On the 12th year of Holiday Lights Rides, South Philly gave to me…
Stopped from riding on the 11th due to hazardous weather conditions, we beat the rain last night to tour the holiday lights joyously dry for our 12th annual Holiday Lights Ride. Like a Christmas miracle, rain stopped before we rode, and resumed again after we finished.
Despite the wet weather and decked in their holiday finest, over 200 cyclists joined BCGP and our friends at Wednesday Night Rides in South Philly for a 7-mile loop that included the beautiful street displays on 2nd and Mifflin, the legendary loops on South Colorado and South Smedley, and the iconic Miracle on 13th Street. Our ride kicked off and wrapped up on Passyunk Avenue, right in front of Bell’s Bike Shop, who graciously hosted us before the ride, and Cartesian Brewing, who welcomed us for the After Party.
This ride would not have been possible without our more than twenty volunteer marshals, including members of Wednesday Night Rides and youth cyclists from BCYC. If you were there, THANK YOU for bringing your best festive spirit! We are overjoyed to have so much participation in this ride—Holiday Lights has been a hallmark of the Coalition’s programming for years, at its core an essentially Philly experience, eagerly anticipated and fun for both staff and across families in our community—an event that also highlights the strength and visibility of cyclists during a time of reduced daylight and less responsible driving habits.
We want to give a big shout out to our Presenting Sponsor, Vitality Physical Therapy.
‘Vitality Physical Therapy is dedicated to helping athletes and cyclists of all ages and abilities recover and return to the activities they love. With personalized treatment plans, expert care, and a focus on rehabilitation and injury prevention, we empower our patients to regain strength, flexibility, and confidence—getting them back on track to perform at their best.’
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort on or off your bike and want to seek physical therapy, visit our friends at Vitality Physical Therapy.
Many thanks to Steve Palladinetti of Bell’s Bike Shop for coordinating ride start and after-party logistics, and to Cartesian Brewing for their warm hospitality. We’re deeply grateful to these local businesses, as well as to South Fellini, who designed the awesome Holiday Lights Ride T-shirt, for bringing the South Philly love. A big thank you as well to the Philadelphia Parking Authority for sponsoring our After Party. We can’t wait for next year!
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