This Saturday, July 14th, kicks off the 3rd annual Owl Ride. The Owl Ride is Omaha’s nighttime urban cycling adventure. This is the biggest night time bike ride between Chicago and Denver and almost 2,000 people rode last year and the event planner are expecting an even bigger turnout for the Owl Ride for 2012.
The 16 mile ride starts at Lewis and Clark Landing at 11 o’clock p.m. and runs through Downtown, Midtown, Dundee, Aksarben, Field Club and Old Market neighborhoods, with a shortcut available to create a 7-mile ride.
Participants see Omaha in a way they have never seen before, not only do they bike instead of drive a car but they don’t have the typical head lights to guide their way. They will be guided by the moon, Omaha’s trustee street lights and the shining lights of their own bike’s. Yes at the annual Owl Ride folks “pimp” their rides with Christmas lights and other bright bulbs to make them shine like the top of the Chrysler Building.
The Owl Ride is non-competitive but both casual and serious riders of all ages and all skill levels come out to the fun-filled night-time trek. The ride is a benefit for the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities (http://www.omahadisabilities.org/), serving adult disabled people in the greater Omaha metro. The Meyer Foundation assists adults with disabilities participate in recreational and social activities.
To register for the Owl Ride before the event begins fees are $30 per individual and $60 for a family. Click http://owlride.org/registration/ to go to their registration page and register for Saturday’s event or there is an option to register the day of the event for an increased cost.
All bike riders are required to wear helmets and state law also requires anyone riding at night to have both a front light and rear reflectors. The Owl ride’s sponsors offer discounts on helmets and lights. See the Owl Ride website (http://owlrido/e.org/event-inf) and Safety Page (http://owlride.org/safety/) for further information.
Don’t sit in the A/C like a couch potato this weekend watching old movies on Netflix. Get out and do something with the family. The sun will be down and you can enjoy the city like you never have. Decorate those bikes with as many lights as you can and show Omaha what you have.
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