NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Some people ride bicycles for recreation, exploring the flora and fauna of nature trails. Others prefer a less scenic route, spinning to nowhere in gym classes as they sweat to oldies music.

Amateur cyclist Cmdr. Scott Giles has bridged those two spheres, creating a quiet revolution as a competitive cyclist as he prepares this week for the Nature Valley Grand Prix being held June 12 to 16 in St. Paul, Minn.

Giles is the T-45 integrated product team lead in the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River. He qualified for the Grand Prix by placing in the top three this spring at the Jefferson Cup in Charlottesville, Va. The race is part of the Nature Valley Pro Chase Qualifier series. The Pro Chase offers amateurs from across the country an opportunity to compete in the Grand Prix alongside the country’s top professional cyclists. The men’s race is more than 200 miles.

“When I came across the finish line [at the Jefferson Cup], I did the calculus of who’s who. There were four of us who broke away from the field and approached the finish,” Giles said. “The final sprint sorted it out, and I got third. I was really happy I did that well in that race. I crossed the line and remember going ‘Wow, that was better than I imagined.’”

Giles, who stands 6 feet 5 inches and sports a lean physique, began cycling about a decade ago in his 30s, on the trails of the Patuxent River. While serving as a test pilot at NAS Patuxent River, he said he was approached by another cyclist who encouraged him to join a local group.

Cycling groups are social, and there’s a place for everyone, even beginners, Giles said. “At first, I thought the people in the group were snobby.  I wanted to ride with them, but I couldn’t keep up and I just didn’t understand how to ride tactically, or even safely. I quickly learned they were great folks and they taught me how to ride better, safer, faster. My foundation in racing was developed from the Tuesday Night PAX VELO group rides that meet at the pool at [5:30 p.m.] right here at NAS PAX. I owe a debt of gratitude to the many personalities that, contrary to my original impression, were downright welcoming and tactfully offered much-needed assistance and guidance.”

Giles said he has some secret weapons that may give him an edge in the Grand Prix: his wife, Lt. Cmdr. Kathleen Giles, and Pete Custer, his teammate, who has previously competed in the Grand Prix.

Kathleen Giles, who works in the Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209), is also a competitive cyclist. She earned a spot and raced in the 2011 Nature Valley Grand Prix.

“Katy has quite a bit more experience racing in professional fields,” said Giles of his wife. “I’ve been listening carefully to her observations of just how fast riders at this level are and what the race courses will be like. I have tried to harness those stories as training motivation.”

Giles, who has been in the Navy for almost 20 years, credits lessons learned in the Navy for his ability to work well in a group dynamic.

“I stand on the shoulders of my team, Bike Doctor," Giles said. "In the Jefferson Cup qualifying race, my team worked very hard to put me in good position at the finish, but the result is credited to me on paper. Basic leadership skills reinforced throughout my naval career, such as giving credit where it is due and recognizing team contributions goes a long way. When these guys come out on the weekends and work so hard for this result, it is important to take time to recognize their contributions and I hope I represent them well in Minnesota."