HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Despite summer heat and humidity, 2nd Lt. Steven Carroll pedaled more than 500 miles across the Midwest as a member of the U.S. Air Force Cycling Team during a popular event July 25-31.
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, is a seven-day ride that sees thousands of cyclists pushing themselves to be top athletes, as well as spokespeople.
“The Air Force Cycling team is a great recruiting effort,” said Carroll, a reservist in the 419th Fighter Wing. “Everyone on the team wears an Air Force cycling uniform, and we always aim to represent the Air Force and its core values wherever we go.”
Carroll logged up to 125 miles in a single day, braving temperatures in the low 90s. He slept in a tent each night in cities along the route from Le Mars to Clinton, Iowa.
He said he hoped to be a good example to people on the road.
“Our goal was to help anybody with mechanical or health issues on the side of the road,” he said. “I changed tires and fixed chains, and aided with traffic rerouting after a couple accidents. I also handed out Air Force water bottles and squishy balls to kids and talked with people along the route.”
Cyclists representing the Air Force this year included 104 current and retired Airmen.