Cyclists pedaled their way over hills and past various camps as they traveled from the northernmost point of base, to Stuart Mesa, and back again during the inaugural Tourjours Fidele-Tour de Camp Pendleton Nov. 2.

The participants were given the option of traveling 100, 75, 50 or 25-mile courses. A 5.5-mile Family Fun Ride was also available, taking families from San Mateo to Camp Talega and back.

“The course takes riders all throughout base,” said Jimi Shive, the assistant coordinator for the Hard Corps Race series.

The course took the participants down Basilone, right onto Vandergrift, North on Stuart Mesa and back inland through Las Pulgas where they continue laps for more distance. The riders finished the course by traveling back up Basilone Road.

“We’re trying new things; trying to go where the people are going as far as the racing world,” said Shive. “A lot of cyclists like rides so they can relax and not have to freak out about the competition.”

The only timed portion of the event was the incline up a hill known as “Mateo Mountain.”

“If they want to be competitive, the riders can sign up for our Mateo Mountain Challenge,” explained Shive. “It is on the same course they would typically do, but we time them going up the mountain.”
 
The winner of the men’s active-duty division is Chief Warrant Officer Neil Bray, a tactical communication planning and engineering officer with G-6, 1st Marine Division.

Bray, a Fontana, Calif. native, has placed first or second in each of the Hard Corps Race Series’ events this year.

“I love the competition,” said Bray. “Plus it’s free for active-duty military on base.”

Each rider received a dog-tag necklace when crossing the finish line.

All proceeds go to the Marine Corps Community Service’s programs on base.

For more information on the the Hard Corps Race Series and upcoming races, please visit hardcorpsraceseries.com.

Contact Cpl. Sarah Wolff-Diaz at sarah.wolff@usmc.mil.