During the summer, bike rides took over the town as the community of Wrightwood came together to cruise through the streets at dusk with neon lights illuminating their bikes.
The bike meet-up is hosted by the Sport Sim in Wrightwood, which is a virtual golf simulator and inline hockey shooting bay that opened just last summer and is located next to the Wrightwood Inn.
The Sport Sim co-owner and local realtor Eddie Limbaga said he got the idea of having a nightly bike ride in Wrightwood after visiting the beach and seeing a crowd of runners pass by the boardwalk, decked out in neon clothing and flashing lights.
In July, the Sport Sim offered a variety of colored wheel lights for $10 so participants could conveniently decorate their wheels before the first 2-mile group bike ride that was promoted on social media. The weekly event quickly became a popular summer activity, attracting not just families but seasoned cyclists as well.
If you haven’t joined in on this radiant nighttime festivity, be sure to check it out during September before the colder weather creeps in. Here’s everything you need to know before the next bike ride.
WHEN & WHERE
The meet-up is every Thursday night in September at 7 p.m. Meet in the parking lot of the Sport Sim, located at 1350 Hwy. 2 in Wrightwood, with your bike and helmet. You can purchase bicycle wheel lights at the Sport Sim for $10, and they come in a variety of colors like blue, green, red, and rainbow. Get them ahead of time to set up the lights on your ride. The Sport Sim also sells bicycle taillights that clip to the back or front of your bike. The ride begins around 7:15 p.m.
WHO
This ride is free and open to anyone and everyone with a bike! The group will ride together in a parade-like fashion as they weave up and down the main village of Wrightwood, heading toward the Wrightwood Country Club and back to the Sport Sim for a total of about 2 miles. Eddie’s golf cart leads the pack, which is decked out with neon lights and fun party music so no one gets lost. A golf cart also follows in the rear to make sure no one gets left behind.
FUN & GAMES
Before the ride begins, each rider is given a ticket to be entered into an opportunity drawing, sponsored by Team RDP Wrightwood Real Estate. Cyclists must stay until the end of the ride to claim their prize with past prizes including a brand-new ice cooler and a pair of insulated water bottles to stay hydrated. Be sure to keep your ticket for next week because all tickets roll over and are entered again for the following week’s drawing.
Follow the Sport Sim on Instagram and Facebook @thesportsim to stay up to date for more fun activities and offerings. Their virtual golf simulator and inline hockey shooting bay is also a great way to stay active indoors during the cooler months. Visit their website, www.thesportsim.com, to book a tee time or inquire about group events and birthday parties.
