It started with a simple email to Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills back in April — and ended with a heartwarming connection between a Delaware beach town and a group of cyclists celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime journey from 50 years ago.
The email came from Edward Kruska, who wrote to the mayor with a special request. In it, he explained that during the summer of 1976 — America’s Bicentennial year — he was part of a youth group that pedaled bicycles from one coast of the country to the other. The group set off from Ocean Shores, Washington, on the Pacific Ocean in late June 1976 and wrapped up their journey in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in early August of that same year.
“Hello Mayor Mills,” the email began. “In summer 1976, America’s bicentennial year, I was part of a youth group that road bicycles from coast to coast. We started our trek in Ocean Shores, Washington in late June 1976 on the Pacific Ocean and concluded it in your fine beach city — Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in early August 1976. It was a jubilant moment for sure when we arrived in Rehoboth Beach and saw the Atlantic Ocean!”
Kruska went on to explain that the group was planning a reunion on July 5 in Western Michigan, where the riders originally departed from, and asked whether the mayor might send along a letter or short message to be read aloud at the gathering. He also wondered if the mayor from 1976 might still be reachable.
Mayor Mills passed the email along to Communications Director Brooke Thaler, who then contacted Ed to learn more about the remarkable trip.
“Long story short, we were with a youth group and went coast to coast — Ocean Shores, Washington to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware — in 1976, America’s Bicentennial year,” Ed explained. “It was an amazing 3,463 mile journey on bicycles and ended right on the boardwalk in Rehoboth where we all jumped into the ocean on August 10, 1976. Yes, I have photos.”
And those photos tell quite a story — capturing a group of joyful cyclists at the water’s edge, with the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk and shoreline of 1976 serving as a vivid backdrop.
The city decided to go beyond a simple written response. On a sunny morning, Mayor Mills and Brooke made their way down to the beach — to the very spot where those riders had splashed into the Atlantic five decades earlier — and recorded a video message to be played at the reunion.
The reunion itself took place this past weekend, drawing 18 of the original bike riders along with several staff members from the 1976 trip. The group gathered at Stakenas Farm in Scottville, Michigan, for a picnic filled with stories, memorabilia, and songs. Some attendees even showed up still wearing their shirts from the original ride. The group received 10 letters from locations across the country, including messages from four mayors — but the one video greeting came from Rehoboth Beach.
Ed reported afterward that the event “exceeded expectations and was fantastic,” adding that “everyone loved Mayor Mills’ video.”
The City of Rehoboth Beach said it was thrilled to play a part in the celebration and to revisit those vintage images of the beach and boardwalk as they appeared back in 1976.
