State Partnership Program

Video by Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot

AF Cycling Team RAGBRAI 2014

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard

July 20, 2014 | 2:36

It’s called the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or “RAGBRAI”. It is a week-long bicycle touring event that organizers claim is the longest and largest of its kind, in the world.
The event has grown into a monstrosity compared to its humble beginnings; and today tens of thousands descend on the Hawkeye state each summer to participate in the event.
RAGBRAI has become the premier event for the Air Force Cycling Team, with over 100 riders, the Air Force Team is the largest Military Team and one of the largest teams overall. For Team Air Force, RAGBRAI is a bit more like a family reunion; it is a time when team members can get together, renew old acquaintances and promote the Air Force along the way.
Senior Master Sgt Larry Gallo is the Air Force Team director and RAGBRAI veteran, he says RAGBRAI is a great opportunity to tell the Air Force story to a large captive audience, but it is also a great moral boast.
Each year the event has these riders starting in the west part of the state bordered by the Missouri River and ending in the east in a town on the Mississippi River. In just seven days the riders cover nearly 500 miles, all while meeting new people and spreading the Air Force message.
Lt Col John Pugh, a KC-135 pilot with Alabama Air National Guard says it’s the people that keep him coming back each year.
If you are a member of any branch of the Air Force and you are interested in joining the team you can look them up on AFCYCLING.COM. Available in high definition.