Lightning partners with onbikes for Friday's Stanley Cup bike 'Ride and Rally' through downtown Tampa

To celebrate the Tampa Bay Lightning's advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third year in a row, the team is partnering with Tampa-based nonprofit onbikes to host a free "Ride and Rally" at Amalie Arena's Thunder Alley from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. this Friday, June 17.

Beginning at 6:15 p.m., the ride will bring Lightning spirit through the streets of Tampa on the night before the team  prepares to take on the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the Finals. The exact route is still being sorted out with the city, onbikes founder Julius Tobin told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
With check in at 5 p.m., participants are encouraged to bring their bikes to the event, where there will be a bike decoration station, a live DJ and music to pump up the crowd before the ride and a live painting of a Lightning portrait that will be auctioned off in benefit of onbikes.

Fans will also have the opportunity to pick up yard signs and playoff promotional items,  enjoy extended hours at the Tampa Bay Sports Retail Store and enter in a raffle in chances to win autographed memorabilia and four tickets to the Game 2 Watch Party and Fan Zam Ride.

Those without bikes are still invited  to show their support during a pep rally outside Amalie Arena, which is located at 401 Channelside Dr. in downtown Tampa.

After the ride, a replay of Game 6 of the historic Eastern Conference Final between the Lightning and New York Rangers will play.

Onbikes is a nonprofit organization empowering those in need with access to bicycles in cities and towns across the country.

Those interested can register in advance online at tampabaylightning.com/playoffevents or the day of the event on site.