Casual urban street ride to enjoy Manhattan's holiday lights and cheer. And while doing it, let's bedeck ourselves and bikes with lights and holiday trimmings (safe for cycling, of course). We'll follow a cue sheeted route created by your leader through a variety of special holiday sights. Of course we'll visit some of the expected spectaculars, such as Rock Center's tree and Sak's sound/light display. Plus 19 others, some of which ya never thought of! Guaranteed, there will be tons of OOHs and AHHs, plus some stellar photo ops. Some sights/areas will be "bike-bys". while at others we'll visit/absorb plus take pix. Optional stop "apres" in FIDI (buy your own, as desired) for bevs/repast at Sophie's Cuban on Fulton St (we've been there on these rides; they welcome cyclists and food is served fast and hot cafeteria style, plus it's "bon marche", a great value). And yes, we're doing this route on a weekday late afternoon/early eveningso at least we avoid the weekend hordes of visitors.

Approx mileage only 14, but there will be at time lots of other holiday gazers and gawkers, so expect some very busy streets at a few places; please be comfortable/skilled at navigating safely in such (translation; have experience in varied urban conditions). Lots of bails along the way, courtesy of myriad subways and commuter rail lines.. Cue sheet provided in advance of ride to registered riders. Ends at the South Street Seaport. All types of bikes welcomed, just be aware we will be on some streets that at times are very busy, with potentially more "stop/go" action than customary on club bike rides (son of a gun, there's a lot of other folks oogling the holiday settings, as well!), plus occasionally we walk bikes through mixed-pedestrian areas and plazas. So choose your steed, shoe gear, and tire width well. Estimated finish time (before any repast) 6:30PM

Any changes or cancellation will be posted by noon of ride day. But weather is supposed to be good for that whole part of the week, and seasonal temps won't deter us, so dress for success in layers and such.

MEET:  The Central Park info booth at the Columbus Circle arc and entrance. FYI and convenience pre-ride, there's also a heated public restroom just down the path inside the park, along the western boundary's stone wall. Please be present and prepared to roll out, at least a few minutes before the start so we can do our ABC quik check . . and roll out before totally chilling out from standing around. We will not be waiting for stragglers at the start - - it's cold out there!

BRING:  Great spirit of adventure, bike in good condition, tire changing/repair gear, hydration, and $ for bevs/repast/bails if desired. Front and rear lights required, of course, per NYC regs. But we can do better than that, so wear high viz colors/layers, reflective vests (if you don't have, ask leader and we can lend out a few from personal stock), bedeck yourselves and bike with holiday lights and cheer (PREVIEW; leader will be "Rudolph-a" replete with antlers and red lights up front).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: YOU MUST HAVE AND WEAR A MASK WHEN NECESSARY ON ALL 5BBC RIDES AS INDICATED BY THE RIDE LEADER. THIS RIDE HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF SPENDING SOME PERIOD OF TIME INDOORS. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE AND JOIN ANY INDOOR ACTIVITY, YOU MUST BE MASKED, VACCINATED AND BRING PROOF OF VACCINATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE 5BBC MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE VACCINATION STATUS OF ANYONE ON THE RIDE OR ENGAGED IN ANY ACTIVITY, INDOOR OR OUT. THE RISK INVOLVED IN ANY ACTIVITY ON THE RIDE IS ASSUMED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL RIDER.