Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride Returns to In-Person Format on Oct. 2
Multiple course options available for participants in 2021
RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride will return to its traditional in-person format on Saturday, October 2nd, Sports Backers announced today. Registration is now open at www.sportsbackers.org, and the event features an eight-mile Full Course option and a three-mile Family Ride option. The Family Ride will start at 7:30 p.m. and the Full Course ride gets underway at 8 p.m.
Scenic Course Includes Lakeside, Bryan Park, and Scott’s Addition
The casual nighttime bike ride has grown into one of Richmond’s favorite cycling events, and 2021 marks the 13th year of the ride. The Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride takes riders on a scenic course that goes through Lakeside, Bryan Park, and Scott’s Addition before finishing at Sports Backers Stadium with a street-festival style celebration for participants.
“We are very pleased to return to an in-person format for the popular Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride,” said Glenn Birch, the credit union’s director of public and media relations. “The event brings cyclists together for a fun nighttime event, and supports the work of Bike Walk RVA to promote activity and safety for bicyclists and walkers in our community.”
Moonlight Ride Courses Closed to Vehicle Traffic
Both the eight-mile Full Course and three-mile Family Ride Course will be closed to vehicle traffic, and the Full Course will also feature a Party Stop at the Lakeside Farmers Market. The three-mile option will provide a great opportunity for families to enjoy a shorter course alternative, closed to vehicle traffic and at a relaxed pace, before heading back to the finish area. 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.
Participants completing the courses will be welcomed back into the event’s Post-Ride Party, which will feature food, drinks, interactive vendor booths, and entertainment from DJs to help celebrate their achievement. The Food Lion Family Zone is also part of the Post-Ride Party. It will offer 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, Director of Events for Sports Backers. “We are really looking forward to returning to the traditional in-person format of the event and highlighting the possibilities of bike riding for fitness, recreation, and transportation.”
Approved Child Seats and Bike Trailers Allowed on Courses
Registration fees for the for the eight-mile and three-mile courses are $32 for adults and $22 for youth age 5-14. Children
under the age of 5 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. Participants have the opportunity to donate to Bike Walk RVA during the event registration process. Registration for the Virginia Credit Moonlight Ride includes the following:
- Event t-shirt
- Red rear bike light
- On-course aid station
- Goodie bag
- Post-race soft pretzel and ice cream
- Beer (bring your ID!) or soft drink
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 is a program of Sports Backers that advocates for comfortable and connected places to bike and walk for people of all ages and abilities. Protected bike lanes, paved shared-use paths, safe intersections, and calm neighborhood streets have been proven to get people biking and walking on a regular basis.
Bike Walk RVA is taking a leading advocacy role in the creation of the Fall Line trail, a 43-mile paved multi-use trail that will run between Ashland and Petersburg. The course for the Virginia Credit Union Moonlight Ride will follow several sections of the proposed alignment for the Fall Line trail.
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 300,000 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.