TQ. Its nice to know what’s going on in the sandbox. It helps me stay sane =) I bet you are excited to be back in the States 16 days.. will go by so fast for you. Good Luck and I hope you have a safe return home.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Melody: I’m glad you’ve liked the blog. I spent a (very) brief time in TQ on my way to Al Asad, and a few people who go to church with me recently came from there. They say that it is quiet, which is good for your marine. Good luck to you (and him)!
Mit: I have it on good authority that there are four packages waiting for me when I get to clinic today. I expect you’ll be hearing about it tonight. Watch this space.
Lorri: It was indeed fun being poor with you, and those are some great memories. (I’d love to ride around Utah Lake today.) It would be nice to experience the flip side of that coin with you as well…
August 8th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Lorri: I would like to eat some fresh seafood (shrimp, crab, fish, you name it). But I could murder a good pizza, too.
-E
August 8th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Actually, now that I think of it: the pizza. (Maybe a lobster pizza?)
August 8th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Lobster Pizza……
crap!
I was hoping you would say something uncomplicated/drive-thru-ish like, “A whopper.” but okay; anything for you babe.
I’m not sure that Columbus GA is a lobster pizza kind of town. (That was my first impression anyway.)
So what’s your second choice?