Pedal the Springs Podcast Ep 52: Air Force Cycling: RAGBRAI, M2M & Riding with Purpose
What do the Air Force Academy, RAGBRAI, and a 350-mile ride honoring wounded service members have in common? A passion for cycling, service, and community!
On this episode of Pedal the Springs, host Torie Giffin welcomes two inspiring military leaders and fellow cyclists: Lt. Col. Gail Smicklas and Retired Brigadier General Robert “Surf” Beletic.
Together, we explore cycling at the Air Force Academy, the Air Force and Space Force Cycling Teams’ incredible support of riders at RAGBRAI, and how cycling builds camaraderie, leadership, resilience, and lifelong friendships.
Having shared miles with both guests at RAGBRAI, Torie brings her own experiences to this conversation about serving others, supporting fellow riders, and finding community on two wheels.
Host: Torie Giffin – Host of Pedal the Springs Podcast and Owner of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
Guests: Lt. Col. Gail Smicklas – Leadership professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Academy Cycling Club Coach.
Retired Brigadier General Robert “Surf” Beletic – Former fighter pilot and founder of the annual Memorial to Memorial (M2M) Ride, a four-day, 350-mile cycling journey from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina to the Air Force Memorial near Washington, D.C., honoring wounded service members.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort https://www.bicycleresort.com
Air Force Academy https://www.usafa.af.mil/
Air Force Academy Cycling Team https://afcycling.com/
RAGBRAI https://ragbrai.com/
PEDAL THE SPRINGS
Hosted by Torie Giffin, owner of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, Pedal the Springs shares the people, places, organizations and stories that make Colorado Springs an incredible place to ride.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves cycling, community, and making Colorado Springs an even better place to live and ride!
Pedal the Springs is produced by Studio809 Podcasts from the NextUs in Downtown Colorado Springs and presented by the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, the only bicycle-themed lodging and must-stay for cyclists coming to Colorado. Check us out at bicycleresort.com for more information.
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