Bikes, Bright Lights and Biting Cold

Santa and his Rudolph, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

To avoid the Christmas spirit in downtown Knoxville, you must be determined to revel in your inner Scrooge. From Christmas Wrestlers to gorgeous lights, we've got enough spirit to make a Grinch run and hide. The events and fun just keep coming. Tonight was no exception.

Ice Queen and her ride, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

What the Dickens!?! Andi's candles are actually lighted!

Halloween at Christmas?

Thirty eight degrees and a steady drizzle didn't stop dozens of bikers from joining the annual Tour de Lights bike ride through downtown Knoxville. The cold, sloppy night still offered an upgrade from the icy conditions last Thursday when the ride was originally scheduled.

Happy couple at the Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Santa in his sleigh, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Stars of Bethlehem? Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

The ride brought out couples and whole families, old and young, serious riders and the less-than-serious. The spirit of camaraderie in the midst of the silliness and the fun promotion of a simple, pollution-free transportation alternative were really what the night was about.

Adult, Fit Santa, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

Gotta have Elves, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

A Christmas Story Lamp - and yes, she rode in heels.

Well paid and happy judges, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

The bikers gathered in a chaotic group at the corner of Market and Union. I understood the start time to be 6:00 PM, then I heard 7:00PM. By the time I heard a rumor it would be 7:30, I was getting about as stiff as my camera which periodically refused to take pictures during the event.

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Strange Cycle, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

It did begin around 7:00 amidst great cheer. Smiles abounded from the riders and organizers to the judges and hot chocolate personnel. In the pictures the drizzle looks almost like the snow from my pictures last week, but it was a slowly soaking mist that must have made the biking slightly dicey in a group at night. The night was cold and wet, but the friendship was warm and real and, in the end, maybe the weather was perfect for a winter time ride with Ice Queens, Santas, Reindeer and everything Christmas.

Happy Hot Chocolate Crew, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010
(special thanks to second from left who got my camera returned to make this blog possible)