Lieutenant represents U.S. Military in cycling

Published April 8, 2008
By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- One of Shaw's lieutenants was selected to represent the United States Armed Forces in cycling for this year.

Air Force Academy graduate, 2nd Lt. Zach Garrett, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, first heard the news about his acceptance in December. The selection process is highly competitive as he is only one of eight members on the team.

Four team members are Airmen, two are Coast Guardsmen and two are Marines, he said.

"I got a chance to meet with the team during a training camp at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in the last week of February," Lieutenant Garrett said. "The team gave introductions and after the training camp we traveled to Austin, Texas, to participate in a race for some team practice."

Immediately following the race, the Armed Forces Cycling Team got the opportunity to meet and ride with Lance Armstrong--the record setting, seven-time winner of the Tour de France, one of cycling's most prestigious events.

"It was great to meet with him," the lieutenant said. "We all remained humble as best as possible because we had to remain professional. We were there to learn. It was a way for cycling professionals to ride together and maybe pick up a few tips."

The Columbia, Mo. native and fitness enthusiast has been an avid cyclist for about 8 years. He started cycling to help remain in shape for swimming, but after a while, cycling became his new found competitive sport.

Lieutenant Garrett has performed in many races and is a multi-time Missouri state cycling champion.

"I ride as often as I can, usually cycling from the time I leave work until the sun goes down," he said. "On days when the weather is not cooperating, I will go to the fitness center and spin for a while."

The Armed Forces Cycling Team's first competition is the Air Force Cycling Classic, which begins May 4 in Washington D.C.

The team is also participating in the Elite Nationals Championship in Orange County, California, from Aug. 7 - 9.

The biggest race for the team is the Military World Championship, the lieutenant said. The race is in Slovenia from Oct. 9 - 11.

"Being on this team is a great opportunity, one of the many that the Air Force offers us outside of our standard job descriptions," Lieutenant Garret said. "I love cycling and it is a great honor to represent the Armed Forces and the Air Force. I will work and train hard to make sure I represent the military to the best of my ability."