These 2 Naval Academy grads with Wisconsin ties are cycling across America
Two riders with Wisconsin ties are on a bicycle trip of a lifetime.
Mike Kohrs of Sun Prairie and Bill Murray, who grew up in Beloit and whose parents live in Brookfield, have joined other members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1983 in a 40th reunion ride across America.
They're traveling from Washington's Puget Sound region to the banks of the Severn River at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
It's a 44-stop, 3,423-mile journey to raise awareness and funds for other veterans.
And it's also shaping up to be a good time for a "bunch of old goats" who are cycling together, as the group explains on the webpage Navy '83 Ride Across America.
"When we’re together and out there on bikes I sure don’t feel 62. I feel 25," said Murray, who served five years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear engineer on a surface ship.
A physician who now lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, Murray added, "We have a special relationship all of us, even if we didn’t know each other in class. We all went through the same crucible."
They survived the rigors of the academy, served their country and are continuing to live their best lives.
"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to the academy and serve with these people for America," said Kohrs, 63, a retired helicopter pilot who served 12 years in the Navy and another stint in the Army National Guard in Madison. "It has just been a privilege. This is a great way to reacquaint and spend time with each other and not have the pressure of the academy."
The genesis of the ride came during the 35th class reunion when a classmate suggested "doing something epic" for the 40th reunion, crossing the country on bicycle.
"A lot of people said, 'yeah that’s a great idea but nobody would be stupid enough to do it,' " Kohrs said.
Five years later, the ride is underway.
It began Aug. 23 with the participants dipping their rear bicycle tires into the Salish Sea at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.
They won't be passing through Wisconsin, although they will be riding through Iowa and Illinois.
They are due to complete the journey Oct. 5 at the U.S. Naval Academy, just in time for the class of 1983 reunion.
In all, more than 70 cyclists will ride some portion of the route while 16, including Kohrs and Murray, will attempt to complete the full trip.
They're riding to support veterans through nearly two dozen charities including Fisher House Foundation, Naval Services FamilyLine and Wounded Warrior Project.
Murray is riding for the Gary Sinise Foundation while Kohrs is riding for the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Foundation.
The group's 10-year goal is to raise $1,983,000. And they're off to a good start, already raising more than $200,000.
During a recent stop in Missoula, Montana, the men reflected on what they had already seen on the road, and what was to come.
Murray said he was overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the country.
"Getting up into the North Cascades National Park, these majestic peaks," Murray said. "We are becoming one with it. We’re working hard to get up in those peaks to see them better. The second day we climbed a total of 7,000 feet. It was exhilarating."
Kohrs said "every day, every 50 miles or so, the scenery changes. I mean, America is so beautiful. We're so fortunate."
At the stops each night, Kohrs said the group invariably meets other veterans "who have a story."
"It’s just fantastic to see so many people out there that have served," he said. "It makes us very thankful we can be a part of this."
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These 2 Navy veterans with Wisconsin ties are cycling across America
