Sheppard pit stop highlight of HHH marathon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The participants in the 2007 Hotter'N Hell Hundred Aug. 25 had two options once they breached Sheppard's Missile Road gate.

One option was to continue down G Ave., past aircraft lined along the road that earned the street the nickname "Air Power Avenue," out through the main gate and on down Highway 240 to continue their marathon.

Those who took the detour on 6th Ave., however, found quite a spectacle waiting, one created just for them: canopies with dozens of Airmen in Training standing underneath, ready to offer refreshments, bike repairs and bandages; swing music and dancers giving homage to days of old, a reminder of the approaching Air Force 60th birthday; a static display of an F-16 offering a chance at closer inspection than the Air Power Avenue lineup provided.

Inside the Pitsenbarger Fitness Center, tributes to Sheppard's history and future stood cater-corner as the Heritage Center's museum exhibit and the 982nd Maintenance Squadron's computerized lesson plan simulations gave the bikers welcome visual stimulation from their barren route. A triage was even set up inside for the more serious injuries. And as they left the gymnasium, a wave of morale-boosting noise awaited them as hundreds of AiTs lined the street to clap and cheer them on their way.

Those involved in transforming Sheppard into a pit stop and visual attraction for the HHH bikers may have outdone themselves, at least according to the bikers themselves. Whether new to Sheppard and HHH, or nearing their 20th year of pedaling across the base, the cyclists seemed to share a common impression: awe at the transformation Sheppard underwent on their behalf.

Russell Bauer, a first-timer to both Sheppard and the HHH, easily called Sheppard's detour "the best rest stop yet," even before he'd went inside the gym. Ronald Jones, another first-timer, said "this is by far the coolest stop on the route."

Dr. Dale Clark, completing his 18th year in HHH, can still remember the days when the route took the bikers through Wherry Housing.

"Coming here is always the highlight of the race," he said.

Kim Monson, a frequent biker, especially liked the poster board signs that lined Sheppard's route, boasting information about Sheppard's mission and accomplishments.

"The signs were very informative. I kind of giggled at them because it's a clever idea; there are 10,000 riders out here, it's a good way to get the message out," she said.

Not everyone participating in the marathon was on a traditional two-wheeler, or even on a bicycle. Donna Barr, Shelley Kautz and Carl Hedin were part of a small group of inline skaters. As they moved a bit slower than the cyclists, they had more time to read the poster board signs.

"53,000 Airmen around the world," Ms. Kautz said, quoting one sign verbatim and generating laughter from her skate-clad friends as they also remembered the sign.

"We read every one of them," Ms. Barr said. "We kind of got caught up in them."

The signs, however, wasn't the highlight for them.

"The cheering Airmen is the best part. I can't wait to go through that," said Mr. Hedin, referring to the AiTs whooping it up for each biker that passed. "This is just great hospitality."

Even the man who brainstormed the entire concept, 82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, was awed by the final product.

"There's nothing on the route that approaches this," said General Devereaux, who had also just dismounted his bicycle to take in the spectacle. "It's really exceeded my expectations."

The general explained that the rest stop idea served as a chance to "showcase the base's facilities, aircraft and most importantly, its Airmen," and went on to thank "all the folks and organizations who pulled this together.

"They did an awesome job," he said.

For updates on next year's HHH activities, log on to http://www.hh100.org/.