Drillium Dude 

Well, I've had numerous questions about DG - where it is, what's to do there, when do I leave...

I leave for DG around 12 February, 2013 after a quick week of Network Security refresher training in San Diego. My shipment is already on its way, which includes my Mondia and a load of cycling clothing in addition to some bike parts and, of course, my Dremel

Here's the atoll itself; the main part where everyone lives ("Downtown") is the peninsula on the right:



Here are some pics from my last visit in 2001.

Beach scene (inside the lagoon) south of Cannon Point:



Beach scene (on the ocean side) at Cannon Point:



Not exactly a million miles from nowhere - but close:



Beach with the Marina in the background:



The Brit Club:



NCTS DET Far East Receiver Site:



D.G. Cycling Club:



I hope this gives some of you a bit of an idea where I'm heading off to for the next year and a bit. I may make things easy on myself and simply continue to update this thread throughout my tour over there.

Enjoy!

DD

WNG

Nice photos! Great beaches, and boy is it flat. I bet the SCUBA diving is excellent.
Please do update this thread of your happenings there, as long as it's not a security issue.

fender1

Interesting. I was wondering if you chose to go or were asked to go?

Drillium Dude 

Oh, I chose to go - this will be my third time stationed there.

Yes, I'm single

DD

Drillium Dude 

It isn't going to help my climbing being on the island, but it'll definitely allow me to get my mileage in. No diving here (no D-chamber) but the snorkeling is the shizz.

DD

stevemtbr

I was deployed there with the Air Force for the 2nd gulf war. Really liked it and I didn't bring a bike but sure wish I did. The highest elevation on base is the pool at 22ft above sea level!

2manybikes

A friend spent time there. He said there was a bike race on THE road. The race apparently had Freds on Mountain bikes, and fast guys on tri bikes. Only a few riders.

He said on some of his rides he had to wait for the wild donkeys to get out of the way.
He got a shirt I think that was from the bike shop? Maybe it was the club, I can't remember.

Wildwood 

Seattle-ites -- there should be a send-off ride.
I know, I missed the last one.

Giacomo 1 

Ummm, that's pretty nice DD, but when are you going to show us the rest of it?

At least the Brits are there. I did alot of partying with them when I was stationed in Sardinia. Great bunch of guys!

Kactus

I've heard of doing some extreme things to escape the winter rains but you take the prize!

Michael Angelo 

Nice beaches. Have a safe tour and hurry back.

Drillium Dude 

Thanks for your service, Steve.

True: the 22' elevation at the pool is the nosebleed section

DD

gomango

How's the fishing?

Jeff, I would be packing my Muskie rods for sure.

Probably try to fit in several fly rods and boxes of salt water flys as well.

Those beaches look fantastic.

northbend 

Man those beaches look inviting! I could go for some of that...

Drillium Dude 

When I was president of the Cycling Club, we got some really good turnouts for the races; on average, we held one per week. Sure, a lot were Freds, but a lot were serious, too. We'd normally end up with 10-12 in the main breakaway on the out/back races (about 36 miles) and the sprint always came down to the same 6/7 riders.

A typical turnout on race day:



The donkeys are on the southeast part of the island and are kept there by the installation of the imaginatively-named Donkey Gate (about 18 miles south of the downtown area). I was scared half to death one night when a number of us rode out to the other side only for all of our headlight batteries to die on the return leg. We heard the donkeys lumbering along the road with us - I actually brushed against one of them - for a bit before we got to the Gate and the moon began showing through the cloud cover again. Fun times.

DD

Drillium Dude 

I'd love nothing better - but time's run out as I drive southward on Thursday morning. I've got one-third of my collection staying in WA, however, so I'll be back for a visit and ride at the very least. So far, I haven't eliminated WA from my short-list of retirement spots.

DD

Drillium Dude 

Oh, don't worry - I'll post pics of the nightlife once I get there. The stuff I do have is not exactly fit for a family-oriented Forum

DD

Drillium Dude 

Gotta do what I gotta do

Actually, I really like the place. I spent the entire 12 months on the island last time - didn't leave for a 30 day leave at all. Why? Sun, sand, cycling and snorkeling...fishing isn't bad, either (it's actually phenomenal).

DD

Drillium Dude 

Nothing beats unmolested coral beaches in the middle of the ocean, huh? I wonder if I'll really want to hurry back?

One thing is for sure: I really have to make the most of this one because this is it; I'll never again get the opportunity again to visit after I retire.

DD

Drillium Dude 

The fishing is absolutely amazing, Grady. Wahoo, sailfish, grouper, yellowfin - almost anything you can think of is out there waiting to get hooked. Personally, I spent more time swimming with them than trying to hook them (even played with some porpoises), but this time I want to catch something and be photographed with it.

DD

Drillium Dude 

Agreed - much more inviting than the rain and wind I'm seeing and hearing right now

DD

Giacomo 1 

No need to worry, I just heard it will be a new stop over for Carnival Cruises next year!

Kactus

Looks like there might some good fly fishing for bonefish as well!

Savagewolf

Have fun there. That was on my list of places I wanted to go but I never got a chance to be stationed there. I spent a lot of time in Okinawa and Guam, so that at least made up for it. Diego Garcia seems like a pretty sweet place. I would of never suspected that there were so many into cycling on such a small bit of land. I'm a big fan of hills, but I'm sure you'll manage just fine.

I'm curious as to how the bicycle consumables will work there. Are you planning on just bringing a bunch of extra tubes and other items, or just mail for them when needed ?

Drillium Dude 

Thanks to you for your Service as well

Consumables: oh, yeah - I packed off a lot of extra stuff! I also took along a lot of parts to drill on, but who knows? For whatever reason I might end up pressing some of it into service.

There is stuff available there, but it's limited. Most people use catalog or online ordering for the specific stuff they require.

DD