Moonlight Bike Ride/Walk 2011

More photos from the 2011 Moonlight Bike Ride/Walk can be found here.

All week we kept an anxious eye on the weather forecasts. First storms were predicted, then the storms were supposed to be over by Saturday morning, then Friday night. With a predicted high of not quite 60F, it could be a chilly ride. But the sun shone and it was really very nice for the ride and walk!

The snow flurries that morning, however, seemed to have scared off a few people. The turnout was all right, but we had all hoped for more. Still, a crowd of around 20 or 25 headed out for the walk, and another crowd of 20 or 25 followed on bikes. The sun shone for most of the "Moonlight" ride/walk, with the moon high in the sky. The final riders and walkers trailed in in the dusk.

One new rider reported that this ride was her longest ride ever. Perhaps to an experienced cyclist, 6 miles is hardly worth riding, but I am thrilled that she was able to start her cycling on this fun event. If we walked or biked for most of our errands less than 3 miles away, we could make such a difference in our health, and never need to bike more than 6 miles at a time.

As we left for home, our bike lights blazed in the full dark. My orange downlow glow, rainbow colored monkey lights, blinking white and red realights, and a hub-generator-powered headlamp lit up like a Christmas tree.

I hope the Moonlight Bike Ride/Walk will be an annual event, and that we'll be able to find a weather-accommodating time for it!