It was one of those chilly, rainy, windy spring afternoons, and all was quiet at the bike shop. I was looking through the many brochures that cover so many of the cycling events around the region, and came upon the N.I.T.E. Ride on June 25th at 11 PM. This year the event which is held in Indianapolis will be held at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. This ride allows the participant a unique experience, an “exciting” ride and a PARTY!
Looking further down the brochure rack, I found the L.A.T.E. Ride that is held in Chicago on July 9/10. The brochure urges us to join 9,000 bicyclists for Chicago’s biggest nighttime ride, to cycle past downtown skyscrapers, experience the lakefront path under the stars, explore new neighborhoods, hear live music before the ride, and to enjoy snacks before, during and after the ride. Participation in this ride directly supports “Friends of the Parks’’ in the city of Chicago.
There is another ride for which I did not find a brochure. This one is the closest to home, and benefits The Conservation Foundation.
This is the ride I would encourage you to get involved in – either as a rider or as a volunteer. It is called Chase the Moon Moonlight Bike Ride. Each year on the scheduled day of this event, as the clock strikes midnight a throng of excited bicyclists’ put their pedals to work for conservation. This year the ride takes place on July 31st into August 1st. with a pre-ride party at 10 pm with the bike ride starting at 12:00 am. And this year the ride will begin right here in Warrenville at the Warrenville Commons Shopping Center at the NE corner of Rt. 59 and Batavia Road. The event raised $20,000 for the Conservation Foundation last year.
The ride will give participants to travel the typically limited access roads of Fermilab traveling at their own pace under a star filled sky. The ride is NOT A RACE, and the length of the route is determined by the will of your legs. Some will ride the full 25 miles while others can choose a shortened route. All riders will be served a “healthy breakfast” at the end of the ride.
If you are not interested in being a participant, perhaps you might consider being a volunteer. There are numerous ways to help make this ride a success. For more details – to register to ride or to volunteer in some way – visit www;theconversationfoundation.org/events/chasethemoon-bike- ride.html or www.chasethemoon.com