More than 2,000 expected to participate in July 13 nighttime bike ride

Registration has opened for the fourth annual OwL Ride, Omaha's nighttime urban cycling adventure. The unique recreational bike ride set for Saturday, July 13 is the largest annual night bicycle ride between Chicago and Denver.

Log on to owlride.org to register and find more information. The cost to register is $30 for riders 19 and older, $10 for 18 and under when registering with an adult.  

This year’s ride offers bikers a choice of courses, a family-friendly 7-mile short course and 16-mile extended route, making the OwL Ride a fun and active experience for riders of all ages. This year’s ride also features a new starting point, the Old Mattress Factory in north downtown Omaha, and a new earlier 10 p.m. start time.

There will be both pre- and post-ride entertainment and the annual Bright Bikes bike decorating contest, adding to the unique atmosphere that helped attract 2,400 riders in 2012. Even more are expected this year.

The ride benefits the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities, which supports much-needed services for adults with disabilities in the Omaha metro area. Thanks to the proceeds from the OwL Ride, MFD in recent years has been able to significantly expand available programming for the disabled, including sponsorship of regular social outings, dances, cooking classes and reading clubs.

Many of the programs are offered through the professional staff of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, a renowned service provider in our area. Go to omahadisabilities.org to learn more about MFD's work and mission.

Munroe-Meyer Institute is committed to unlocking the potential of children and adults with developmental disabilities and genetic disorders through exceptional patient care, education and research. MMI health care providers annually diagnose and treat more than 10,000 children and adults with special needs.

 Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.