Local resident and veteran cyclist Mike Perry marked his 80th year on October 8 by riding 100 miles across the Grand Valley, raising more than $14,000 for youth scholarships at the EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum. This latest effort has pushed Perry’s cumulative fundraising total for EUREKA! youth scholarships to $102,675.
Perry, who had initially planned to ride 80 miles for his 80th birthday, exceeded his goal, logging a full 100 miles. The funds he raised directly benefit local families by providing need-based scholarships for children to attend EUREKA!’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) camps, programs, and field trips.
Perry explained his motivation, stating, “What this organization is doing to help kids in our area is incredible, and I wanted to do something to add my support.” He added that the fundraising was intended to ensure every child had the opportunity to attend EUREKA!’s many hands-on science camps.
Perry credited his wife, Sandy, for her critical support throughout the ride, noting she provided encouragement and companionship. He said he and Sandy were “blessed to give back in some way” to help children.
Jenn Moore, executive director of EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum, praised Perry’s commitment. “Mike’s dedication, grit and generosity are nothing short of inspiring,” Moore said. She noted that riding 100 miles at age 80 is a significant achievement on its own, but channeling that energy into creating opportunities for local children is extraordinary. Moore added that Perry’s efforts would allow hundreds of local children to experience hands-on science education and discovery “they otherwise might not have been able to afford.”
Perry’s cross-country cycling journey began in the late 1990s while living in The Dalles, Oregon. Inspired by an article about a couple who rode across the United States, he started by ceremoniously dipping his rear wheel into the Pacific Ocean at Fort Stevens, Oregon, on a modified first-generation Trek mountain bike. This marked the beginning of a multi-decade quest to ride across America in segments. Throughout his career, including a long tenure as executive director of the Museums of Western Colorado, and other life commitments, Perry consistently returned to the open road, documenting his travels in a daily blog.
In 2020, Perry decided to turn his personal cross-country journey into a community mission. He rode across Nebraska along the historic Lincoln Highway to raise money for EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum’s summer camp scholarships. That initial campaign raised more than $88,000 for local children, setting the stage for his continued efforts and his latest Grand Valley ride for his 80th birthday year.
