More than 450 people turned out with bells on during the evening of December 17 for the Third Annual Tour de Lights in downtown Knoxville. This event set a record with more participants than any ride in the bike program’s history.

The festive ride visited downtown before touring the holiday decorations of Fourth and Gill and Old North Knoxville. These neighborhoods welcomed the riders with spectators gathering on porches and in the yards.

This year’s Tour de Lights was even listed as a “cool ride” in the December 2009 edition of Bicycling Magazine. Prizes were awarded to riders for the best decorated group, person and bicycle.

The ride was sponsored by the city of Knoxville, the Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program and Mast General Store and could not have been a success without the help of the Knoxville Police Department and all the volunteers.

Here are a few comments from those who participated in the ride:

“I’ve done this bike ride all 3 years. It is part of my Christmas tradition and I look forward to it all year. It is the best ride of the year by far. Thanks for putting it on!!!!”

“I’ve done the Christmas ride three times and am determined to come back next year, too. It is part of my Christmas ritual now.”

“Loved the ride, it was amazing to see so many in the holiday spirit.”

“It was great! It was my first, but I hope not my last.”

“Awesome Tour de Lights this year!”

“Excellent ride. It was amazing to see such a great turn out. Way to go guys.”

“This was a really fun family event. We were Wowed by the decorated bikes, people and neighborhoods.”

See pictures from the ride >>