Wellness Wednesday – OwL Ride

OwL Ride (Photo courtesy D. McQuade)

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.

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 (Omaha With Lights) Ride, the foundation 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 UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, a renowned service provider in our area. Learn more about the Meyer Foundation’s work and mission.