Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — The Single Marine Program has been on a roll within the last few months, taking on numerous projects to enhance the overall experience for Marines. Since late summer the program has renovated their exterior deck, spearheaded efforts to bring a paintball facility aboard the base, all while maintaining an event-packed schedule. Now the program is adding another upgrade to the list: mountain bikes.

Micheal Moore, SMP coordinator, recently purchased six mountain bikes in hopes of bolstering Marines interest in riding along Quantico’s many trails.

“We want to provide the ability for Marines to get out on the trails,” Moore said. “Biking is one of the most difficult sports to get into because you have to purchase a somewhat expensive item, so it makes it difficult to start. Marines use our bikes initially and, if they decide it’s something they want to pursue, they can invest a higher-level bike.”

Each bike loaner comes with a helmet and repair kit. Marines can check out bike gear for a day, returning it by 10 p.m. that evening. In addition to loaning the bikes out to individuals, Moore said he also plans to coordinate group rides with the Quantico Mountain Bike Club. The recreational riding club, made up of military members and civilians, meets at 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Child Development Center North.

Moore said the acquisition of bikes fulfill two purposes. It gives Marines another off-duty recreational outlet and it provides commuter transportation throughout the base.

“A lot of Marines have been asking for commuter bikes on base and, although the base commander is working on that, Marines, in the meantime, can borrow a bike to ride to the Exchange or travel throughout the base. It’s a win-win situation for us.”

The bikes arrived this week and will be available for check out the following week.  Maps of the main-side trail network are available at trailhead kiosks, and a digital version can be found at www.quantico.usmc-mccs.org/index.cfm/recreation/trail-guide/.