UMSL international business student Dustyn Arney has been a cyclist for three years, riding for fun and racing for causes. On Aug. 9, he will take part in the University of Missouri–St. Louis Moonlight Ramble for the second consecutive year.
After a 2011 motorcycle accident left Dustyn Arney with a broken back, nine significant breaks to eight vertebrae and more than 100 fractures, he was determined to come back strong.
“I started setting little goals for myself, to make sure I would keep pushing myself everyday. After seven days I walked out of the hospital, slowly with a brace and a walker, but I walked” said Arney, an international business student at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “After a while I realized there was a bicycle outside with two flat tires, and I decided riding would be a way to build myself back.”
Then he was hooked on cycling. Whether biking with his son for recreation, racing for a cause or biking for the experience in the annual University of Missouri–St. Louis Moonlight Ramble, Arney said cycling has become one of his passions.
And for the second year in a row, he’ll join thousands of riders at one minute past midnight Aug. 9 for the 51st annual Moonlight Ramble through the streets of St. Louis.
“It’s a party! It’s not a training ride. It’s not a race,” Arney said. “Last year I saw someone doing stunts on a custom made double-decker bicycle, and a very odd looking, very tall quadracycle that had a flame thrower on top of it. Some of the people were dressed like clowns, others in matching stockings to make them a team and some were there in actual riding gear. There were young people, old people, kids, babies sleeping in bicycle trailers. As diversity goes, it was the most diverse event I have ever attended. I’m not going back this year for the ride. I’m going back for the experience.”
Organizers of the ramble have teamed up with UMSL for the second consecutive year. The registration deadline is Aug. 3. Visit the University of Missouri–St. Louis Moonlight Ramble page to register.
This year’s ramble begins at St. Louis Busch Stadium Parking Lot C at 8th and Cerre streets downtown at the southwest corner of the stadium. The staging area will open at 9 p.m. for registration and packet pickup. A vendor village will offer food, refreshments and an array of bicycle paraphernalia.
The University of Missouri–St. Louis Moonlight Ramble will then begin at midnight. The route is always a top secret, but registered bicyclists will receive a map at the event. There are two routes to choose from – 10.5 miles and 18.5 miles. All participants receive a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt. Riders are required to wear helmets and comply with all city of St. Louis bicycle regulations. The traditional after party for riders includes snacks and drinks, and runs from 1 to 3 a.m.
For more information on the ramble, contact 314-613-7966 or esertic@stl.emmis.com.
Media Coverage:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
