TORRINGTON – A calm, almost angelic sort of atmosphere came over Torrington early Thursday evening.

After perhaps the warmest day of the year thus far, the temperature began to cool off as a light breeze accompanied by a gorgeous spring sunset cast over the early evening sky.

Local small-town traffic began to thin out as residents finished making their way home to hopefully sit and relax for one more weekday night; no doubt the anticipation of Friday lay heavy on everyone’s mind.

With a long cold winter finally in the rearview mirror, dozens of locals could be seen outside enjoying such a beautiful evening. An older couple holding hands walking on the sidewalk, a young energized runner pushing their strong legs harder and harder; maybe even a father of five taking advantage of the weather to get the lawn mowed. 

After all, why do it on the weekend when one could get it done now on such an unspoiled night as this?

In the midst of everyone enjoying what seemed like such a heavenly evening, two cyclists could be seen on the highway headed into Torrington from Scottsbluff.

Wow, not a bad idea for a couple of young riders. A thirty-mile bike ride on an almost perfect evening? Ambitious yes, but absolutely doable for a pair of young athletes.

For this evening anyways.

The two cyclists headed into Torrington Thursday night were actually German cyclists Antonia Staacke (27) and Laura Moller (28), two college students currently attending the University of Gottingen with an emphasis on geography and English with future ambitions of teaching; possibly even working in renewable energy.

The journey however did not start in Scottsbluff. The two young ladies actually began their journey in Argentina in October of 2022 with a final destination goal of hopefully reaching Anchorage, Alaska by August 3.

While being hosted for the night by Goshen County Public Health Nurse Manager, Kara Palfy, both Staacke and Moller happily spoke with the Telegram briefly about where the idea came about for such a massive excursion.

Despite having gone several dozen miles over the course of the day, both young ladies remained charming and energized still in discussing their trip.

“We have always loved cycling in Germany,” Moller said with a grin. “We have gone on many short adventures together, but one day Antonia asked me if I would like to go on a big adventure. So that’s how this whole idea came about.”

While both ladies still have a long way to go on a pathway totaling well over 8,300 miles, the purpose of the trip is pure and simple.

“The whole point was to raise much-needed funding for the World Bicycle Relief,” Moller added. “Interestingly enough, our funding goal has actually already been reached!”

Both riders laughed at the irony of having achieved the initial goal long and well before the finish line. Three thousand fifty miles to be exact.

“We will take a short rest in Torrington tonight, and the goal will be to reach Lusk at some point tomorrow. We will then keep going until we reach Anchorage. That’s the final goal anyways as our flight back to Germany from Alaska is on August 3. So, we are going to have to make it.”

Both cyclists then graciously took their host’s kind offer to provide one night of food and lodging before continuing with their incredible expedition early the next morning.

For more information, feel free to visit www.longest-ride.org.