The Wisconsin Bike Fed's Polish Moon ride started in 2014 as a Polish/norteña-themed, summer slow-roll through Milwaukee's historically Polish and Latinx neighborhoods and, despite the COVID-19 global pandemic, it intends to continue the tradition, albeit in a different, more socially-distant — and shall we say, celestially-distant — form.
Instead of gathering under the Allen-Bradley clock tower (aka the Polish moon) in Walker's Point for one night only, the Bike Fed is asking you to contribute your efforts towards a 25-day, virtual ride around the actual moon. That's 6,786 miles in total!
Don't worry, you don't have to log all those miles yourself; we're in this together. According to their event page, it's up to you how much you want to ride, where you ride, and how fast you go.
"Riding with the kids to the park near you each week? Taking 100-mile solo trips? Hopping on the indoor trainer before the kids wake up? Slow rolling a 10-miler to let off stress after work or after home schooling your kids? It all counts! Time is not being tracked, only how far you go as we ride together (while apart) to reach the goal."
There will also be opportunities to support local businesses while you're out and about.
You can register as an individual or with a "Quaran-team" to aggregate miles towards the end goal. Once that's done, you can ride whenever and to wherever you please.
Each registered rider will be mailed a custom 1.25" soft enamel pin and sticker celebrating this year's event, and be entered to win assorted prize packages. Registrants will also receive a playlist of classic norteña and polka music on various streaming services to channel the historic neighborhood vibe.
The virtual Polish Moon Ride supports the Bike Fed’s education and advocacy programs aimed at making Wisconsin the best place in the country to ride a bicycle.
Jason McDowell grew up in central Iowa and moved to Milwaukee in 2000 to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
In 2006 he began working with OnMilwaukee as an advertising designer, but has since taken on a variety of rolls as the Creative Director, tackling all kinds of design problems, from digital to print, advertising to branding, icons to programming.
In 2016 he picked up the 414 Digital Star of the Year award.
Most other times he can be found racing bicycles, playing board games, or petting dogs.
