The Armed Forces Cycling Classic (AFCC), presented by The Boeing Company, will be offering free AFCC Virtual Ride options this year, as the overall event had to cancel due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual rides will be hosted on Strava and Zwift and a free rebroadcast of the 2019 AFCC will be available thanks to our media partner Monumental Sports Network.
“We hope that we can inspire cyclists to get out and either enjoy the great routes that we have to offer in our Strava Club or join us on our Zwift ride.” said Robert Laybourn, President of Arlington Sports and the Founder and Event Director of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic. “We look forward to seeing everyone in person when we return in 2021.”
Armed Forces Cycling Classic will kick off the weekend with a virtual Challenge Ride on their Strava Club. For those in the Washington D.C. area, three routes have been created to enjoy while riding safe and solo. For anyone outside of the D.C. area, we encourage them to ride, and we ask all participants to post photos to the AFCC Strava Club page or Instagram and tag @af_cyclingclassic to show that we are all riding together.
Saturday, May 30th at 11am, Armed Forces Cycling Classic will host a no-drop ZWIFT ride in partnership with Rapha. Athletes Justin and Cory Williams of Legion of Los Angeles will serve as ride leaders for this exclusive virtual event. AFCC and race announcer Brad Sohner will also host an Instagram Live during the event at instagram.com/af_cyclingclassic.
There will be no fees to participate in any of the Virtual Ride options and we do encourage participants to fundraise for our beneficiary, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). All riders who raise $200 or more will receive a limited edition Team TAPS jersey. Interested riders can set up their fundraising page at http://team.taps.org/cyclingclassic.
“Although a little different this year, we are so grateful to the Armed Forces Cycling Classic for hosting this AFCC Virtual Challenge Ride, and continuing this heartfelt partnership during these uncertain times,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder. What’s so amazing about these virtual challenge rides is that cyclists–from novices to experts–can ride with Team TAPS, honoring the memory of a fallen military hero, while also supporting our mission to care for those grieving the death of a military loved one.”
We are also pleased to be able to share a free rebroadcast of the 2019 Clarendon Cup on Monumental Sports Network as well as a newly produced recap show with women’s and men’s winners, Kendall Ryan of Team Tibco-SVB and Eric Young of Elevate-Webiplex Pro Cycling Team.
For more information and to register for the AFCC Virtual Challenge Rides, visit www.cyclingclassic.org/virtual.