OIF and Exercise Bicycles

pooga13 said:

I was recently called to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom while aggressively training for The Mount Washington Hill Climb, along with the other NE USA mountain climbs.

I have now been informed that there will be a training facility with the typical exercise bikes. My question is what type of training should I be doing and for what duration if all I want is to keep in shape?

I know this leaves too much room for questions, e.g. what brand of bike?, how many hours, etc. Nonetheless, I just want to know if anyone out there has been in a similar situation and what they have done to make the best of a bad situation.

Thanks,

Rich 😎

I spent most of my 13 months in OIF swallowing sand, drinking more water than I thought was humanly possible, dodging mortars while in camp, and dodging tracers while out doing my job. Don't think I saw a single bicycle the whole time (US or local). More power to you if you can hold together a training plan, although I think the bases are MUCH more mature than when I was there (jan03-mar04). Do you know where in theater you are headed (that could affect things a lot too)? If there are decent fitness facilities, I'm guessing they're crazy crowded.

Thanks, Roadhog. Unfortunately, I currently am not allowed to disclose where I will be stationed...Let's just say that it is my personal firm belief that Iraq will be the next hardship tour next to Korea. And they have started to make the accomodations to reflect that.

As for bikes in Iraq I happened to come across this article:

from the December 30, 2004 edition

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BAGHDAD JAUNT: The Iraqi Junior Cycling Team, which threads its way through war-torn streets and heavy traffic, needs equipment. Looters took spare parts and 40 Italian racing bikes that Saddam Hussein had given the team.
MAX WHITTAKER
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On troubled road, Iraqi cyclists get a little help

An American spearheads effort to help Iraq's junior team recover from thefts of bikes and equipment.

By Karen Kefauver

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. – Potholes and heavy traffic can make cycling in the United States seem like a war zone at times. But it sure beats biking in Baghdad, says Matthew Werner of Santa Cruz, Calif. Last summer, Mr. Werner saw images in a popular biking magazine that astonished him. A pictorial essay depicted young men riding through the war-torn streets of the Iraqi capital. Amid a backdrop of barbed wire fences, a chaotic snarl of vehicles, and groups of US soldiers, the 10 members of the Iraqi Junior Cycling Team pursued their passion for road cycling.

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"They are riding the city streets of a war zone because they are so dedicated to this sport," says Werner. "They were using ancient equipment - really old and decrepit bikes and clothing."

Werner, who bikes for fun and fitness, decided to help. He got in touch with the writer of the story, Max Whittaker, and eventually e-mailed the team. "I have been communicating with the coach, whose English is fairly limited," says Werner. "I have had a lot of help from a translator, a woman located in Jordan."

One e-mail reply contained a team photo and a statement from each rider.

"I chose this particular kind of sport after my father gave me a bicycle as a gift," wrote team member Ahmed Raed. "Then I participated with it in school races and I loved this sport more and more.... I am the youth champion in Iraq in 2000 and 2001. My dream is that I will be a special rider that everybody respects."

"My uncle was a world champion in boxing who encouraged me to be like him, but I don't like violence," wrote 18-year-old cyclist Moataz Sabah. "I hope to be a real good [cyclist] that achieves things at the international level."

In addition to the testimonies, the team sent an equipment wish list. Under the former Iraqi government, the group had not been allowed to race outside the country for fear they would seek asylum and never return, according to Mr. Whittaker, who spent three months in Baghdad.

"A year before the current war in Iraq, President Saddam Hussein had purchased 40 Bianchi racing bikes for the national team, but out of paranoia, the team was not allowed to use the bikes," Whittaker says. "Later, they were stolen when looters swept the city."

"They also need real cycling shoes, instead of sneakers, and helmets," adds Werner. "Our goal is to send 10 new bicycles, maybe print up some jerseys, and include the shoes and helmets."

Werner also serves on the board for Cyclists for Cultural Exchange, a nonprofit group founded in 1988 that promotes diplomacy among international bicyclists through exchange programs and cycling events (www.strawberryfields.org). The group is now searching for a bike company that will either donate bikes or sell them at cost. They also are seeking cash donations.

"The ideal scenario is that we can send 10 bikes and gear and get it to them," Werner says. "Then, after a year or two, we will be able to invite those riders to come visit us. We will host them here and get them involved in local cycling events."

In addition to the junior team (an all-male group under age 23), Iraq also sports men's and women's cycling teams, which are also struggling to succeed despite the nation's current turmoil.

"Our next goal is to help the women's team," Werner says. "For now, with an eye to the future, we are helping build the young riders."

I really hope that I will be able to train, but who knows?

Rich

roadhog said:

I spent most of my 13 months in OIF swallowing sand, drinking more water than I thought was humanly possible, dodging mortars while in camp, and dodging tracers while out doing my job. Don't think I saw a single bicycle the whole time (US or local). More power to you if you can hold together a training plan, although I think the bases are MUCH more mature than when I was there (jan03-mar04). Do you know where in theater you are headed (that could affect things a lot too)? If there are decent fitness facilities, I'm guessing they're crazy crowded.

pooga13 said:

Thanks, Roadhog. Unfortunately, I currently am not allowed to disclose where I will be stationed...Let's just say that it is my personal firm belief that Iraq will be the next hardship tour next to Korea. And they have started to make the accomodations to reflect that.

As for bikes in Iraq I happened to come across this article:
Rich

Cool article. Thanks for posting it. I enjoyed the read. Understand the non-disclosure thing, and I agree on the hardship tour thing. It essentially already is, most folks (active at least) are alternating years there right now. Korea looks more attractive all the time 🙂 ! I would guess your best chances for training are on a stationary machine in some fitness center, or more ideally on an indoor trainer that you can bring with you. The trick of course, is figuring out how to get an indoor trainer and (preferably) a "second-string" bike over there with you. By the time I left, there were a couple fitness center type tents erected on my base, but the distance from my location to them plus the difficulty in scheduling time within their hours, plus the crowds were quite prohibitive. Hopefully you will find yourself in a better situation in that respect. That's why I think the indoor trianer setup would be best. Not sure what kind of mechanic you are, but maybe you could break down a second-hand bike and put it in boxes small enough to meet the requirement for mailing over there (can't remember what that is) and then have a friend mail it to you after you get settled in over there. That's all assuming that your unit does not have space in there containers to include your bike and indoor trainer.. In any event, I find it very hard to picture any sort of training whatsoever that includes actually riding on roads. You will probably get hit by a 5-ton on the first day trying to do that around a camp...not to mention the 130+ degree heat at times is certainly unmotivating (one of the reasons that article impressed me so).

Anyway, good luck to you. I hope it works out and your tour goes by as fast as possible. Stay as busy as you can.

Intervals. Do as many 20 minute intervals as you can. Fully recover before each subsequent interval. Each interval should be as hard as you can while maintaining the intensity throughout the entire interval duration.