Heat in September doesn’t slow down Blue Streak riders

Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, who rode Blue Streak Time Trial for the first time, starts out on the 10-mile course around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Area A flight line Sept. 10 with the evening’s temperatures near 90 degrees. (Contributed photo/Chuck Smith)

Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, who rode Blue Streak Time Trial for the first time, starts out on the 10-mile course around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Area A flight line Sept. 10 with the evening’s temperatures near 90 degrees. (Contributed photo/Chuck Smith)

With temperatures hovering around 90 degrees, 71 bicyclists circled Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Area A flight line during the Sept. 10 Blue Streak Time Trial.

The bicyclists did not let the weather slow their pedaling.

Gary Painter of Fort Wayne, Indiana, had just returned from finishing second in his age group in the World Time Trial Championships in Poland. Painter finished the 10-mile course in 21:35.6 for a fast 27.8 mph average and third place.

Sean Martin finished second, just 4/10 of a second faster than Painter.

Josh Bozue of Fairborn scorched the field, taking first place with a blazing 28.9 mph average. The win was Bozue’s 13th consecutive Blue Streak victory, including all Blue Streaks in 2018 and 2019.

Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, who rode Blue Streak for the first time, stated, “I thought the heat was fine and the shade on the back end of the course actually made the ride very pleasant. I truly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to ‘push myself’ a little bit.”

The final 2019 Blue Streak Time Trial will take place Oct. 8. Participating riders will gather in the Area A Tennis Club parking lot with their bicycles and helmets between 5 and 5:30 p.m.

Riders are asked to register and obtain numbers at the table set up in the parking lot by 5:30 p.m. Helmets are required. Bicyclists will be released at 30-second intervals to ride the 10-mile course starting at 6 p.m.

Blue Streak riders are asked to use the rest rooms and showers available in Dodge Fitness Center, across the bridge and up the hill from the Blue Streak starting line. Dodge also has bicycles and helmets to loan.

The fitness center is open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Those without base access must pre-register at least 10 days before each Blue Streak Time Trial by going to the Speedy Feet website at http://www.speedy-feet.com/race-entry.php?id=1472.

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