Back in Black, Team Air Force returns to Iowa for RAGBRAI

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt Vincent De Groot
  • 185 ARW Wing Public Affairs
Sioux City, IA --  Dressed in stealthy black, the Air Force cycling team is back in Iowa this week for the 43rd running of Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa bicycle touring event or RAGBRAI.

The 125 member team is made up of Active-Duty Air Force, Reserve, National Guard, and Air Force civilian riders.

Team members ride as a way to promote the Air Force and to display wingmanship and fitness.

The weeklong event is held each July and this year has riders going from Sioux City in the west, and then traveling nearly 500 miles before ending in the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River by the end of the week.

The Des Moines Register organizes the event each year.  It began when Journalists from the capital city's daily newspaper challenged each other to ride bicycle across the state, while writing about the experience for the paper.

Today the number of registered riders is limited to 8500 participants.

RAGBRAI has become the premiere event for the Air Force Cycling team which is one of the largest teams to participate each year.

If you are a member of any branch of the Air Force you may participate with the Air Force Team.

You can find them on afcycling.com. http://www.afcycling.com/

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