Been doing it for years, love this event!,Eddie,Arlington,VA . . . Blue Halo,Ken,gainesville,VA . . . Brendan made me,Jonathan,Potomac,MD . . . Visiting daughter, who's riding in it.,Grayson,HIRAM,GA . . .Last year was such a joy, despite arriving 1 hour later than I planned. Completed 56 miles! A dream come true - didn't think I could compete, for years. Achieving that goal added much confidence to my 2023 cycling season and I continued on many glorious rides after. OMG, the riders, all classes, shapes, sizes, competitive levels. The group teams!! The outfits. The athletic excellence of the many riders in the challenge ride. I was so proud. Just a super experience overall, Gerald,Upper Marlboro,MD . . . AF retired buddy has done it several times.,Ron,Scottsdale,AZ . . . Air Force Cycling Team,Craig,Cibolo,TX . . . As a retired military officer I love to support causes which look after our Veterans!,Maria,Marble Falls,TX . . . As a veteran, I enjoy supporting the armed forces!,Jim,Wallingford,PA As an Air Force Vet, it's always a great experience to see the different services (and many Vets) out exercising and having fun. Its a great outlet and a great cause.,James,Alexandria,VA . . . As i get older, I love the challenge and it gives me something to train for during the spring.",Paul,Oak Hill,VA . . . As the parent of four service members, we support our military!,Michael,Charlotte,NC . . . otten back into bike riding this year. Wouldn't mind trying out the challenge.,Joshua,Essex,MD . . . Graduation from the kids races, racing with parent.,Henry,Alexandria,VA . . . Great cause and fun event,Andrew,Bethesda,MD . . . Highlights my biking year.,Nick,Hartsville,SC . . . I became an amputee August 2022. Last year was learning the prosthetic with running, rowing, rock climb, pickleball, skiing and more with Sportable, non -profit organization for disabled athletes. The staff, volunteers and athletes have been a ""game"" changer for me both mentally and physically. All inspire and help me push to new\exciting challenges. 2024 is biking on 2 wheels for me!! Many veterans with Sportable - I ride to honor and thank them for their support.,Suellen,richmond,VA . . . I bought a bike,Bradley,Fairfax,VA . . . I completed 3 laps the first time and want to challenge myself to complete 4 this time.,Emir,Arlington,VA . . . I enjoyed the ride last year and want to do it again.,Jonathan,Arlington,VA . . . I got into cycling after retiring and would like my first fun group ride to be with the military family as I push myself to get as many laps as possible.,Nicholaus,Campton,NH . . . I had knee surgery weeks before the ride last year and was only able to do 3 laps. This year I want all 9!,Douglas,Arlington,VA . . . I have a brother at Pensacola Naval Flight School and a brother about to graduate from Virginia Tech's Core of Cadets and commission into the U.S. Army for Aviation. This ride is for love of them and their sacrifices and for love of our country! Thank you to all who have given all!,Jillian,Gainesville,VA . . . It is a great opportunity for us to get together outside of work, enjoy a morning with the rest of the local cycling community, and support a great cause! Well-being and making an Impact in the community are things that are central to our culture at Deloitte so this event is a perfect fit for us. That and we had a ton of fun at last year's ride!,John,Catonsville,MD . . . It is an iconic ride on my bucket list of events,STEPHEN,ARLINGTON,VA . . Looks Cool!!!,Reggie,Columbia,MD . . . Looks fun!,Phillip,Dahlgren,VA . . . Loose weight and maintain good mental health.,Steve,Oakton,VA . . . love cycling,jose,MIAMI,FLMissed it last year.....,Paul,Ashburn,VA . . . Motivation from myself, peers, giving back and healthy lifestyle,Kariym,Bowie,MD . . . Motivation to get back in cycling shape again this year. And the event is just fun.,Mark,Alexandria,VA . . . My brother did this last year and encouraged me to join him this year.,Wayne,Brampton,ON . . . My friend is motivating me to join this ride,Abdul,Kent,WA . . My kids look up to me for doing this, and it inspires them to do the kids challenge ride. This event is a goal that motivates me to train through winter and spring and it inspires me to stay in good health and demonstrate that hard work pays off to my kids.,Rick,Alexandria,VA . . . Teamwork and supporting the military,Jack,Owings,MD . . . The 2023 Challenge Ride was a great event - well organized, and it brought out the best in me.,Dwight,Arlington,VA . . . The American People,Nelson,Oak Hill,VA . . . The Armed Forces Cycling Challenge is one of my favorite rides of the year. The atmosphere and positive energy is simply amazing. As a novel bike rider, I’m looking forward to participating in my 4th consecutive year.,Orinthal,Clarksburg,MD . . . The camaraderie and for support of TAPS!,Kelly,Woodbridge,VA . . . The challenge to myself, to ride with others and to ride on the course around DC/crystal city,Tim,Virginia Beach,VA . . . The comraderie,Paul,Alexandria,VA . . . The race happens right outside my apartment.,Chris,Arlington,VA The whole event is such a blast.,Tim,Port Tobacco,MD . . . This challenge is an annual family tradition. We love this event!,Naseer,Arlington,VA . . . This event has kick off my biking season for over 13 years. . My friend Mario and I truly have enjoyed this ride.,Joe,Arlington,VA This is a big event for my cycling Club,Angelique,bowie,MD . . . This is a fun event at a great venue for a very worthy cause! Our team enjoys the event and the comradery of participating as a group!,Mark,Roanoke,VA . . . This is an exhilarating course. I love the energy of the volunteers and the participants.,Layla,Washington,DC . . . Those currently serving on active duty,Adam,Chapel Hill,NC . . . Through the years (last 15 yrs) I have had 9 Shoulders Surgeries (including, 3 yrs ago a Lt Full Replacement) and 3 Knee surgeries w (last yr a full RT Knee Replacement).. And after each one, after grueling phy.therpy, I was able to compete finishing always with earning a silver medal (4 or 5 laps) Always with the intention of winning a Gold. Last yr., I was only able to get 2 laps in, due to severe increased pain while riding during the race & limited time to train before the race. But this yr I'm going to try harder, again to complete for that elusive "Gold"".,JOHN, Vienna, VA . . . Time with my son,Ivan,Fairfax,VA . . . To be part of a team,Armani,Arlington,VA . . . To better myself in cycling.,Elena,Petersburg,VA . . . To challenge myself to return to better cycling shape. I love doing this ride every year!,Gregory,Alexandria,VA . . . To complete 4 laps after knee replacement surgery.,Kenneth,Bear,DE . . . . To get the ninth lap.,Thomas,Washington,DC . . . to honor my father who served in the navy in WWII,Henry,Alexandria,VA . . . To motivate other cyclist friends.,Arthur,Fredericksburg,VA . . . Too complicated for details. I want to earn the gold medal but keep coming up a few minutes short. Next year, I'll still want the gold medal. The year after that... One day I'll be too old and tired so strike while the iron is hot.,Mark,Ewing,NJ . . . Tradition!,David,Fairfax,VA . . .