TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --
Being a volunteer team member in the Oklahoma chapter of
the Air Force Cycling Team involves a lot more than riding.
A big part of it is representing the Air Force – on the
bikes and off.
In last July’s (Des Moines) Register’s Annual Great Bike
Ride Across Iowa, better known as RAGBRAI, participants in the weeklong event
left written comments that show their volunteer efforts are more than just
finishing the race.
“I saw a group of Air Force teammates directing riders
around a crash while the EMS worked,” a commenter said. “I have seen so many
selfless acts by your team to help other riders. Proud of the job y’all do.
Brag about the team often.”
Another commenter gave a glimpse of the public
relations/recruiting side of the team’s outreach.
“I was talking to group of boys from a mentor/challenge
team,” a commenter said. “One eighth-grade boy was proud to show me the Air
Force sunglasses one of y’all had given him. Made a great impression for the
next generation.”
Oklahoma team co-captains Chelsea Aspelund and Tom Abney
said being on the team involves fun, friendship and promoting the Air Force
life. Another benefit is the chance for professional mentorship among members
of different ranks and military and civilian occupations.
An Air Force captain, Aspelund said that when she recently
became an instructor air battle manager at the 966th Airborne Air Control
Squadron, “the first thing I did when I was on a bike ride was go, ‘All right
guys, I want to make this a little bit about work. You need to tell me what
makes a good shop chief. How can I be a
good flight commander?’
“Opportunities like that are really awesome,” Aspelund
said.
The chapter is currently recruiting new team members in
preparation for weekly training rides, official rides such as participating in
parades, and the team’s biggest annual event, RAGBRAI next July.
Interested riders should be enthusiastic about cycling and
can be at any skill level. Abney said he started as a Senior Airman with a
basic-level road bike. Membership is open to active duty military, Guard,
Reserve, retirees, civilians and dependents.
The team meets for one to two training rides a week of 10
to 30 miles. They also participate in local rides and events once or twice a
month. As a chapter of the Air Force Cycling Team, members are allowed
permissive leave to participate in official rides.
The team currently has 24 members, including riders from
Altus AFB and units based at Will Rogers World Airport.
Abney, a criminal investigator with the 72nd Security
Forces Squadron, said team members build a strong bond over time on rides in
all kinds of weather. Riders become friends, especially at the seven-day
RAGBRAI that covers several hundred miles.
“RAGBRAI is the biggest connection time,” Abney said.
“You’re spending a solid 24 hours over seven days, camping in tents. You can
hear each other snoring at night. It’s great, though, because it takes away a
lot of rank structure. You’re just all Air Force.
“It can really bolster your pride and commitment to the
branch, for sure.”
Helping out the team
The Oklahoma Air Force Cycling Team is looking for a
private organization sponsor to help offset some of the out-of-pocket costs
borne by the individual cyclists, team captain Chelsea Aspelund said.
The state chapter team operates under the rules of the
overall Air Force Cycling Team organization, but it’s up to riders to cover
expenses such as entry fees, lodging and transportation, Aspelund said.
The team is hoping that a base private organization will
partner with the team so that members can use the organization’s tax
identification information to attract local sponsors.
Individuals can help the overall Air Force Cycling Team by
buying high-quality AFCT cycling jerseys from Oct. 15 to Nov. 25. The short- or
long-sleeve versions can be ordered at afcycling.com.