Registration is now open for the 2016 LHT Full Moon Bike Ride, sponsored by the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, the northeastern most segment of the 750-mile Circuit Coalition, and the Mercer County Park Commission. The annual bicycle event takes place on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 (with a rain date of September 18) in Mercer Meadows and is open to adults and youngsters aged 12 and up.
This is the third year in a row for this six-mile, nighttime excursion that is expected to attract hundreds of cyclists. The ride will begin at Rosedale Park parking lot off Federal City Road at 9:30 p.m. and will take cyclists through Maidenhead Trail, on to the Twin Pines Trail and then back to Rosedale Park. The ride is expected to take about 45 minutes to complete. For those unfamiliar with the area, the starting point can be found at https://goo.gl/maps/zgFdbqxgeAN2.
“Considering the success of the Full Moon rides in previous years and the anticipated high turnout for this year’s event, we are encouraging participants to pre-register using our online registration process,” said Jay Watson, LHT board member and curator of the Full Moon Ride. “We are hoping that this process will shorten the time spent on the preliminaries so we can enjoy our moonlit ride through the meadows and woods.”
Riders are encouraged to decorate their bikes to add to the fun. There will be a limited number of glow sticks available to participants to light up their bikes and bicycle headlights are recommended for additional safety. Helmets are required. Ice cream vendors will be on hand selling their frozen concoctions.
Cyclists will pay $10 per single rider or $20 per family. Payment can be made via PayPal as part of the online registration process.
“Funds collected from the registration will go directly toward continued construction of the LHT as well as ongoing trail maintenance. We hope to offset costs associated with constructing our scenic biking and walking trails with more events like this in the future,” said Eleanor Horne, co-president of the LHT. “After all, the LHT is the creation of a non-profit organization which has been supported by generous donations from individuals, businesses and corporate givers.”
“Really cool Full Moon Ride t-shirts are being offered in another fundraising effort,” added Becky Taylor, co-president of the LHT. “Our goal is to create a different design every year so the t-shirts become collectible items from each year’s event.”
The t-shirts boast a trendy bike-and-nature-themed mandala design, with yellow on choice of either purple or dark blue fabric that gives nod to the nighttime setting of the event. They will be priced at $10 each. For a preview of the shirt design, click this link http://goo.gl/NzuBHU.
“We are very pleased to join with the Lawrence Hopewell Trail for the third year in a row, welcoming bicycling enthusiasts to our 1,600 acre park, which features scenic biking and walking opportunities through meadows and woodlands,” said Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes.
For weather-related changes in event status, please visit the LHT website on SEPTEMBER 17 after 6 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the event please email [email protected].
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT)is a 22-mile bicycle and pedestrian recreational trail and transportation corridor through public and private lands in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships, Mercer County, N.J. The idea for the LHT grew out of a commitment to improving the quality of life for all who live or work in the region. The LHT supports an active, livable and sustainable community with alternative forms of transportation to reduce the reliance on automobiles. It also promotes health and fitness, recreation and outdoor education. The LHT is a key member of the Circuit Coalition, a 750-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting people to jobs, communities, and parks in the Greater Philadelphia Region. For more information, please visit www.lhtrail.org.
The Mercer County Park Commission manages diverse offerings within its more than 10,000 acres of parks, recreational facilities, and open space throughout Mercer County. Mercer Meadows, where the Full Moon Bike Ride will take place, consists of more than 1,600 acres, divided among five separate districts. Miles of mowed and gravel trails provide visitors and their families with scenic walking and biking routes through the meadows and woodland. Fishing is a popular activity at the park’s four water bodies. For more information, please visit www.mercercountyparks.org.
NOTE: Publisher Mary Galioto is proud to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.
