What is the Moonlight Loop?
The Moonlight Loop is a leisurely 19-mile evening bike ride around scenic Columbus, Indiana - passing several architectural gems along the way.
When is it?
Saturday, August 22, 2026 - 9:00 PM EDT
Please Note: Because this is a night ride - this is NOT a race, (cyclists primarily travel together as a group) and everyone will depart the start line at 9:00pm, (so be there, be ready & plan pre-ride bathroom breaks accordingly).
Where is it?
The ride begins and ends in front of the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza at 536 Fifth Street, Columbus, Indiana.
Who benefits from the ride?
The Moonlight Loop is a fundraiser for Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS). Proceeds generated from the event go directly to FCAC's Adoption Medical Fund. This fund covers the cost of providing veterinary treatment, medicine, spay/neuter services and pet food for animals awaiting adoption in the Columbus Animal Care Services(CACS) facility, as well as those in foster care.
WHY should you ride?
Because you get a really cool glow-in-the-dark T-shirt! (Note: You need to register by August 1 to be guaranteed a T-shirt in your size.)
Of course, the funds raised by the Moonlight Loop are supporting a great cause, and doing a bike ride at night is a lot of fun!
Registration on the Day of the Event
On race day, August 22, participants must register in person at the event.
The 'Day of' Registration Fee is $45.
*Online registrations close at 11:59pm on August 21, 2026.
Registration fees
Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.
Moonlight Loop
Price changes in 1 month 27 days-
-
Register for Moonlight Loop$39.05
$35.00 + Processing
Now registering Mar 1 – Jun 30 -
$44.35
$40.00 + Processing
Jun 30 – Aug 21
-
Light Up Your Bike, Light Up The Night Contest
To assist us with being "seen", and to simply have fun, prizes will be offered for the most creative and well-lit bicycles (and riders). Feel free to go crazy with your lights on your bikes... just remember not to blind yourself with your glow! Contest will be held at 8:30pm, prior to ride start.
Route
The 19-mile ride is a loop that begins and ends in the front of the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza. The route starts by heading east & then north to the SAG stop at the Columbus Learning Center (approximately the half-way point of the ride). There will be a required stop at the SAG to allow the pack to reunite before continuing – so take advantage of the refreshments and restrooms while cyclists regroup. From there the ride continues west & then south, winding down a luminary-lit road and making a loop through a covered bridge in Mill Race Park on the way back to the library. This is NOT a closed route! There will be vehicular traffic on the roads, so stay to the right half of the street & ride responsibly.
Please note: Although this is a leisurely ride, riders unable to maintain a 10mph pace may be ‘picked up’ by our SAG vehicles and moved forward on the route or taken to the finish if they fall too far behind the other riders.
Safety
Safety for all participants is our prime objective! And we need your help…
We need you to:
• Wear a Helmet
• Have both a Headlight & a Taillight on your bike
• Have young riders ( <16 yrs. old) on a tandem or bicycle attachment with someone >16 yrs. old
• Secure any pet companions safely in a bicycle wagon or trailer
• Ride responsibly, follow traffic laws (yield right of way) & stay aware of your surroundings
• Wear light colors or reflective clothing
…and we encourage you to decorate yourself and your bike with lights & enter our“light up the night” contest
The Moonlight Loop provides the following:
• Riders will be led by a Columbus Police Department (CPD) squad car
• A vehicle using flashers will follow the final cyclists at the rear
• The CPD or Sheriff Reserve Department will assist with traffic at all major intersections
• Volunteers will be at smaller intersections along the way whenever a turn is required
• Roving radio-equipped SAG vehicles will be available to pick up cyclists experiencing issues or falling behind
• EMTs are on alert & placed within minutes of the route
• First Aid is available at the SAG stop
Contact information
- Event contact
- Event Organizer
