Bonham, Texas -- A little rain didn't dampen the spirits of hundreds of bicyclists as the 40th anniversary of the Autumn in Bonham bicycle rally rolled out of town Saturday morning, headed for the gentle rolling hills of rural Fannin County.

A wide variety of routes allowed cyclists of all ages and levels of experience to enjoy a day in the peaceful countryside.

Riders could choose from paved road rally routes of 4 miles, 30 miles, 40 miles, 65 miles, and 100 miles, or tackle gravel rally routes of 47 miles and 67 miles. For novices or families that wanted to ride together, a 2.7-mile family route was included.

Sally and Bert Simpson had a dream to bring a one-of-a-kind cycling event to Bonham, and that dream became a reality in 1986 when Autumn in Bonham bicycle rally was established.

Over the years, Autumn in Bonham Festival has grown to feature games, vendors, food, and music. A free concert by the Cassanovas and sponsored by Deuces Wild entertained the audience from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

photos by Allen Rich