For the 31st year, cyclists decked out in lights and costumes enjoyed the magic of biking 24 miles under a starry sky and brilliant moon on Antelope Island.

The Antelope by Moonlight Bike Ride, held July 11, is noncompetitive and has a new theme every year. This year’s was Ride to Oz. It draws a disparate crowd of serious cyclists mingled with beginners, children, teens, and families pulling kids in bike trailers. There were even a few recumbent trikes and a smattering of bison.

Seventy-five-year-old Rich Kohler from Provo joined in the fun for his first time at last month’s event that drew throngs of cyclists.

“People really got into the spirit of things,” he said. “All the bikes were required to have lights front and back but some people also lit up themselves. One woman was wearing blinking earrings and shoes. Some people had Christmas lights on their bikes.

“There was so much camaraderie,” Kohler said. “We were lined up to ride at White Rock Bay at about 9 p.m. so we had about an hour to wait till it started at 10 p.m. Everyone was so friendly, chatting to each other, people joining into conversations.”

Kohler said when he and his two friends turned around at the historic Fielding Garr Ranch to head back, they were stunned to see bikes for what seemed like miles snaking through the darkness toward the ranch.

“It reminded me of a scene in the movie ‘Field of Dreams,’” he said. “We literally could not see the end of the trail of bikers. It was quite a sight. And beautiful to see the moon rise in the east and then sit high in the sky by the time we finished.”

It was only a month ago that Kohler spent five days in the hospital ICU for an unexpected random medical incident. 

“It took a while to get my strength back after the hospital,” said the veteran cyclist who rides several times a week and even cycled in the grueling 200-plus-mile LoToJa Race in his 50s. “Only recently have I been able to ride more than a couple of miles and in fact, I crashed on my mountain bike five days before the Antelope Island ride and feels like I cracked a rib.”

He was biking above Alpine when his front tire went off the trail as he cut across a steep hill, catapulting him down the mountain. “You should see my face,” he said. “I landed in a scrub oak tree on my shoulder and head. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone so I came on this ride anyway.”

Given recent circumstances, he felt grateful to be on the moonlight ride and said he rode faster than he usually does. 

“It was really festive and different from what I’m used to,” Kohler said. “I would do it again. It was very well organized with a lot of support. Booths were giving away free bike lights, bug spray and mini water misters. There was food for sale and free Creamies. I’ve heard there can be flies and bugs but I didn’t notice any.”

After the long drive back to Provo, he crawled in bed at 2 a.m. and showed up for work at 9 a.m. 

You might say he’s a little crazy. “I think most bikers are,” he said with a smile.