Photo By Ronald Wolf | Cyclists are ready to ride on the first day of the U.S. Army Trials being conducted...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - Fort Bliss is hosting the Army Trials for the Department of Defense Warrior Games from March 29 to April 2.
About 100 active duty and retired Soldiers have already arrived to train to go head-to-head in cycling, swimming, archery, shooting, track and field, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.
The Army Trials are a critical component of the Army Warrior Care and Transition Program, focusing on the successful recovery of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers transitioning back to the force or as veterans. Army Trials are conducted by the Warrior Transition Command.
Cycling competitors arrived ready to go -- straining in the starting gate. Within the first hour, coaches had the cyclist off on a shakedown ride, checking equipping and getting a feel for the terrain on the post.
Fort Bliss, it turns out, is a haven for cyclists. Although it is about 4,000 feet of elevation, the cycle course terrain is flat and open. Hills are tame, when they exist at all, and speed is begging to be pushed to its limits. All the athletes, cyclists included, are making adjustments to the higher and dryer climate which most of them are not used to. Coaches and conditioning specialists are stressing the need to stay hydrated.
Despite the eagerness of the cyclists to get going, coaches and technical specialists soon had them back in the fitness center to help fine tune their bikes. Bikes, upright and recumbent, needed adjustments. Tires were trued and spokes tightened. Specialty equipment helped to determine the optimal height for seats to ensure riders have maximal power in driving to the finish. In a few cases, broken parts were replaced or needed to be ordered. At least one bike was initially reported as still waiting at the airport and needed to be picked up.
All of these are minor bumps in the road for these competitors. They are here to show they are resilient and ready to compete.
The cycle team will wait for several weeks following the completion of the trials to learn who will represent Team Army, as will all the competitors for all sports. Coaches and leaders will assess results and build the most effective team for the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games slated for June at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2015 20:51 |
| Story ID: | 157848 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 317 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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