18th Annual Kaiser Permanente Moonlight Classic benefiting Seniors, Inc.

 Kaiser Permanente Moolight Classic

 Moonlight Ride

OK, all you bicycle enthusiasts, it is time to get your bike ready for one of the most fun and unusual bicycle rides in Denver. Kaiser Permanente is holding its 18^th Annual Moonlight Classic to benefit Seniors Inc. The festivities begin at 8:30 pm on July 17^th and end at 2:00 am on July 18^th. You will be able to take the moonlight ride through Denver with a bunch of other crazy people in creative costumes on 1-, 2- and 6-wheel bikes. Their goal is to raise $50,000 with the Gay and Lesbian Fund Matching Grant of $3,000 for added donations in addition to event registration fees for Seniors, Inc.

 Festivities and Ride

The festivities will begin with entertainment provided by Vitamin Water featuring the Yellow Designs Stunt Team and their exciting stunts performed on BMX Bicycles, Kaiser Permanente's About Your Health Theatre, music, vendors, displays, and Gonzo costume contest. There will be a 10-mile closed course available for you to ride as many laps as you wish until 2 am when the streets will reopen. The Denver Police Department is manning the course with more than 100 officers to provide as safe an environment as they can for you and your family. The event starts at Veterans Park, across Broadway to the east from the Capital Building. The rides will start at 14^th and Sherman, south of the Capital Building, with the 180 Energy Drink After Hours Cycling Bash kicking it off with the family ride at 10:30 pm and will be followed by the Gonzo bicycle riders after their costume contest at 11:30 pm.

Kaiser Permanente Moonlight Classic

About Seniors Inc.

Seniors Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing assistance to the many seniors, ages 55-98, and their families in 21 counties of the state. They started out with one location, in a basement office provided by the Gates Rubber Company, a budget of $25,000, one executive director and two senior volunteers and have spread to the $5 million organization they are today. They have four centers located in Denver, Pueblo, Canon City and Trinidad with four support volunteers and their executive director. Their focus is on helping keep seniors in their homes, where they are happy and comfortable, instead of in a nursing home.

Registration

You can register early at one of 19 Front Range bicycle shops or online at www.moonlight-classic.com. Early registration will end on the 14^th. Late registration will be the night of the event from 8:30 pm until 11:30 pm. All registrants will receive a specially designed shirt made of 100% cotton, a ticket to the Irv Berlau Memorial Lunar Breakfast, snacks and entertainment at the midnight snack stops, an e-packet with special offers, a discount coupon to The Wilderness Experience and coupons for Vitamin Water and chances to win dozens of prizes. Registration fees are: adults, $35; seniors over 60, $30; and children under 12, $20, same price as 2009! You will need to add $5 for ride-night late registration. 

Kaiser Permanente Moonlight Classic

Need a Bike? Or Lights?

Participants will be required to have lights on either their helmets or handlebars. Event organizer Scott Harris is encouraging riders who do not have them to purchase or borrow them before the event, or be prepared to do so when you get there. You can also rent a bicycle at one of the new Denver B-cycle centers and ride to the event. The first 30 people to sign up and register can demo a B-cycle at the event. A helmet and light will be included. B-cycle is a bicycle renting system where you can share bikes with other people. Swipe your card, grab the bike and away you go.

Sponsors

This year's event is being made possible by Kaiser Permanente, Bike Source, 9News KUSA,180 Energy Drink, Dilley Printing, Competitor Colorado Magazine, Santiago’s, Caribou Coffee, Vitamin Water Zero, OnTarget Public Relations, CLIF/MoJo Bar, Denver/Boulder Bike Couriers, Keen, Kryptonite, The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado and Anheuser Busch.

For more information contact this writer, On Target: Public Relations: Pat Smith pat@ontargetpr.net or June Nery june@ontargetpr.net. For Rocky Mountain Events/Moonlight Classic: www.moonlight-classic.com 303-333-1516 or 303-719-7812.

A special thanks to June Nery for her assitance with this article.

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