What is the Moonlight Loop?

The Moonlight Loop is a leisurely 19-mile evening bike ride around scenic Columbus, Indiana – passing several architectural gems along the way.

When is it?

Saturday, August 22, 2026, start time of 9pm.

Please Note: Because this is a night ride – this is NOT a race, (cyclists primarily travel together as a group) and everyone will depart the start line at 9pm, (so be there, be ready & plan pre-ride bathroom breaks accordingly).

Where is it?

The ride begins and ends in front of the Bartholomew County Public Library/Visitors Center Plaza at
536 Fifth Street, Columbus, Indiana.

View Course Map >>

Who benefits?

The Moonlight Loop is a fundraiser for Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS). FCACS is the not-for-profit fundraising arm for Columbus Animal Care Services (CACS). CACS provides an animal shelter and field services for the Columbus community and is located at 2730 Arnold Street.



Proceeds generated from the Moonlight Loop go directly to the FCACS’s Adoption Medical Fund. This fund covers the cost of providing veterinary treatment, medicine, spay/neuter services and pet food for the animals awaiting adoption in the CACS facility, as well as those in foster care.

Registration

Registration is $35 through June 30; $40 from July 1 – August 21; and $45 on race day, August 22, 2026.

Please note that online registration will end at 11:59 pm on Friday, August 21. After that you will need to register at the event. Individuals living in Columbus can register at the shelter thru 5:00 pm Friday, August 21, 2026.

Individuals will receive an official glow-in-the-dark T-shirt upon checking in for the ride. The registration fee includes the T-shirt**, SAG support vehicles, and refreshments at the mid-point of the ride.

**Please note that T-shirts are not guaranteed for participants who register after August 1, 2026. T-shirts are men’s sizes so please order accordingly.

*Printed forms should be returned by August 21 to Columbus Animal Care Services, 2730 Arnold St., Columbus, IN 47203.

Honorary Sponsorships

Memorialize the passing of a beloved pet, or an avid animal-lover, or honor those who are still with us, by placing their name(s) on the back of this year’s Moonlight Loop T-Shirt. The donation must be received by August 1, 2026 to ensure placement.

Complete the following form and mail it, along with a $250 donation* to:

FCACS
c/o Moonlight Loop
2730 Arnold Street
Columbus, IN 47203

The 19-mile ride begins and ends in front of the Bartholomew County Public Library/Visitors Center Plaza. The route starts by heading east & then north to the SAG stop at the Columbus Learning Center (approximately the half-way point of the ride). There will be a required stop at the SAG to allow the pack to reunite before continuing – so take advantage of the refreshments and restrooms while the cyclists regroup. From there the ride continues west & then south, winding down a luminary-lit road and making a loop through the covered bridge in Mill Race Park on the way back to the library. This is NOT a closed route! There will be vehicular traffic, so stay to the right half of the street & ride responsibly.

Please note: Although this is a leisurely ride, riders unable to maintain a 10mph pace may be ‘picked up’ by our SAG vehicles and moved forward on the route or taken to the finish if they fall too far behind the other riders.

Safety for all participants is our prime objective! And we need your help…

We need you to:

• Wear a Helmet
• Have both a Headlight & a Taillight on your bike
• Have riders younger than 16 ride on a tandem or bicycle attachment with someone 16 or older
• Secure any pet companions safely in a bicycle wagon or trailer
• Ride responsibly, follow traffic laws (yield right of way) & stay aware of your surroundings
• Wear light colors or reflective clothing…and we encourage you to decorate yourself and your bike with lights & enter our “light up the night” contest

The Moonlight Loop provides the following:

• Riders will be led by a Columbus Police Department (CPD) squad car
• A vehicle using flashers will follow the final cyclists at the rear
• CPD or Sheriff Reserve Department will assist with traffic at all major intersections
• Volunteers will be at smaller intersections along the way
• Roving radio-equipped SAG vehicles will be available to pick up cyclists experiencing issues or falling behind
• EMTs are on alert & placed within minutes of the route
• First Aid is available at the SAG stop

To assist with being “seen”, and to simply have fun, prizes will be awarded to the most well-lit bicycles (and riders). Feel free to go crazy with your lights on your bikes… just remember not to blind yourself with your glow! Contest will be held at 8:30pm, prior to ride start.

Use the following links to locate options for dining and lodging in the Columbus area.

To locate dining options: Restaurant and dining guide for Columbus, Indiana

To find a place to stay: Guide to lodging options in Columbus, Indiana

For event-related questions, please contact the Event Organizers by email using the button below, or call CACS at 812-376-2505.