Lawrence Hopewell Trail and Mercer County Parks Commission are set to host a nighttime bike ride.
The first ever Super Moon Bike Ride at Mercer Meadows is set for Aug. 10, the night of a confluence of celestial events: A “super moon” and Perseid Meteor Shower. The event is set to begin 8:30 p.m. at Rosedale Park.
Riders will cycle around a six-mile loop along the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, the Maidenhead Trail and the Twin Pines Trail.
While the county park system is generally closed from dusk to dawn, the Mercer County Park Commission elected to co-sponsor this special event and representatives will join the ride. Park rangers will also be present at two crossings of Blackwell Road to assure safe crossing.
The ride, expected to take about 45 minutes, will end with water ice and ice cream.
Mercer Meadows, where the Super Moon Bike Ride will take place, consists of more than 1,600 acres, divided among five separate districts. Miles of mowed and gravel trails provide visitors and their families with scenic walking and biking routes through the meadows and woodland.
Aug. 10 is expected to be a special celestial evening with the super moon, when the full moon makes its closest approach to the earth on its elliptical orbit, resulting in the largest apparent size of the moon seen from earth. The night sky will be especially active that evening when as many as 50 to 100 meteors per hour may be streaking across the sky as part of the annual Perseid meteor shower.
Bike decorating is encouraged and limited glow sticks will be provided to light up participants’ bikes.
The ride is for ages 12 and older. Helmets are required for all riders.
Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the ride online at lht.org and to bring a copy of the signed form with them. Registration, which is required for those who wish to participate; it may also be done that evening at Rosedale Lake.
More information is online at lhtrail.org and mercercountyparks.org.
