Dyess Airman cycles across Iowa on two wheels

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In a state where more than 4,000 cattle have died from the heat and temperatures reaching 110 degrees, one Dyess Airmen cycled across Iowa July 24-30.

Maj. Graham Little, 7th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander, spent seven days participating in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which is the oldest and largest recognized non-competitive bicycle ride in the nation.

This year marked the 39th year of the event. Official entry is limited to 10,000 people; however, another 10,000 people (called Bandits) usually take part unofficially.

Little participated in the 472-mile bicycle ride with 126 other cyclists from the Air Force team made-up of active-duty, Reservists, Guardsmen and retirees.

Going into the event, my goals were to complete the course and help other riders who were in distress, Little said.

The mission of the team was to represent the Air Force, assist other participants as needed and demonstrate to the American public what the Air Force can do.

The team had two doctors who were kept busy helping cyclists with heat exhaustion and coming to people's aid until ambulances arrived, he added.

"It wasn't a race," Little said. "So when we saw someone in need, we would spend 30 minutes to an hour helping them or waiting for an ambulance to come pick them up. Throughout the week, we fixed flat tires and chains, and helped someone who had a suspected hip fracture."

The heat wave that covered more than 15 states didn't slow this Airman down.

"The sun didn't affect me like it did the other riders," Little said. "You could see the sun taking a toll on the riders, but being from Abilene, I was use to it."

During the week-long ride, one specific day gave little the highlight of his cycling career.

"On day 3 of the RAGBRAI, I cycled more than 100 miles in a day," he said. "That's more than I have ever ridden before in a single day."

The course started in Glenwood, Iowa, and ended in Davenport, Iowa.

To help him prepare for the event Little spent three to four days each week riding between 25 and 50 miles-a-day.

He is now preparing to compete in "Conquer the Coast", in Corpus Christi, Texas.