Members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1983, along with Perrysburg personnel, do 22 push-ups to start the day on Sept. 27. A group of classmates are riding across America to get to their 40th reunion at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The group is riding to raise awareness and fundraise for veteran causes as well as seeing the country that they served and enjoying the camaraderie of being on the road together.
Students and representatives from Perrysburg Junior High School pose for photos with Naval Academy alumni cyclists during a breakfast gathering on Sept. 27 in Perrysburg.
Photos by Scott W. Grau | Sentinel-Tribune
Members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1983 do push-ups before continuing their journey to their reunion in Annapolis, Maryland.
A cyclist wearing the official jersey of the U.S. Naval Academy Ride Across America team is seen during a breakfast gathering in Perrysburg on Sept. 27.
Photos by Scott W. Grau | Sentinel-Tribune
PERRYSBURG — A group from the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1983, who are riding across America to get to their 40th reunion, made an overnight stop at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Perrysburg on Sept. 27.
Every day of the ride begins with all participants, including members of the local communities, doing 22 push-ups to raise awareness to the many suicide prevention resources available to end suicide among service members, veterans, and their families.
Perrysburg Fire Chief William McCullough, Administrator Joe Fawcett, council members Mark Weber and Jonathan Smith, fire Lt. Al Bagdonas and firefighters Pete Scarborough and Rob Marciniak, police Chief Patrick Jones and police Lt. Richard Cartwright participated in the challenge.
Members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1983 do push-ups before continuing their journey to their reunion in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Naval Academy alumni group began their transcontinental ride on Aug. 23 in Whidbewy, Washington. They will ride 3,423 miles over 113,059 feet of altitude stopping in 44 different cities along the way. Their final stop is the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
A total of 75 people associated with the Class of 1983 are riding at various points along the route with 16 completing the entire 3,423 miles. A support team follows the riders to transport luggage, spare bikes and parts, food and beverages and to help with any problems along the way.
Each day the group rides an average of 75 miles stopping at night in a new city or town. The alumni riders actively engage with local communities along their route to gather support for veterans.
The idea to ride across America to their 40th class reunion began in 2018 by couple of die-hard cyclists at their 35th reunion. The group started doing weeklong training rides each year which built momentum. After working out the logistics for the trip and doing the required training the Naval Academy alumi cyclist hit the road for their epic cross-country journey.
Students and representatives from Perrysburg Junior High School pose for photos with Naval Academy alumni cyclists during a breakfast gathering on Sept. 27 in Perrysburg.
Photos by Scott W. Grau | Sentinel-Tribune
The final day of the ride will start at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, where the group will join up with the Class of 1973 who embarked on a similar cross-country ride. They will honor fallen classmates from the class of 1983. The combined classes of riders will then ride to the Naval Academy and complete their journey by dipping their wheels in the Chesapeake Bay before attending their 4oth class reunion.
