Beyond the ride ~ AFCT

A closer look at the 2024 Air Force Cycling Team and its charitable mission

As the Chief Marketing Officer of The Air Force Cycling Team, a non-profit cycling team, I am thrilled to provide you with details about our 2024 team, including its structure, board members, regional teams, major rides, and supported charities. 

Over the past three decades, we have experienced significant growth and evolution. Our eight board of directors, all active riders, oversee day-to-day operations and year-to-year planning. We are supported by a team treasurer and a chief information officer.  

The team comprises more than 14 regional sub-teams spanning the United States and abroad (At-Large, Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, National Capital Region, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Southeast, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas, and Pacific Region). These regional teams consist of a team lead and local riders, some of whom participate in each of our major events. The At-Large team accommodates riders who may not be near a regional team but still want to contribute. 

As of the Fall of 2023, our non-profit is registered under 501(c)(3). We do not receive direct funds from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, or the federal government. Riders cover the cost of their own cycling kits, bicycles and cycling gear, tickets and transportation expenses, and other incidentals. 

We actively participate in local and regional rides across the United States, with two major national events; the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, RAGBRAI, a seven-day ride across Iowa, and the Air Force’s Memorial to Memorial Ride, M2M, four-day ride from the Wright Brothers Memorial to the U.S.A.F. Memorial in D.C., which we host in September. 

The AFCT supports charitable organizations such as the Wounded Airman and Guardians Program, the Air Force & Space Force Association, the Combined Federal Campaign, and the Air Force Aid Society. These partnerships offer our members opportunities to give back to our Air Force comrades. 

Donations are welcome through our website at afcycling.com. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, we rely on contributions to fund our activities. Several ways to support us include our Young Airmen Scholarship, consumable gear donations, monetary donations, and in-kind donations. Additionally, M2M donations directly benefit the AFA and the Wounded Airman and Guardians Program. 

For those interested in joining, volunteering, or supporting the Air Force Cycling Team, detailed information is available on our website at afcycling.com. Our team, consisting of volunteers from Active Duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, family members, and retirees, always welcomes new members and volunteers to help us promote the Air Force and Space Force. 

All our members share a commitment to highlighting the Air Force and Space Force as the nation’s defenders of freedom in the air, space, and cyberspace. Spotting a member of the Air Force Cycling Team on any road, anywhere in the world, means witnessing a dedicated individual in service.