European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Belgian and italian riders vie for position at the Start of the Cycle across. Conquering the Cycle across just one of the challenges facing american cyclists by Lynda Davidson Kaiserslautern Bureau american cyclist Shawn Asey look a it it no drink of water As he tried in recover irom the grueling 50 minute Cycle across race lie had just finished. Similar to motor toss Cycle across requires the riders to race through wooded areas along rough paths and Oxer obstacles such As fallen logs. Riders then must run up a Steep incline with their hikes on their shoulders remount the Bike at the top of the Hill and begin another Lap until the final Lap Bell rings. Quot that Hill was the hardest part Quot said an exhausted Casey a specialist from Rhine ordnance e Barracks near Kaiserslautern. The Cycle across was one of three Eye Ling events at the Conseil International do sport Militare cism european regional cycling championships held at Sembach a Germany earlier this month. Other events were a 57-Kilometer, four Man team trial and a 157-Kilometer Road Rac e. Other countries participating in the regional championships were Belgium Italy Austria and the Netherlands. Overall the american team lagged behind their european counterparts in All three events. The italian team finished first in the Cycle across followed by the Netherlands and then Belgium. All participants completed approximately 14 laps during the 50-minute event. Casey and airman 1st class Eric Miller from Sembach finished 12th and 13th, respectively. In the Road race Belgium won the Gold followed by Italy and then the Netherlands. The top american set. Ned Mcdevitt from Nellis fab nev., crossed the finish line 1 minute and 4 2 seconds behind the Leader placing 18th out of 20 finishers. In the time trials Italy Belgium and the Netherlands finished one two and three. Master sgt. John Egbers from Davis Monthan fab in Arizona the american team coach and Captain said the americans had Only been training since sept. 14. Quot we Are an underdog. We were a minute and thirty seconds behind the dutch team in the time trial event i. Which is encouraging Quot he said. Egbers said that the european teams train year round and that their individual riders train for specific events. Quot they have members that Only compete in the Cycle across others that Only compete in the Road race. We re doing it All Quot he said. He said the Cycle across event was new to Mem an and team members entered the event Quot just to bed it  four of the nine member . Team volunteered to 12 stripes Magazine october 24, 1991 at left Shawn Casey carries his Bike up a Hill then speeds Over a Flat stretch toward the end of a Lap. He cools off at right after finishing the race. Set is photos by Lynda Davidson Eric Miller is a blur of action As he prepares to remount his Bike on the Cycle across course. The americans chose to use Mountain bikes instead of Road bikes in the race. Participate in the event. This year s team was the smallest he americans have fielded in recent years. Quot normally we have 12 on a team Quot said Egbers. Each year cyclists have to be recruited and this year Egbers said he Felt that the word did t get out from the recreation centers in time to let cyclists know about the event. An armed forces cycling association is being formed in Virginia he said for military cyclists so they can be informed of these kinds of events. Col. John Hawley from Allied air forces Central Europe Headquarters at Ramstein a Germany is the cism commissioner for bicycling. His plans for the event Are to Contact commanders throughout Safe and Usa eur to Quot gel involved with interim competitions beginning next april Quot and to try to encourage other bases to Host these  the interim events will help train cyclists for next year s cism world cycling championships which will be held in september in Porden oni Italy near Aviano a he said. Anyone interested in competing or hosting cycling events should Contact him at his office Hawley said. Cyclists interested in joining the armed forties cycling association May write to . Box 6137, Arlington a. 22206. Annual membership dues of $1 5 Are charged Egbers said. Cism events Are the military equivalent to the olympics. Championships Are held every year in up to 22 different sports and each sport is hosted by a different nation according to a Sembach a Public affairs spokesman. Participation takes place under three categories worldwide championships regional championships and tournaments. October 24, 1991 stripes Magazine 13