Officially, 75 registered riders took part, but organizers said they believe unregistered joiners swelled the ranks to around 100.

The temperature had risen to a balmy 35 degrees when the ride started — a far cry from the minus-30s Winter Carnival has seen so far, according to Weather Underground records. Therefore, many dressed down, showing skin and baring their arms.

Pedestrians and motorists gawked as a village police car turned on its siren to make way for the mayhem — a throng of hooting, hollering, thong-wearing bicycle riders.

It was absurdity as only co-organizers Bob Seidenstein and Jack Drury could craft. Seidenstein was all smiles, seeing his wild vision — one inspired by the Queen song “Bicycle Race” — come true.

Aggie Pelletieri of Saranac Lake grins as she rides in the inaugural Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza Sunday during the 2023 Winter Carnival. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

“It’s just so satisfying to see people come out and have fun,” Drury said.

He was glad to see some of the town and Carnival’s leadership among the biking crowd, including Harrietstown Supervisor Jordanna Mallach and Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Branch.

Seidenstein and Drury said they would be fools to not hold this event again next Carnival. They plan to make it an annual event. Branch also said he hopes it continues. Seidenstein said he didn’t realize how much work putting this on would be, but he’s glad to do it again.

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CORRECTION: A photo caption in an earlier version of this article incorrectly identified a man riding in the Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza as Tim Reilly; it was actually his brother, Dan Reilly. The Enterprise regrets the error.

With a red union suit beneath his swim trunks, Addison Bickford of Rainbow Lake pumps his fist as he finishes the inaugural Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza Sunday during the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. (Enterprise photo — Lauren Yates)

Cyclists await the start of the inaugural Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza Sunday during the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. (Enterprise photo — Lauren Yates)

Doug Haney of Saranac Lake and his daughter Gwen, left, cruise to the finish of the inaugural Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza Sunday during the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. (Enterprise photo — Lauren Yates)

Recently deposed Winter Carnival King Dan Reilly bikes shirtless in the Blue Buns Wheel-a-palooza Sunday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)