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Sports Backers Blog

Moonlight Ride is a Family Affair for Local Father-Daughter Duo

Todd Baldacci and his daughter Claire are loyal participants in the Anthem Moonlight Ride, and they'll be back again this year to enjoy the Ride together.

By: Nan Turner


Throughout the years the Anthem Moonlight Ride has grown and changed, much like some of the Ride’s most loyal participants. Midlothian resident Todd Baldacci and his daughter, Claire, have participated in all but one of the Rides since it began in 2009, and are looking forward to this year's version of the festive event on Saturday, August 17th.

Claire, now almost 16, was only 11 years old for the inaugural Moonlight Ride in 2009, but she insisted on pedaling the full 17-mile distance.

“The inaugural year we did the full ride, and we may not have known how long that would be,” Todd said. “We were not the fastest but we finished. She decorated her bike the first year.”

Since then the two have rotated between the 17-mile and the eight-mile ride, choosing to do whichever distance best fits their immediate schedule. The Moonlight Ride is the only cycling event they mark on the calendar every year, and they also enjoy taking a lot of recreational rides, often frequenting the Mid-Lothian Mines Park.

After their first Moonlight experience the father-daughter duo was very impressed.

“We thought it was a great event,” Todd said. “I think the difference with this event is that you’re riding at night. It’s wonderful in the twilight…and the streets were chosen nicely. It must be a couple thousand participants now…it’s amazing how big it has grown.”

The family-friendly atmosphere is one of the aspects of the Moonlight Ride that Todd and Claire find most appealing.

“It’s a family event. You have your competitive riders there, but it’s for everyone. You have the eclectic groups that dress up, and you also have your families,” Todd said. “It’s a terrific blend of the whole community within the event. It’s fun and can be as challenging as you make it. If you’re a novice you’ll have fun, and if you’re a seasoned rider it’s fun too. Riding through the night in the city brings a lot to the table.”

Although Todd and Claire have shared a lot of Moonlight memories together over the years, one particularly stands out to Dad.

“The very first year Claire was 11 and it was challenging for her,” Todd said. “She was one of the last to cross the finish line and she stuck both her hands up in the air and screamed like she had won the Tour De France.”

This year Todd says he does not have any sort of time or speed goals in mind; instead he focuses on the quality time he spends with his daughter.

“We do it to have fun. It keeps us close together,” Todd said. “Claire and I have a lot in common, and we always do the Ride together. We don’t separate. One may fall behind and other waits or is looking.”

The Moonlight Ride goes down Historic Monument Avenue as well as the Northside and Near West End. The course showcases the city lights at night, and encourages riders to make their bike an illuminated spectacle. Ending in a finish festival with pizza, ice cream, live music and Blue Moon beer (for those over 21), the Ride is a celebration of Richmond’s vibrant cycling culture.

“It brings the community closer together,” Todd said. “It’s not exorbitantly priced. It brings together the whole metropolitan area with the belief that we like to do things together and be active together. It encompasses the whole spirit of RVA.”

This year’s even will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013. For more information on the Anthem Moonlight Ride and to register visit http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/moonlight-ride.

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