Air Force Cycling Team prepares for 2018 season

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Wed December 06 2017
Posted Dec 6, 2017
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Interacting with the American public at cycling events across the U.S. may not sound like something many people think of members of the Air Force doing.

However, that’s the mission of the Air Force Cycling Team, a group of Airmen who call themselves the “Guardians of the Road.” According to the team’s mission statement, it’s dedicated to promoting the Air Force in the most positive way possible.

The team consists of more than 400 Airmen in regional chapters from California to Massachusetts. Every year, members participate in numerous cycling events, often serving as course marshals where they help cyclists fix flat or punctured tires, replace broken chains and even provide water to those in need.

“We are a group of riders who like to help people,” said Senior Airman Jacob Pinkney, 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-17 Globemaster III crew chief and AFCT member since 2015. “Some people may have been riding for years, but others may not know how to change tires or fix parts on their bikes. We enjoy donating our time to something we love while helping others and representing the Air Force.”

Pinkey is a member of the California chapter of the AFCT, based out of Travis Air Force Base. He said the greatest experience he’s had as part of the team was helping riders during the 2017 Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa in July, a 500-mile trek starting along the state’s western border with the Missouri River and ending at Iowa’s eastern border along the Mississippi River. The RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world.

At RAGBRAI, Pinkney was one of 150 AFCT members serving as course sentries. The event closes the team’s riding season every year and often draws more than 20,000 people.