Fourth Annual Bike Through the Lights Event

SAN ANGELO, TX-  Riders, skaters, walkers, and runners of all ages are welcome to join in the fourth Bike Through the Lights Event. This evening, people can ride along with Santa and his Elf and take in the view of three million Christmas lights, and more than 60 Christmas Greeting Cards.

From 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., San Angeloans can meet at the YMCA parking lot, 353 S. Randolph, to see Santa and his Elf before the event begins.

The ride will begin at 5:30 p.m. Participants will exit the lower YMCA parking lot at the corner of S. Randolph onto River Dr.

Those choosing to cycle during the event must have a front light, rear reflector or light, and a helmet. Those skating during the tour will also be required to a helmet.

Due to the road opening back up to vehicles, all participants must be off the streets of the tour by 6:15 p.m. But, the party doesn’t have to end there. Santa will have peppermints for the participants and the San Angelo Bicycle Association (SABA) will provide cookies and hot chocolate after the ride.

Jonathan Jennings from SABA explained that each year, the Bike Through the Lights Event has continued to grow in numbers. In the beginning, Jennings said the event was more for the SABA club to get together, but now it has become a community event.

“Last year, we had more individuals, especially more kids. This year we are expecting to have many more kids and families who aren’t part of the cycling club here in San Angelo. It is turning into a more community event,” Jennings explained.

Jennings noted that the Concho Christmas Celebration approached SABA to see if this event was something they could do; he has only participated in the Bike Through the Lights event for the past two years.

From 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., participants will be able to take as many laps as they can. Jennings said, “Out and back is about a two-mile ride.”

A petti cab, including Santa and his Elf, will be joining the participants as they make their laps for the event. Public Information Officer Anthony Wilson will dress up as the Elf as a fill-in for the driver of the petti cab.

Jennings said, “To me, [the Bike Through the Lights] is tradition. I’ve been to the last two, so this is something we look forward towards. We always have a lot of cookies and hot chocolate afterwards.”