11/16/2024 – The Class of 1975 Gulf to Goat Bicycle Ride Charity Fundraising Support page is now open. Show your support by donating in both 2024 and 2025. Giving to multiple (even all) charities is encouraged.
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(Class email Blast sent 2/10/24)
Please see the note below from Mike Meier and Dan Murphy. If you are interested in joining them in a Gulf to Goat charity ride ending in Annapolis as we start our 50th reunion weekend, please contact them directly regarding your interest.
Chris “Chick”
Classmates, Are you out there 75 ?!!
As we all know, our 50th reunion is coming up quickly. During a happy hour discussion one day last Fall, a couple of us agreed that in addition to all the great things being done for the 50th, it was time to get serious about doing something as a band of brothers to highlight USNA ’75 and raise money for a charity or good cause close to some of our classmates, all while having a great experience. We were somewhat inspired by USNA ’73 & ‘83 and their bike ride across America last Fall, and their challenge to future classes coming up on their milestone reunions. After several discussions (and more happy hours) we came up with, what we think, is a little more practical ride that will provide a great experience without having to cross the entire continent. Thus, the concept for the Gulf to Goat 1160-mile charity bike ride from Apalachicola, Florida to the Bill the Goat statue inside Gate 1 at the Academy. Our classmate Mark Milliken, an esteemed resident of Apalachicola, has offered to provide a grand send off for us on October 1, 2025.
The 23-day adventure, mostly up the east coast, will bring us in to the Academy right before the activities of our 50th reunion. We have paired up with the company BIKEternity (www.BIKEternity.com) for our ride. Arlen Hall, Operations Director for BIKEternity, has extensive experience with group cross country rides and is very much looking forward to being our Lead Guide/Chaperone/Adult Supervision. We felt by utilizing a professional bike touring guide service we could enhance the safety, planning and route efficiency while we could focus on preparing ourselves and concentrate on how we can utilize the ride to help raise money and awareness for selected charities close to the hearts of our classmates. More on this later.
We are now seeking out other like-minded classmates who would be interested in joining our once in a lifetime adventure….a bike ride from the Gulf of Mexico to USNA. Along with this invitation we have included the tour package from BIKEternity.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZHXNSsUGB4OepvLHWwtk74M8ujrkj6H-TJasGVCJOdE/edit?usp=sharing
We are asking that if you are interested to please look at the package, give it some serious thought and reach out to either one of us with questions. The deposits will be due this summer but commitments, even expressions of intent are welcome anytime.
Mike and Murph
Mike Meier (906) 287-0549 mdmeier75@gmail.com
Dan Murphy (972) 822-0561 maggie9982@sbcglobal.net