Holiday Guide - Holiday bike tours of lights

Gas ain’t cheap and you spend enough time in your car as it is, so why not break out the ol’ two-wheeler for a spin through Atlanta to check out holiday light displays?

The Southern Bicycle League holds its annual Christmas Light Ride Thurs., Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. The route changes each year depending where the most eye-dazzling displays happen to be, but “I try to keep it under 12 miles and go at a slow pace,” says SBL member Dave Williams. Interested? Meet up with the crew at Decatur First Bank (1120 Commerce Drive, Decatur). Headlights and taillights are required. Bike decorating is highly encouraged.

The local chapter of Critical Mass meets the last Friday of each month at Woodruff Park for regular rides. While there’s no official light ride planned, member Charles Ponder has a couple of options for you DIYers out there. He recommends a 21.82-mile route that loops through Morningside, Emory, Oakhurst, L5P, Grant Park, Piedmont Heights and Ansley Park. It winds mostly through residential areas and only spends about 1/4 mile on busy roads. For a longer ride, try Ponder’s 25.88-mile loop that rolls from Ansley Park to Decatur via Midtown, Oakhurst, Virginia-Highland and Morningside.