Marine Corps Birthday Cycling Team (AW)

Endurance Sports Travel is proud to Support one of our loyal clients. Please see below for more information from John Bandy on his Marine Corps Birthday Cycling Team.

The Marine Corps Sports sponsors 23 various programs. The application process selects athletes to compete at the elite or Olympic level of competition, which most cyclists do not fall into either of the two categories. The entry level or seasoned cyclists aboard Marine Corps Bases around the world ride with friends, family, or join local cycling teams. I have a vision for each base to establish a 'Marine Corps Birthday Cycling Team' and then identify each team by a chapter name e.g. MCBs Hawaii Chapter, Camp Pendleton Chapter, etc. Instead of participating in the traditional Marine Corps Birthday run relays, I wanted to challenge myself by riding through the Marine Corps distinguished lineage one year (mile) at a time.

In 2006 I departed North Foster Towers just after midnight and rode 236 miles counter-clockwise around Okinawa to celebrate the 231st Marine Corps Birthday. Due to training challenges and commitments I was not able to continue on with the tradition until now.

On 9 June 2010 I sent out a challenge to Marine Corps Bases Hawaii and invited cyclists of all levels to join me on 10 November 2010 for a 235 mile bike ride for every year the Corps has defended America. The call was answered and I have 14 team members ranging from entry level to seasoned cyclists. Our first group ride was a 65 mile adventure from MCB Kaneohe Bay to Queens Beach, Waikiki and back on 27 June 2010. All went well except for a flat tire. The plan is to increase the mileage for each group ride by six percent in order to max out at 175 miles on 23 October 2010.

In true Marine Corps tradition, if it is not raining, we are not training. The 'AW' in the title stands for 'All Weather'. We are not a fair weather cycling team. We have encountered strong winds and heavy rain in two of the four group rides so far. Pending a hurricane, tsunami, or lava flowing across our route, we'll be formed up at 0030 on 10 November 2010 ready to pedal off into the deadness of night.

CWO5 John R. Bandy, USMC
2167 Bancroft Drive
Kailua, HI 96734
(808) 589-6695
Bandy1987@hotmail.com[read more]

Optional Transfer FOR IM Canada 2010

Interested in competing in Ironman Canada 2010 on August 29th?  Endurance Sports Travel still has race entry slots and ground packages for anyone interested, and we have added an optional transfer from Vancouver Airport to Penticton to help with your travel to this race.  There will be only two transfers arranged, so if you are interested please make your travel arrangements accordingly:

Transfer 1 - August 25th 2010 Departing Vancouver Airport around 2:00 p.m. and arriving to Penticton around 6:30pm.

Transfer 2 - August 26th 2010 Departing Vancouver Airport around 2:00 p.m. and arriving to Penticton around 6:30 p.m.

Return Transfers will depart Penticton and return to Vancouver Airport on August 31st.[read more]

Ironman China 2010 Highlights & Recap

Ironman China 2010 was an intimate race that allowed athletes to get acquainted with competitors from all over the world. Bonds formed early in the week during group shopping trips to the multi-level grocery store, where we teamed up to help one another 'read' Chinese food labels and take turns using the shopping carts that slid sideways and magnetically locked into place on the escalators.

It was quite the adventure!

Later, EST clients took a bike course tour, stopping along the way for photo ops with water buffalo, and to stroll through a village while snacking on local flavors. Children even came out of their school to smile for photos and see the large group of non-natives walking down the streets!

One afternoon we were dropped off in the city and took a guided tour of the area. Starting in People's Park, we noticed much activity - locals were engaged in games of ping-pong, badminton, croquet and were practicing tai chi. We then hit the streets and saw 'old China'; window shopping the many stores that lined the streets. When it was time to head back we partnered up, jumped on the back seat of rickshaw bicycles and raced each other back. Looking around, everyone wore smiles from ear to ear.

After relaxing came the time to race. Ironman China was a challenging event due to currents in the water, a warm temperature, and wind on the bike and run. It was a tough day for most but waves and cheers encouraged many EST athletes to cross the finish line. It's amazing how friendships formed in just a few days can shine through just when you need it!

Congratulations to all for making it to the start line and a special 'well done' to the following EST athletes and staff!

70.3 Podium placements: Ken Glah 1st,  Stacy Hadac 3rd , Tiffany Morey 3rd , Gayle Tsien 1st.

Foster Grant World Championship: Stacy Hadac, Simon Moore, Gayle Tsien.

Ironman Podium placements: Mary Goodacre 1st, Carol Hassell 1st, Bernard Girold 1st, Brigette Bollschweiler 3rd, Chantal Leferve 2nd.

Ford Ironman World Championship: Paul Duffy, Mary Goodacre, Carol Hassell, Bernard Girold.

The six night, three city after-race Tour of China was enjoyed by a lucky group of EST clients, and from the emails we've received, fun was had by all. Highlights of the tour included the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi'an, the Jade Buddhism Temple in Shanghai and Tiananmen Square in Beijing and the Great Wall of China.

We would like to thank everyone that allowed us to help them with their 2010 trip to Ironman China and look forward to helping many others to this event in 2011.[read more]