Image by Herkie via Flickr

The streets of St. Louis will be swarming with bicycles at midnight on August 21-22 during the 47^th annual Moonlight Ramble. This year’s 19 mile route will take place under an almost full moon and start in Forest Park. The exact route is kept a secret until the day of the ride.

A short 9 mile route is also offered for riders who aren’t in condition for the full ride. Price is the same!

Moonlight Ramble tickets are available online, at a few area bike shops, and at the event site. This year the Ramble is also hosting several sign up parties. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for Scouts and teens, and $10 for kids under 10. Everyone gets a wristband to show they’ve paid, a glow in the dark t-shirt and access to the Vender Village and after-party freebies.  (Ticket proceeds benefit the Gateway Council of Hostelling International.)

The ramble is a family friendly event—you’ll see lots of kids despite the late hour. First time riders should be warned that the Moonlight Ramble attracts about 10,000 bikes every year. The event can get pretty crowded and bikes are packed tightly during the first few blocks. But the ridesr quickly spread out with the faster bikers sprinting ahead and the slower riders drifting to the back. After the first 15 minutes of peddling you can expect a carefree ride through the streets of St. Louis.

The ride is very safe. Police close off streets for the ride from midnight to 3am and both police and volunteers watch over intersections to direct traffic. The Moonlight Ramble also has SAG vans that patrol the route to help riders with bike problems or injuries. A mid route stop provides a place for riders to rest, get some water and have bathroom break.

For more info contact:
Coordinator: Chris Wells, 314-644-4660 or clerk@moonlightramble.com
Website: www.moonlightramble.org for more details and ticket locations

Related articles by Zemanta

• St. Louis Staycation: Top 5 totally free places to take the kids this summer (examiner.com)
• St. Louis Zoo (pitstopsforkids.com)
• Biking and giving go hand in hand (duvine.com)
• Cyclists dare to ride bare (upi.com)