50 Years Later: Rehoboth Beach Bikers Reunite

July 10, 2026

Back in April, City of Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills received the following email:

    Hello Mayor Mills:  

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!

To commemorate this 50th year since our trip, we are holding a reunion July 5 in Western Michigan where our group departed on this memorable trip. 

So, I am wondering if you could drop us a short email or letter of some type that can be read at the reunion since we all have such fond memories of concluding this memorable trip in Rehoboth Beach. It would be great to hear from the mayor in 1976 too if still around. 

Thank you for your consideration,                                                

Edward Kruska                                                                                                                                                

Mayor Mills shared the email with Communications Director Brooke Thaler, who then reached out to Ed and got more information on the 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,” said Ed. “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).”

The photos show not only a group of very happy bikers ready to jump into the ocean, but also perfectly captured the backdrop of Rehoboth Beach that day in 1976.

Of course, the City planned to fulfill Ed’s request for his reunion but decided to have a bit more fun with it. One sunny morning, Mayor Mills and Brooke walked down to the beach, in the same spot where the bikers entered the water that day and filmed a video greeting to be played at the reunion.

That reunion was held this past weekend, with 18 bike riders and a few staff from the 1976 group in attendance. They gathered at Stakenas Farm in Scottville, MI, for a picnic, and shared memorabilia, stories and a few songs. Some even wore their shirts from the bike ride! They received 10 letters from coast to coast, including four mayors, and one video – from Rehoboth. Ed reports “it exceeded expectations and was fantastic. Everyone loved Mayor Mills’ video.”

On behalf of the City of Rehoboth Beach, we were thrilled to be included, and to look at the photos of this exciting event, with our 1976-era beach and boardwalk in the background.

Thank you to Ed for reaching out!