Magic in the moonlight: CDA’s full moon bike a ride big hit

In a word, Coeur d’Alene’s full moon bike ride is “magical,” at least according to organizer Danica Gilbert.

“It’s totally magical. That’s something I’ve said over and over.”

“When you see everyone going down the street in the dark, it’s very magical.”

If the sight of hundreds of people, young and old, cruising the streets of downtown Coeur d’Alene with flashers and glowsticks on their wheels doesn’t sound mystical, perhaps the perfect weather will.

“For some reason it always turns out to be a pretty great evening on these rides,” Gilbert said. “We’ve never really had a terrible rainy or bad experience.”

The ride was inspired by Sandpoint’s monthly ride under the full moon and began in 2018. April marked the ride’s two-year anniversary.

“I went on a Sandpoint ride and thought, ‘This is so fun. Why doesn’t Coeur d’Alene do it?’” Gilbert said.

“We have even a better town for it because we have such a biking-friendly community.”

The ride treks a total of two to three miles over a two-hour period, accommodating participants of all abilities. Stops are free and often include meals, drinks or desserts provided by volunteer business or sponsors.

No materials are needed, although Gilbert suggests helmets and a bike light for safety.

“It’s just a fun, enjoyable evening ride,” she said. “I think it kind of accommodates everyone and appeals to everyone.”

Ben Holzhauser, who’s been a supporter and participant since the beginning, agreed. “You really get all walks of life.”

“It’s a great way to meet new people, and a great gathering location for old friends. You can…meet like-minded people who enjoy breweries and being outdoors.”

The bike ride took off quickly, reaching 500 participants by the end of its first summer. At full volume, monthly rides became a traffic concern.

“They were getting so massive that in the spring of last year, the city shut it down,” said Gilbert. “When we went down Sherman there were so many bikes that it was taking up both lanes.”

The group presented their case to the city and obtained special events permits. The city is now advised of each month’s route, Gilbert says, and sometimes police officers are sent. The Full Moon Ride also began to have volunteers in vests to help with traffic.

“[Last winter] I was one of the volunteers in the vests, helping people cross, making sure the cars were stopping so the riders can pass,” said Holzhauser.

“We’ve never had any problems,” said Gilbert. “We’ve never had any complaint really, so it’s been really successful.”

Typically, interested community members gather at an appointed meeting spot for a pre-ride party, featuring snacks, music or drinks. The cruise leaves around 8 p.m. and slowly makes their way through downtown or midtown Coeur d’Alene until they reach their designated stop. The cruise typically returns to the starting point by 10 p.m., but Gilbert says some choose to go home early.

“I try not to go on anything too busy, but we always try to go on Sherman because it’s kind of a fun thing. Everyone comes out of the bars and yells and it’s a good time.”

“I enjoy the rides,” said Holzhauser, noting that the sense of community was strong in the group.

“Everyone is wanting to help everyone else,” he said.

The route often includes a stop at Independence Point for a group photo. Although, Gilbert says the exact route, and sometimes the destination, is a surprise.

At stops, riders enjoy the hospitality from hosting businesses and sponsors.

“It’s just chaos for them. They usually staff up and have extra people on hand,” said Gilbert. “The owners always come because it’s a spectacular shove of people in their place.”

But the “shove” of partying cyclists doesn’t deter businesses from participating.

Gilbert says the Full Moon Ride presents a promotional opportunity for businesses and was a major motivation to begin the ride.

“The whole purpose when we originally started was to highlight other businesses,” she said.

The ride emphasizes “different and new” businesses as well as nonprofits.

“It’s a great opportunity for advertising,” she said. “I’m honestly surprised more businesses haven’t asked to come and set up a little booth.”

One month the carousel downtown opened after dark and offered free rides and popcorn to participants.

“We’ve had some super good hosts that go above and beyond. They make a bunch of food or they’ll make special drinks just for us,” Gilbert said. “It’s been really nice.”

While Gilbert organizes the ride and has helped fund food and drink offerings in the past, rides have benefited from repeat sponsors as well as other businesses, particularly those which host the night’s stop.

“We wanted to help out by being a sponsor,” Holzhauser said. “I make sure myself or my business partner shows up [each time].”

His company, Five Pine Financial Wealth Management, typically supplies desserts. Trek Bicycle Store CDA and Local Real Estate are other primary sponsors. Trek provides free bike maintenance at each ride and Local Real Estate provides free popcorn. Radio Brewing often provides drinks.

“They show up to every ride. They have been just great friends that want to be involved and supporting,” she said. “They have been kind of my team. They’ve been just so awesome.”

The full moon rides don’t stop for winter. With social distancing guidelines in place, the group has adapted. The last two rides have foregone pre-parties and stops. Instead Gilbert posted a suggested route on the group’s social media pages.

“It’s a good way to be around a lot of people and not be indoors and touching the same surfaces,” Gilbert said. “You can keep your distance really well; you’re really self-distancing as it is and you don’t even mean it.”

The full moon’s magic has another gift: A homecoming of sorts for the nighttime bike riding community.

The Good Time Tea Company, which purchased the Slate Creek building, is planning to host the bike ride on June 5.

“If all goes well, we’ll have the Full Moon Ride there, which is cool because it’s the old Slate Creek,” Gilbert said.

The June 5 pre-ride event will start at 7 p.m. and the ride itself by 9 p.m., an hour later than usual start times due to later daylight hours in summer. There won’t be a midpoint stop and social distancing will be encouraged.

“I would say be open minded and have a good time,” Holzhauser said.

“If you go out you’ll definitely want to do it again.”

For more details on upcoming Full Moon Rides check their Facebook and Instagram pages.