Storing Outdoor Equipment

J

JGNH98

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Apr 20, 2019
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Hi all,

I am a rising sophomore AFROTC cadet who will be attending the USAFA in Fall 2019 for the USAFA/AFROTC Cadet Exchange. I am an avid hiker and mountain and road cyclist, and was wondering if any current or former students know whether or not I can store my bikes securely indoors on campus? I understand full-time cadets at the Academy have the sponsor program available to them, which often enables them to store stuff there, however this won't be the case for me. I am also aware of the Academy's rental program for bikes and other gear, but would strongly prefer to bring my own.

Thank you!
 
I would imagine that hiking gear could be stored in your dorm in your rucksack, but I would recommend renting the bike because I'm not sure of how much free time you'll have:
  • Sophomore academics was significantly more difficult then freshman for my DD; it required a lot more study time
  • Every weekend is either a Silver or Blue Weekend. Silver Weekends you're restricted to base for military training; every home football game is a Silver Weekend as your attendance is required. But don't fret, you get into see the game for free!;) Bring thermals, seriously.
  • Don't think you'll be biking after the snow starts to fall & it is Colorado so...
  • Thanksgiving & Xmas breaks will be time away from campus
 
Thanks for the reply! I just realized I wrote sophomore—I am currently a sophomore and meant to write rising junior.
 
There are bike racks in the open areas under some parts of the dorms. While not “indoor storage” they are covered and enclosed on one or two sides depending on the building configuration. A decent bike lock will make this secure storage since the cadet area has limited access to the public.

Stealth_81
 
Are the "Trunk Rooms" (AKA: storage rooms in each squadron) no longer an option? My data is over 35 years old . . . ;)
 
As a freshmen you will not be issued a storage locker. They are a privilege allocated for the upper three classes. You will have a trunk and may be able to store it in there. Many freshmen are in three-man rooms, which are the same size as two-man rooms with an extra desk and bed. Hence, space can be limited. Your room needs to be in perfect inspection order at all times, so having fewer big possessions is ideal.

You mention that storing it at a sponsor's is not an option. That is your best bet. Every cadet it assigned to a sponsor family.

As a freshmen you will likely be restricted to remaining on base the majority of the time, even on silver weekends when upperclassmen are free to leave. I recall going off base five or six times at most between August and March. That being said, there is great hiking and backpacking on base.

Also, I would not suggest bringing those items with you on I-day. Stick to the list and have your other items mailed out later or bring them back with you after Thanksgiving or winter leave.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to get in touch.
 
greentrees said:
I know the Triathlon team has a room to store their bikes; I'm sure the cycling team does also. You could possibly train and compete with the cycling team while on exchange at USAFA.
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That's an option I hadn't considered. I race some with my home university's team, and would love to join the USAFA team while there. I'll try reaching out to them via their Instagram.

AF22SIS said:
As a freshmen you will not be issued a storage locker. They are a privilege allocated for the upper three classes. You will have a trunk and may be able to store it in there. Many freshmen are in three-man rooms, which are the same size as two-man rooms with an extra desk and bed. Hence, space can be limited. Your room needs to be in perfect inspection order at all times, so having fewer big possessions is ideal.

You mention that storing it at a sponsor's is not an option. That is your best bet. Every cadet it assigned to a sponsor family.

As a freshmen you will likely be restricted to remaining on base the majority of the time, even on silver weekends when upperclassmen are free to leave. I recall going off base five or six times at most between August and March. That being said, there is great hiking and backpacking on base.

Also, I would not suggest bringing those items with you on I-day. Stick to the list and have your other items mailed out later or bring them back with you after Thanksgiving or winter leave.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to get in touch.
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Thanks for the information, however I am a full-time ROTC cadet at a civilian college, and will only be attending the USAFA for one semester as a junior and will be arriving after BCT. From what I've heard from a cadet who did this program last year, I won't be immersed in as much of the training and structure as the USAFA cadets, but I will have the same privileges as any other C/2c. Based upon his experiences and how often he left base, I expect to have a reasonable amount of time to explore the local area and ride. This is contingent on finding a safe place to store my gear away from the elements, which may not be possible but I figured it'd be worth asking!
 
JGNH98 said:
That's an option I hadn't considered. I race some with my home university's team, and would love to join the USAFA team while there. I'll try reaching out to them via their Instagram.
Click to expand...

This is your best option. The bike racks below the dorms are open to the elements.

Maybe a forum member who is a current cadet can get you some contact information for the cadets that run the club.
 
I am currently a sophomore @ the academy. There are tons of outdoor bike racks under our dorm buildings, but indoor space is limited. You honestly could put your bike in your room as long as you can move it for Saturday morning inspections (about 2 of these per semester). We do have storage locker rooms, and being an upperclassman you will be allowed to use them as well as the elevators. A bike will not fit into the locker itself but there will be some space inside the room to store a bike (this will be your best option). I don't think you will have much luck by contacting the cycling team.

I go to my friends' sponsors a lot more than my own, so you could meet someone who has a sponsor family that would be willing to let you keep equipment there. Some cadets rent storage lockers off base for guns and other personal belongings.

And for the training mentioned above: As a junior you will have most weekends free and time after classes to go adventure.
 
Unsure if a one-semester exchange student would get storage space as it would be holding the current (involved in the exchange) cadet's property, but would of course defer to @in_co_24.
 
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