Registration open for Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride, will feature new 28-mile course option

RICHMOND, VA – Registration is now open for the Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride, which will take place on Saturday, August 24. This year’s ride will feature a new 28-mile supported ride option that kicks off at 5:00pm, followed by the family-friendly three-mile course ride at 8:00pm and the eight-mile course ride at 8:15 pm.

The casual nighttime bike ride has grown into one of Richmond’s favorite cycling events, and 2019 marks the 11th year of the ride. The Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride takes riders on a scenic course that goes through Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Lakeside, Bryan Park, and Scott’s Addition before finishing at Sports Backers Stadium with a street-festival style celebration for participants.

The new 28-mile ride will take place on an open course with police support at intersections, aid stations throughout the course, a 2.5-hour time limit, and a minimum age of 16 for participants. The route will travel through Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Lakeside, Bryan Park, Glen Allen, and Elmont before returning to Sports Backers Stadium. Participants will also have the option to take part in the new Supernova Challenge by completing both the 28-mile course and the eight-mile Full Course Ride. Supernova riders will receive a special challenge bib and unique finisher medal.

Both the eight-mile course and three-mile course will once again be closed to vehicle traffic, and the eight-mile course will also feature a new Party Stop at the Lakeside Farmers Market that is presented by the Canopy at Ginter Park apartment community. The three-mile option will provide a great opportunity for families to enjoy a shorter course alternative, closed to vehicle traffic, at a relaxed pace, before heading back to the finish area for the Agee’s Post-Ride Party. The minimum age for participants in the three-mile course ride is five years old, while the minimum age for the full, eight-mile course is eight years old, though child seats and bike trailers are permitted in both distances for children under those ages.

Agee’s Post Ride Party to Feature New Food Lion Family Zone

Participants completing the courses will be welcomed back into the Agee’s Post Ride Party, which will feature food, drinks, interactive vendor booths, and entertainment from DJs to help celebrate their achievement. The post-ride party will also include the newly-created Food Lion Family Zone, featuring face painting, supplies for making your own finisher medal, yard games, and other family activities.

“The Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride serves as a celebration of cycling in the Richmond region, and demonstrates the fun and excitement of biking with friends and family,” said Meghan Keogh, event director for Sports Backers. “It highlights the possibilities of bike riding for fitness, recreation, and transportation, and we are looking forward to another great event to help show off the best of active living in the Richmond region.”

Bike Walk RVA to Serve as Official Event Charity

The official event charity for the Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride is Bike Walk RVA, an advocacy program committed to making the Richmond area more bike and pedestrian friendly. Bike Walk RVA works to encourage the construction of more paved multi-use trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes in the Richmond region, as well as to improve and expand the off-road trail systems in the region. Bike Walk RVA recently completed their sixth edition of RVA Bike Month, which featured over 50 events around the region for people of all ages.

Registration fees for the 28-mile course are currently $50, while fees for the eight-mile and two-mile course are $30. Special pricing is also available for youth aged 5-14 years old at a cost of $15. There is a $5 price increase set for all rides on July 16. Children under the age of five do not need to be registered, but their parent or guardian must complete a waiver to have them take part as passengers in an approved child seat or bike trailer.

For registration and more event details, please visit www.sportsbackers.org.

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About Virginia Credit Union
A financial cooperative serving more than 280,000 members, Virginia Credit Union offers a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union is an equal housing opportunity lender and is federally insured by NCUA.

About Sports Backers
With a key message of Let’s Go, RVA, the mission of Sports Backers is to inspire people from all corners of our community to live actively. A non-profit organization, Sports Backers is dedicated to producing nationally recognized quality sporting events and programs that motivate residents and visitors alike to be more active, supporting youth running and fitness programs, and advocating for safe and connected networks of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Learn more at www.sportsbackers.org.