Citizens of Valparaiso and surrounding towns grabbed their brightest lights and decorated their bicycle for the 2021 Valparaiso Night Ride that was held by Valpo Parks.
Bikers from around the community met, checked in, and registered in the pavilion in Central Park Plaza and picked up their t-shirt, lights for their bike and themselves, and a map of the route as well.
What started off with three hours of a “pre-party” that was known as the Bike Bash consisted of nonstop DJ music accompanied by Arrested Sounds DJ, good food by Kona Ice and Trailside, face painting, bicycle safety and helmet try-on’s “Kids Safe Worldwide” from Franciscan Health in Crown Point, a bicycle obstacle course for the children, and all cycling needs from Leo’s Mobile Bike Service – ended the night with a 10-mile bike ride throughout the beautiful night life around Valparaiso.
“This is kind of a unique thing when you see a different vantage point of the city when riding at night compared to the day,” said Dan McGuire, Superintendent of Facilities and Events at Valpo Parks. “You don't see the different kinds of lights or the different parts of the neighborhoods that are lit up. There’s just some kind of beauty to it with being at night.”
Not only did the riders enjoy the Bike Bash, but the community did as well as it was free and open to the public. Many walking by stopped by and enjoyed a snow cone and watched the riders dance to the Cha-Cha Slide.
The Bike Bash was a new addition to the Valpo Night Ride, as this is the first year it has been done. But this year, which is totally new for the Valpo Night Ride, is the location which starts and ends right at the heart of downtown Valparaiso – Central Park Plaza, where in previous years it was held at Butterfield Park.
One of the reasons Valpo Night Ride stands out from its other bike rides in its community is besides the obvious fact of its during nighttime – it is a leisurely ride and not a race, riders get to decorate their bikes and you ride throughout the streets and not on trails.
The Valpo Parks held a raffle as well and the winners would win 500 dollars worth of biking equipment that was donated from the biking community. Valpo Parks also held a contest to encourage the riders to decorate their bike with a “Best Decorated/Light Bike” contest where the winners earned a $100 gift card to Peddler's Pizza.
But the numbers keep growing. Valpo Parks surpassed last year's numbers by 100 and they anticipate the numbers to keep growing year by year.
“So right away we have a huge increase and I think part of that is just because we have the younger families that are jumping in and supporting it,” said Cristina Darr, Director of Special Events for Valpo Parks. “When you start something new, you have to get the word out, but I'm happy with the crowd that we have and everyone's giving really positive feedback so far.”
As this was a closed event, riders rode safely and cautiously. Emergency personnel escorted them along the way as police officers took the lead of the group riding bikes themselves as well.
The community loves this bike ride. It’s been a big success for family, friends, youth and even the seniors.
If you missed out on the fun, visit https://www.valpoparks.org/214/Valpo-Night-Ride to stay updated with all things Valpo Parks and Night Ride-related.
