NATCHEZ — The Natchez Bicycle Club took advantage of the weather conditions Tuesday night as club members cycled 16 miles during their fourth annual Christmas bike ride.

Allen Richard, club president, said during the fall and winter times the club’s riding times diminish because of weather conditions, but that this year was a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the warmer winter weather.

“Riding down Main Street, Memorial Park as well as all the other houses and seeing all the lights is particularly enjoyable on a bike,” Richard said. “This way you can slow down and look at them, and it’s a fun way to get out and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations.”

Curtis Moroney began a new tradition that caught on quickly last year by taking battery-powered Christmas lights and adorning them on his bicycle and helmet.

“With the weather being nice this year, we ran into quite a few people out on their front porches, walking down the neighborhoods or driving by and stopping to talk to us,” Moroney said. “You hear a lot of, ‘Hey look at that!’”

Moroney said the lights don’t interfere with his riding abilities, but he did get a little scared riding down a hill on Providence Road.

“I was pumping the brakes all the way down,” Moroney said. “I was just worried about the battery pack flying off or coming loose, but I’ll take them out before I do any serious rides.”

Both Richard and Moroney said they advocate for the ride every year and are always looking for new riders to join along.

“I wish more people would come with us because it’s a very casual ride,” Moroney said. “Anybody that rides regularly wouldn’t have any trouble doing it.”

The club uses a Yahoo group to post discussions and announcements that can be accessed at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/natchezbicycleclub.