Midnight MadnessAn Annual Bike Ride to Remember in San DiegoMidnight Madness is a fun bike ride unlike any other in San Diego. What makes it unique?
The location - This 20 mile flat loop takes you through some of San Diego's most beautiful waterfront and historic areas. The costumes - There are prizes for best costume so you see a lot of funny outfits. One year there was a bride and groom on a tandem bike with a bed frame all around them, a sumo wrestler, and a man in a fire truck complete with ladder and dalmation. Midnight Madness of course starts at midnight, but the festivities begin at 10 pm with the Costume Contest. There are bike themed booths and a few food vendors as well.
The start/finish line is behind the San Diego County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, 92101. Pre-registration is $28. If you register the day of the event, it's $35. Proceeds benefit Hostelling International USA, San Diego Council and San Diego Uptown Optimist Club. The event is always on a Saturday night in August. Or I guess you could say Sunday morning since it starts at midnight!
Check Out This Video of Midnight MadnessGet a taste for the ride. You'll even see a wipeout at the starting line. Hopefully this will not happen to you or your kids!
Is Midnight Madness Good for Kids?When you think of the words "midnight" and "madness," family friendly doesn't exactly come to mind! But this ride really is a great memory maker for families as long as your kids are old enough and confident on a bike.The route is mostly flat and very easy. The hard part is navigating with so many other riders. If your child is confident handling his or her bike through traffic (other riders), he or she will do fine. But if the thought of being next to a lot of people is intimidating, you should probably skip it or leave your kids at home. I know one family who had a good time, but they just had to go a lot slower to accommodate their son who needed to stop many times along the way to grab his water bottle and drink. Also, there are a few inappropriate things that you may not want your children to see. One year, there was one female rider who was basically wearing a bra and underwear...yikes! What was she thinking? But of course, that's one rider out of a thousand ruining it for others. Most of the costumes are fine and entertaining. Of course, there are also a few obnoxious riders who yell and act stupid. And you'll pass some open bars along the route too. But for the most part, with older kids, the bike ride can be a great time of bonding for the family to do something so crazy like biking through downtown San Diego at midnight madness!
Here's my brother-in-law and sister-in-law wearing glow sticks at the ride, having fun.
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The time - When else can you join thousands of other riders at midnight?
