RIDE THE 15-MILE LOOP WITH US UNDER A FULL MOON AT SHARK VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Join AIA Miami for a moonlight bike ride through Shark Valley National Park - to benefit the AIA Miami Resiliency Committee. View nocturnal animals and birds and enjoy the silvery reflection of the full moon on the waters of the everglades.

How much does this cost?

$30 AIA MIAMI & FT. LAUDERDALE MEMBERS
$35 AIA MIAMI ALLIED AND ANNUAL PARTNERS
$45 NON-MEMBERS
$20 AIAS STUDENTS

Who is this Ride recommended for?

This ride is for adults only.
It is 15 miles long, and not suitable for children

How long is the ride?

The loop is a total of 15 miles with a stop at the halfway mark for a picnic supper.
Bring your own picnic supper.
Go at your own pace, but know that you must be self sufficient as far as your equipment.

What to bring:

A well-maintained bicycle
Repair kit
Headlamp or bicycle light (This is if there are clouds. The moon is predicted to be at 95% illumination this night.)
Bug spray (although at this time of the year, the bugs are at a minimum)
Water Bottle
Picnic Supper

How Does this work?

We will meet up outside of the Shark Valley National Park at 6:15pm
We will set out on our ride at 7:00 pm, and will not wait for stragglers.
There is plenty of free parking outside of the park along the roadway.
Look for our group just inside the driveway / entrance to the park.
The park is closed to cars, but is open to visitors 24/7
Depending on the direction of the wind, we will ride counterclockwise or clockwise, so that the wind will be at our backs on the return ride.

Who is Guiding the group?

Depending on confirmation we will have two guides:
1. An experienced Bicycle Guide who has ridden this route at night many times
2. An Architect who will give a short talk about the structure that is at the mid-point of the ride.
3. Several people who have made this ride at least 5 times in the past

What about Alligators, Dinosaurs and Giant Pythons? IS THIS SAFE?

This ride is very safe. The path is raised and well maintained. Individuals and groups take this ride every month. The National Park has organized rides every couple of months.
The AIA Miami Executive Director has done the full moon ride over 10+.
We will hear the Alligators and see their eyes reflecting in the light, but the chance of an alligator or python encounter is very, very low.
Dinosaurs, well... we can only hope.

If we are out in the dark, what will we see?

On a On a full moon tour in Shark Valley, expect to see iconic Everglades wading birds like Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, and Anhingas (snakebirds), often resting or hunting in the water, plus raptors like Ospreys and Bald Eagles, and nocturnal hunters like Barred Owls, as the moonlight reveals their active hunting grounds, contrasting with daytime sights of Snail Kites and Limpkins.
Shift in Activity: While many birds are present all day, the full moon enhances sightings of nocturnal birds like owls and nightjars, and you'll see wading birds like herons and egrets perched or hunting in the shallow water under the bright moonlight

How do I get there?:

These are approximate directions. Please use WAZE or Google Maps to guide you.
It is a 1.25 hour trip from downtown Miami, so plan accordingly. We will not wait past 7 pm.
From Miami: Take the FL-836 West to the exit for NW 137th Avenue South
Go 4 miles on 137th ave south to SW 8th Street
Turn Right on SW 8th (west)
go approximately 23 miles to the Shark Valley Loop Road - on teh left
before the road, park alongside SW 8th street. You will see all the cars.
Park and walk to the park road and look for our group.

What if it rains or is too windy/cold?

We will reschedule the ride.
monitor your email if the weather seems volitile
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. THIS IS A FUNDRAISER.

Full Moon Bike Ride At Shark Valley National Park - 11