Walk Bike Burbank is bringing back the Midnight Ramble this Saturday night and if you’re anywhere in the area, you’re going to want to roll with this group.

Yes, bike people are pretty cook, but WBB is a warm and personal bunch that has a genuine grass roots component to it.

For a little background about this ride, Mary Dickson shares the history of the Midnight Ramble’s origins:

…the beginnings of this bicycle ride go much further back.  Two of our founding members are from St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Burbank in 1989.  St. Louis has hosted the late night bicycle ride every year since the first ride, with only one participant, was held in 1964.  The popularity of this event grew steadily over the years and now thousands of riders participate in what has become a kind of rite of passage for young bicycle riders.

Patrick Dickson rode in his first Moonlight Ramble (as the St. Louis event is known) in August 1973, working the sag wagon and repairing numerous bicycles over the 20 mile route.  Patrick continues to volunteer his expertise in bicycle repair in Burbank with organizations such as Bike Angels, and also for Walk Bike Burbank’s bike check before CicLAvia (our next bike check is August 8 at the Burbank Farmer’s Market).

Mary (LePique) Dickson also grew up with the Moonlight Ramble and surrounded by an active bicycle culture in St. Louis. She was an early bicycle commuter and braved the high temperature / high humidity August weather that makes St. Louis nearly unbearable. She remembered the midnight ride was a welcome opportunity to ride with little traffic and cooler temperatures.

August can also be hot and uncomfortable in Burbank.  As Walk Bike Burbank members were brainstorming about ride ideas, Patrick and Mary reminisced about the Moonlight Ramble in St. Louis, and the Midnight Ramble for Burbank was born.

Pure Fix Cycles will serve once again as the start/finish point on Chandler & Victory with registration starting at 10pm with the ride rolling at 11pm.

The route will be just under twelve miles criss-crossing primarily along bike lanes and bike paths.

Also adding to the party, Sandoval Tacos will be serving before and after the ride.

This should be obvious, but everyone riding should be bringing along lights. Riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet too.

I’ll be there and you can show your support too by RSVPing on their Facebook page.

Let’s get ready to ramble!!!