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Cape Commander selected to represent US Team overseas

By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published August 22, 2013

Lt. Col. David "Dash" Ashley positions his compass to look for a checkpoint (control). He will be participating in the 2013 U.S. Elite Mountain Bike Orienteering Team that will represent the U.S. in this summer's 11th annual World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Rakvere, Estonia, Aug. 26-31. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Courtesy Photo)
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Lt. Col. David "Dash" Ashley positions his compass to look for a checkpoint (control). He will be participating in the 2013 U.S. Elite Mountain Bike Orienteering Team that will represent the U.S. in this summer's 11th annual World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Rakvere, Estonia, Aug. 26-31, 2013. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Courtesy Photo)

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PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Lt. Col. David "Dash" Ashley, 5th Space Launch Squadron commander, was recently selected to participate in the 2013 U.S. Elite Mountain Bike Orienteering Team to represent the U.S. in this summer's 11th annual World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Rakvere, Estonia, Aug. 26-31.

Ashley was one of four men selected for this year's team, and this is the first year that Florida Orienteering, the local orienteering club headquartered in Orlando, Fla., will be sending a men's team to the world championships.

Although the sport of Mountain Bike Orienteering is very popular in Europe, it still at an early stage in the U.S. Mountain Bike Orienteering competitions involve racing a mountain bike in both urban and wilderness areas to locate checkpoints and return to the finish line in the fastest possible time. Racers are only allowed to use a map and a compass. Global Positioning System devices are prohibited, and events typically last 25 to 90 minutes, depending on the difficulty of the course.

Earlier in August, FLO held an orienting meet as a fundraiser for those selected to go to Estonia for the world championship. Ashley assisted with placing and collecting checkpoints (called controls) during the event, registering individuals and recording their times. Over 12 hours of work resulted in over $400 raised.

Maj. Melissa Krambeck, from the 45th Space Wing Inspector General's office, also participated in the event with her daughter.