Westerville neighborhoods are aglow with holiday lights in December, and a bicycle ride is a fun way to see them. With warm clothing, good bike lights and proper safety precautions, cyclists can enjoy the displays at a leisurely pace while burning a few of the season’s calories.
The author of this blog, local resident Jeff Pierron, has led Westerville holiday lights rides for friends the past 5 years. This year, he’s inviting the public to join him for free “slow rolls” on two routes he designed to showcase some of the city’s best displays at homes and public sites. These rides are geared to recreational cyclists who are comfortable riding about 10 miles at a moderate speed.
Winter biking not your thing? You can instead “ride” the rides by car, using special route maps optimized for driving. (See the sidebar to learn more.)
Cyclists who want to join Jeff’s rides must go to the 2024 Westerville Holiday Lights Ride Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/rMcWSP9hKn1jE8iY/ and click the blue “join” button. You don’t have to have a Facebook account to join, but you must join the group to see the posts about ride dates, maps, cold weather cycling tips, safety instructions and more. (Please note that all the information and updates will be shared ONLY in Facebook group, and not in this blog.)
Here’s an overview to help you decide if you’re interested:
— RIDE DATES: Because ride safety is very much subject to weather, the dates won’t be announced (in the Facebook group) until a couple of days in advance. We want clear pavement and temperatures in at least the 40s. Starting times will be 6 p.m. Cyclists should arrive at least 15 minutes early to prepare themselves and their bikes, and to sign the mandatory liability waiver.
— RIDE FORMAT: The routes are about 8 miles (West Loop) and 10 miles (East Loop, with an option to skip the last 2 miles). The West Loop starts and finishes in the parking lot behind the Westerville Library, and the East Loop begins and ends at Millstone Creek Park (corner of Maxtown and Spring roads). We’ll travel almost entirely on low-traffic streets, and a small distance on bike trails. The leader will guide us through the many turns on the winding routes, and another volunteer will bring up the rear.
— REGISTRATION: The rides are free and there’s no registration. Each ride will be posted as an “event” in the Facebook group, and would-be participants are asked to indicate whether they’re going or interested to help Jeff gauge the expected turnout. All riders participate at their own risk.
— RIDE PACE: The group will stick together, and no one will be “dropped.” The pace will be about 10-12 mph, and we’ll pause at the best displays for photos and gawking. Expect the ride to last about 90-120 minutes.
— WHAT TO BRING: A dependable bike, of course. Just about any type is suitable if it is properly maintained and enables you to keep up with the group. A helmet, and fully charged front and rear lights, are mandatory. You’ll want to dress warmly, especially to protect your extremities. The night air feels much colder because of humidity and lack of sunshine. The Facebook page will offer some tips on how to keep warm.
— AGE LIMIT: All participants must be at least 12 years old, and those 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
— SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: Riding at night, in the cold and in a group, presents special challenges. It’s more difficult to see and to be seen in the dark. Obstacles, curbs and pavement irregularities become more of a hazard. Take it slow and allow others plenty of leeway. Call out hazards to other riders and be aware that motorists might not be expecting to see cyclists riding in the winter after dark. Wear highly visible, reflective apparel.
Still interested? Then a magical journey awaits you!
Westerville residents rightfully take pride in their elaborate, sometimes whimsical, holiday decorations. Their shimmering, shining displays can be found throughout the city. Seeing them all by bike would take hours. Therefore, the goal with the two routes on the Holiday Lights rides is to sample a few neighborhoods with high concentrations of holiday lights along cycling-friendly streets, then use safe arteries to connect the neighborhoods together.
Among the big residential displays that didn’t fit into the cycling loops are one on Old Coach Road in the Annehurst neighborhood, and two on Spring Road, a little north of Schrock Road. They’re worth a drive-by, as are other displays sprinkled in neighborhoods across the city.
Whether by bike or car, a tour to see Westerville’s outdoor lights will brighten your holiday season!
— By Jeff Pierron
