The Moonlight Ramble

fun ride, but could be more fun if people would learn to keep to the right when they are riding slowly

A shitload of bicyclists meet to ride through the city. And it’s for charity.
I quit paying the donation after I learned last year that I could join the ride at any point. The shirts you get and the after party are worth the admission, though.
I gotta say that this year’s route was a little half-​assed. It was great until we hit River City Casino Blvd. This area of the city is butt-​ugly.

I love the Moonlight Ramble!
This is a fun experience for bike riders of any experience level or age. During this one night a year the city of St. Louis closes down a track of road, in the middle of the night, for thousands of bicyclists. It is definitely a sight to see. Another bonus is that it benefits hosteling international. So, if you ever partake in the super wonderful and cheap hostels around this globe, put your hand in your pocket and donate to keep them rad!
My only concern is that a couple of folks got hit by a mad drunken driver who decided that the road blocks were not meant for him. I do hope they chose to never put the route in front of a bar again.

Talk about writing a review WAY after the fact. The moonlight ramble was at the end of August, and I’m just now writing a review. I know… bad Stephanie. I procrastinate like CRAZY sometimes.
Anyway, this was the most fun I’ve had on a bike EVER. Seriously. Thousands of people riding their bikes through the city at midnight? Where do I sign up?
It was an absolute BLAST. And if 14 miles seems like a long way to ride (it’s really not, though!), there’s a shorter 7 mile route.
I dressed up as a fairy. My boyfriend dressed up as a superhero. I highly recommend dressing up. Not many people do (although I did see a few pirates here and there, as well as a woman who decorated her entire bike in a flamingo get-​up), but you really should. Maybe I’m just an attention whore, but hearing people shout out ‘hey fairy!!’ all night was a lot of fun.
A ticket is $ 25, but it’s worth it. You get a t-​shirt, and a free moonpie and beer at the end of the ride.
I agree wtih the other reviewer who recommended wearing a helmet. Lots of amateur riders = NO BIKE ETIQUETTE at all. No ‘on your left’ shout or ANYTHING. There was one particularly nasty accident near the end of the ride that maybe could have been avoided if more people used common sense and etiquette. So wear a helmet. And watch your surroundings.
I cannot recommend this ride enough. 2009 was my first year riding, but you can bet I’ll be there year after year.
And yes, I’ll be dressed as a fairy!

Thousands of people riding their bikes all over the City of St. Louis! That kind of fun can’t be beat.
Here are a few tips: WEAR A HELMET. I usually don’t ride with one when I’m peddling through my neighborhood, but it’s apparently mandatory on this ride. (No one really enforced that rule.) But it makes sense. There’s a ton of people on this ride who are not familiar with cycling etiquette and allow thoughts of mass bicycle crashes. I really didn’t see any heinous crashes, but the potential is there.
There are some cycling shops available to help you with your bike if it needs work. Helmets First, a non profit organization was also available to sell donated helmets to the lidless.
Another tip: attach a light onto the back of your bike, and I strongly suggest getting a head lamp, or head light. This year’s ride took participants through Forest Park, which is lit, but in my opinion, not lit enough.
It’s really cool seeing so many people embrace the bicycle, as well as a ride that draws so many people. The «after party» was fun, but could have done with a better band, especially with a $ 25 entrance fee.
If you decide to go next year, bring a boom box. That would make you a popular person.