I get to the trailhead and go through the usual dismounting routine. I go through the mental check
list as we did in the Army; Rifle, gas mask, ammo, boots, extra socks, gloves, Jacket, food. This is
just the basic check list to be sure I have the critical items before riding; helmet, camelbak/tools
w/fresh water, gloves, bandanna. Water is not mandantory since I can get it from the near by boat
dock spicket or from the lake (but have to drop iodine tablets in water). I start out climbing,
and start thinking about the war at hand. My mind drifts off to one of the many military exercises
that I took part in. As I climb I recall my first month in Germany. I was in 1/36 Inf. 3AD
('81-83). We were in simulated battle taking a hill, running up it in soft terrain. I was carrying
a M60 (7.62) machine gun. It was heavy hauling it up that hill. I was not real strong in the upper
body and depended on my legs to do most of the work. I can hear the Company Commander saying,
"take that hill Bean take that hill". It was do or die. The CO was watching. I was exhausted by
the time we took that hill. I was covered with mud from falling while running up that hill.
I crest the hill on my Mtb. and reap the payoff. I can see the lake and terrain below. I try to spot
other Mtbers while on top of the hill. My thoughts shift to war once again. We are in a small German
town. I can see the enemy in the woodline from my position behind a Farmers barn. There is no Farmer
around since this is a vacant city used for Combat training in the city. Smoke erupts from barrals
in the woodline then the sound of small arms fire quickly follows. I dawn my M60 and lock and load.
I let lose with a spray of 7.62 (blanks) across the woodline. I hear an array of MILES beeping
meaning they were hit by my Miles lazer. I hear a couple of our guys take hits and hollaring turn
this damn thing off as the peircing tone generates from the miles gear. The fog of battle has begun.
Smoke cannisters burst before the enemy as they advance on our position. I look up and see another
machine gunner shooting out the second story window as the enemy advances. As soon as I get behind
the barn and look up at him he sprays me with machine gun fire. My equipment blares with that
irritating noise indicating that I've been hit. I yell at him with disgust, "I'm friendly, you
fool!" He hollars, "whoops!" and continues firing on the enemy.
I drop into a nice section of single track into a cool 85F breeze. I begin a narley climb this time
feeling the burn. No pain, no gain I think as my mind changes focus on our troops at war. The mental
flash of an Iraqi firing a 9mm point blank at one of our shoulders heads sends chills down my spine.
The anger wells up as I climb. The pain I'm experiencing is nothing compared to the fatigue and
soreness soldiers are feeling in combat. I wish I could dawn my jump boots once again and go help
our troops. The reason for war doesn't matter any more. Our troops are committed and have a job to
wa. They have to fight.
I'm back onto smooth single track once again. I pause to look for other riders. Its peaceful out. I
can hear only the sound of wind passing over me and around my helmet. I'm flowing on the trail as if
by memory because my thoughts fade once again to my past. Honduras, '84. I'm in the 2/7 Cav.
1CD (227AV Task Force) getting dropped in at night. The C-130 lands and we dismount surrounding the
aircraft facing out to protect our position. This time its not trainning. The ammo is real
and so are the weapons. I'm thinking our company is Mechinized Infantry but here we are on
a light Infantry Mountainous/Jungle region. Most of us veteran soilders are trained for
light manuvers. We are on a hill out of the thick jungle below. The heat/humidity is bad. I
think they chose our Batalian because we were from Texas and acclimated to the heat. With
sweat rolling and completly soaking my shirt we dig in making bunkers completely around the
hill. There must have been around 25-30 bunkers every 50' or so. We laid miles of
constatina wire around the perimeter of the camp. We are 20-30mi. from where the
Sandanistias are. Our mission is to coordinate with inserted Special Forces personnel and
defend the region. This SF guy introduces us to a young hondurian. He must have been only
14yrs old. He said he will be your guide. He took us down to a village to scout it out. The
rain began.
I'm climbing again on the Mtb. After a few minutes I'm starting to breath hard. The terrain is
getting rougher as ruts and roots appear. I attack the climb dancing over the rutts and roots. I can
see the crest, it is near. I crest the hill and begin a stroll through the saddle of the mountain.
Its all memorized. I take on a pretty steep descent as my mind drifts off to Honduras once again.
It's raining, pouring cats and dogs. Choppers inserted us into a jungle region somewhere near a
small town in honduras. We are spread all over a hill crouched down waiting on a "go" from Special
Forces dudes down in the town. I hear this noise right next to my ear. I look over and its some sort
of giant black ants crawling up this tree. They were huge! I could actually hear them crawling. I
moved back a couple of feet away from the tree. My platoon Sargent calls me over. "Bean, I've been
meaning to tell you if something happens to me I think you're the only one I can count on to get
these troops out of here and joined up with the company. You can read a map and know how to fight."
I nodded knowing that I could if need be but hoped it wouldn't come down to it.
An hour has passed as I look at my watch but it only seemed like 10 minutes. I take a break at the
lost and found pulling some grass out of the drivetrain of the bike. My thoughts switch to the men
and women in battle once again. This very trail had Mountain bike soilders on it every weekend from
227 Av, 4th ID, 1 Cav. They are no longer here. I hope for their return once again. Their sacrifice
and courage is to be commended. I wish I could be there but since I can't they have my full support
and encouragement.
Cleanbean still doing it in Texas US Army 1980-86