The 11th Annual Neighborhood Bike Ride will "Head for the Hills" this Saturday - or at least North Hills - as the family-friendly ride travels through several North Knoxville and Downtown North neighborhoods on this year's journey.

The ride leaves at 10:30 a.m., on October 22, from North Central Street just north of its intersection with Baxter Avenue in Happy Hollow. Sign in and free bicycle safety checks - along with bike helmet decorating - begin at 9:30 a.m.

As always on the Neighborhood Bike Ride, bike helmets are required and all ages and skill levels are welcome.

This year's route is a 10-mile ride that visits the North Hills, Fourth & Gill, Belle Morris and Edgewood Park neighborhoods. The ride will end at approximately noon, back on North Central where the Sixth Annual Happy Hollerpalooza Street Fair will be in full swing.

Families with small children and riders who aren't keen on hills can do a short route, which includes a fun-filled rest stop featuring activities for the kids. The shorter trip is about five miles.

All the bicyclists, whether they are going long or short, will be together for the start and end of the route, and there will be refreshments and more activities after the ride.

The 11th Annual Neighborhood Bike Ride is sponsored by the City of Knoxville and the Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program.

More information about the ride, including a route map, is available at www.knoxtrans.org.

For more information about the Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program please go to www.facebook.com/bikeknoxville .