An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Scott Airmen join thousands cycling across Iowa

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Herard
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  All Airmen are recruiters, whether it's through day-to-day interactions with people, or through organized sports, such as the Air Force Cycling Team, which has members from across the Air Force, including Scott Air Force Base.

The Scott members joined the rest of the team in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa July 25-31. Every year more than 15,000 people participate in RAGBRAI riding west to east through different Iowa towns.

"We're not competitive like an Olympic team, but we are an official team that represents the Air Force in a recruiting sense," said Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Carey, Scott's Cycling Team captain. "It's fun to roll into towns where people invite you to their porch to drink lemonade. The best way I could describe RAGBRAI is the Tour de France meets Woodstock meets Mardi Gras."

The Air Force team began participating in RAGBRAI in 1987 as a way to provide a positive public image. From the few members who kicked it off more than 20 years ago, to the more than 140 members currently on the team, they are one of the largest groups.
"We're known to be the first to stop when someone crashes and needs help, and we often win the Most Helpful Team award," said Chaplain Carey.

Many Air Force bases across the nation have their own teams, each with eight to 10 members, and they all come together to form one big team.

"Coming together makes it a lot of fun to spend a week with fellow Airmen who you don't get to see every day, and you also get to meet new Airmen from places you have never been before," said the chaplain. "It is a testament to the size of the Air Force family."
By the end of RAGBRAI, the team will have cycled about 500 miles.

"Each town you go through hosts a county fair so everyone can come out and cheer us on," said Chaplain Carey. "We stop in the towns to interact with the people and hand out recruiter material."

In preparation for RAGBRAI the team had been riding Saturday mornings and meeting one night a week, in addition to individual preparation.

"I have been practicing clean eating by eating salads, protein and fruit, and maintaining a good weight because every extra pound only makes it harder," he said.

For Chaplain Carey, cycling became a part of his life in college.

"I love to ride," he said. "I'm also a huge Tour de France fanatic; it's the only sport I watch. Plus, I love the spirit of cycling and the fact that our team is unique because we are not there just to have a good time, we have a noble cause.

"Iowa is also gorgeous," the Maryland native added. "There are wonderful people and it is a wonderful place to ride."

He also enjoys the unpredictability of it.

"One time we were setting up tent city behind a church in a field when a dust devil picked up all the tents and another time Lance Armstrong rode by, you just never know what is going to happen."

Chaplain Carey's first involvement with RAGBRAI was as a support person.

"Support people carry the tents and gear," said Chaplain Carey. "Because Scott is the closest base, it handles all of the logistics, so it is important to have support people."

This year Chaplain (Capt.) Michael McDonald and Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wocken are serving as support.

Anyone interest in helping next year can contact Chaplain Carey at 256-3303.