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JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 20, 2022

Cyclists ride more than 200 miles to honor Air Force’s 75th Birthday

By Andrew C. Patterson 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force Cycling Team hosted the inaugural Memorial to Memorial bicycle ride Sept. 15-18 from the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

The M2M ride brought more than 90 cyclists from the Air Force and Space Force together over three days to celebrate the Air Force's 75th Anniversary. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr., joined the riders on the last day and led a two-by-two formation of cyclists during the final mile to the Air Force Memorial site.

female cyclists riding bikes
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-LE393-0284 Riders with the Air Force Cycling Team start the final mile of the Memorial to Memorial ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2022. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
cyclists stage before getting into formation
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-LE393-0064 Riders with the Air Force Cycling Team wait to start the final mile of the Memorial to Memorial ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2022. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
group of cyclist stage before a ride
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-LE393-0180 Riders with the Air Force Cycling Team wait to start the final mile of the Memorial to Memorial ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2022. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
two male cyclists speak to one another
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-KN215-0226 Chief of Staff of the Air Force hosts the Air Force cycling team. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. Sept.18, 2022. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Trujillo)
two cyclists pose for a photo
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-KN215-0061 Chief of Staff of the Air Force hosts the Air Force cycling team. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. Sept.18, 2022. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Trujillo)
two cyclists pose for a photo
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-KN215-0055 Chief of Staff of the Air Force hosts the Air Force cycling team. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. Sept.18, 2022. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Trujillo)
two male officers pose for a photo in AFCT cycling kits
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-LE393-0195 Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., left, poses with a rider with the Air Force Cycling Team before starting the final mile of the Memorial to Memorial ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2022. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
male cyclist clapping
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-LE393-0171 Retired Gen. David L. Goldfein, 21st Air Force chief of staff, listens to remarks from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. before starting the final mile of the Memorial to Memorial ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2022. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
picture of back of cycling jersey
SLIDESHOW | images | 220918-F-LE393-0006 A rider with the Air Force Cycling Team waits to start the final mile of the Memorial to Memorial ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2022. The four-day, 338-mile ride ran from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

"I can't thank you enough for connecting with communities and talking to folks about the Air Force," Brown said.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman, who rode from Quantico, Virginia, to the Air Force Memorial, thanked the AFCT for hosting the ride, raising awareness of the Air Force’s 75th birthday.

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert Beletic, former vice commander, 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), and former Air Force chief of staff retired Gen. Dave Goldfein were the brainchildren behind the M2M’s creation.

“The purpose of the M2M is to have fun, celebrate our heritage, promote fitness, camaraderie, recruiting, and support our wounded brethren,” Beletic said. "We can track our roots back to two bicycle mechanics tinkering in a garage. From bike trails to contrails and beyond!"

The ride from Kitty Hawk to Arlington is approximately 267 miles. The AFCT plans to host the M2M ride annually to celebrate the Air Force’s heritage.

For more information on the AFCT or the M2M, visit afcycling.com.