Known to RAGBRAI riders as guardian angels, the Air Force Cycling team (AFCT) completed their 29th year participating in the ride on Saturday.
Husband and wife, Mark and Melody Redding from Virginia are members of the Air Force Cycling team. It was Melody’s second RAGBRAI and Mark’s first time at the event. While on the route through Parkersburg, the Redding’s described how the team steps up to provide support to fellow riders.
“It’s fantastic. You make the best friends and we’re the coolest kids on the block. Everyone appreciates us and we enjoy interacting with them. We help them on the road again and stay upright,” Melody. “We just make sure that we can get them back on the road if possible. Whether that’s changing a tube or fixing a chain, things of that nature. Everybody’s just been so friendly and supportive, it’s amazing. Many people come up to us and say, you guys saved me three years ago. Thank you so much. It’s fun to be able to go out there and help people. Then we get back on the road and enjoy the day with everybody else, says Mark.”
Mark Redding on a unique opportunity the event provides.
“There’s so many people here, so many opportunities to say hello and meet somebody new from somewhere new,” says Mark. “Striking up a conversation as you’re riding amongst 20,000 other people really creates a very unique and fun experience for everybody.”
The team was formed in 1995 by Air Force recruiters in Bellevue, Nebraska for the purpose of riding in RAGBRAI. AFCT is comprised of Volunteer Active Duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, their family members and retirees. More information about the team can be found afcycling.com
