A closer look at the 2024 Air Force Cycling Team and its charitable mission

As the Chief Marketing Officer of The Air Force Cycling Team, a non-profit cycling team, I am thrilled to provide you with details about our 2024 team, including its structure, board members, regional teams, major rides, and supported charities. 

Over the past three decades, we have experienced significant growth and evolution. Our eight board of directors, all active riders, oversee day-to-day operations and year-to-year planning. We are supported by a team treasurer and a chief information officer.  

The team comprises more than 14 regional sub-teams spanning the United States and abroad (At-Large, Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, National Capital Region, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Southeast, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas, and Pacific Region). These regional teams consist of a team lead and local riders, some of whom participate in each of our major events. The At-Large team accommodates riders who may not be near a regional team but still want to contribute. 

As of the Fall of 2023, our non-profit is registered under 501(c)(3). We do not receive direct funds from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, or the federal government. Riders cover the cost of their own cycling kits, bicycles and cycling gear, tickets and transportation expenses, and other incidentals. 

We actively participate in local and regional rides across the United States, with two major national events; the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, RAGBRAI, a seven-day ride across Iowa, and the Air Force’s Memorial to Memorial Ride, M2M, four-day ride from the Wright Brothers Memorial to the U.S.A.F. Memorial in D.C., which we host in September. 

The AFCT supports charitable organizations such as the Wounded Airman and Guardians Program, the Air Force & Space Force Association, the Combined Federal Campaign, and the Air Force Aid Society. These partnerships offer our members opportunities to give back to our Air Force comrades. 

Donations are welcome through our website at afcycling.com. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, we rely on contributions to fund our activities. Several ways to support us include our Young Airmen Scholarship, consumable gear donations, monetary donations, and in-kind donations. Additionally, M2M donations directly benefit the AFA and the Wounded Airman and Guardians Program. 

For those interested in joining, volunteering, or supporting the Air Force Cycling Team, detailed information is available on our website at afcycling.com. Our team, consisting of volunteers from Active Duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, family members, and retirees, always welcomes new members and volunteers to help us promote the Air Force and Space Force. 

All our members share a commitment to highlighting the Air Force and Space Force as the nation’s defenders of freedom in the air, space, and cyberspace. Spotting a member of the Air Force Cycling Team on any road, anywhere in the world, means witnessing a dedicated individual in service.

The Air Force Cycling Team, AFCT CFC #22104, hosts the Air Force Heritage Memorial to Memorial Bike Ride, M2M, from the Wright Brothers’ Memorial to the Air Force Memorial, #M2MRide. This riding event is open to all and celebrates the heritage of air flight and supports wounded Airmen and Guardians. 

Our M2M mission is to help our wounded Airmen, Guardians, and their families by raising money for the Air and Space Forces Association’s, Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program. Among other magnificent work done by ASFA, the WAP outfits the wounded with custom bicycles and sponsors their rides. 

We are now a listed charity, Air Force Cycling Team – M2M, CFC code 22104, and are asking you and your colleagues to consider donating to our cause this year. The CFC campaign began on Sep. 1, 2023, and we need your help to spread the word. 

“This year, we have at least one such wounded warrior riding the entire M2M. How cool is that for all of us?”  Bob “Surf” Beletic, M2M director

The CFC 2023 campaign theme – Give Happy – encourages federal employees and retirees to join the CFC community and change everything. The campaign focuses on individual members of the federal community and incorporates storytelling to inspire donors to become changemakers through authentic, relatable giving testimonials. 

Federal employees and retirees represent a strong, caring community through the CFC, dedicated to making a difference for those in need. A program of the Office of Personnel Management, the CFC offers the federal community the opportunity to donate to thousands of participating charities.  

Here’s how it works: 
 

1. Choose your cause. The CFC has vetted all the charities listed. You can give to the AFCT using code 22104.  

2. Complete or update your profile. Enter your ZIP code to access the list of units/offices. 

3. Search for the charities you want to support. “Air Force Cycling Team – 22104″ 

4. Make your pledge. Our favorite giving option, the online pledge portal, allows you to easily renew your pledge each year and offers the full range of pledge options: 

• Payroll deduction (the most popular!) 

• Credit/debit card 

• E-check/bank transfer 

• Volunteer hours (federal employees only) 

Other options include the CFC Giving Mobile App and paper pledge forms. 

5. Change the World. Thanks to your generosity, CFC charities will make a difference in our local communities, across the nation, and around the world. 

Federal employees and retirees can start their donation at GiveCFC.org. Pledges must be made by Jan. 15, 2024. 

To learn about these organizations, visit www.afcycling.com and www.givecfc.org. #AFCT, #M2Mride, #GiveCFC