As we head into the heart of the holiday season, it’s time to acknowledge that the usual Christmas carol might not resonate with everyone in our classes. If you’re considering a holiday-themed ride but want to steer clear of the typical lineup of songs that seem to blare through every speaker at office buildings, coffee shops, shopping centers, doctors’ offices, and even our clubs’ lobbies, it may be time to venture into the Winter Wonderland of beats with a twist.
Have you ever explored the world of “A Very Bootie Christmas” (AVBC)? Imagine merging your favorite holiday classics with unexpected non-holiday tracks—a game-changer for sure! Now, a little heads-up: these tracks aren’t for everyone; they are rebels, pushing the boundaries of convention (and…ahem…legality). Proceed with caution and a knowing smile. I’ve been using tracks from AVBC for almost 20 years because they are fun and irreverent and different…but, I only ever do this for my Christmas playlist.
Below, you can find my latest holiday profile called Holiday Hills and Valleys.
The playlist for this energetic, hilly ride incorporates five of these “bootie” songs. Since the digital MP3 files are on my computer’s drive, I have to use iTunes when I’m teaching this profile because these five songs (or any of the bootie mashups on the AVBC website) cannot be found on any streaming service. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of them and include them in this profile, you’ll have to download the MP3s directly to your computer. If you use Apple Music, it’s easy to incorporate these into your playlist from iTunes. If you use Spotify, you’ll have to direct Spotify to access your library on your computer. (You can read about how to do that here.)
If that sounds like too much work or using “bootie” mashups is not your thing, not a problem—you can scroll through our bucket playlist below with almost 350 holiday songs and replace those with other festive songs that speak to you. Or, fill these spots with non-holiday tracks to make sure you don’t overwhelm your class with too much holiday cheer!
Speaking of that holiday bucket playlist, I added almost 50 new tracks last season after perusing hundreds of songs on Spotify and close to 40 more this year—yes, I spent all that time so you don’t have to! When adding newer tracks, I try to avoid the sappy and more traditional holiday songs and only include ones that lend themselves well to indoor cycling—plus a few that are good for cool-downs. To find the newer ones, simply sort the playlist in Spotify by “Date Added” to discover the latest gems and keep your playlist as dynamic as your classes.
I’ll be completely honest—if it weren’t for bootie Christmas mashups and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I probably wouldn’t teach a holiday ride. Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is a symphonic progressive metal American rock band (that’s quite the combo!) that pushes the boundaries of rock opera. Their high-energy Christmas tunes will have your riders pedaling like never before, adding a touch of rock ‘n’ roll merged with classical to your holiday playlist!
Below, you’ll find my favorite Trans-Siberian Orchestra track along with a hand-picked selection of fresh holiday tunes to shake up your usual playlist. And that’s just the start—scroll to the end of the post for our full holiday bucket playlist, packed with a gazillion more festive tracks! Don’t miss our links to the other ICA holiday rides and fun seasonal profile suggestions below.
A Mad Russian’s Christmas, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 4:42, 135 bpm
This is my favorite TSO track. I just love how the song takes off at 1:14 as you visualize climbing a snowy slope!
I Won’t Be Home for Christmas, blink-182, 318, 100 bpm
Looking for something cheeky to cut through the holiday sweetness? This irreverent punk-pop hit is perfect for a high-intensity, high-cadence push that keeps your riders laughing and breathing hard.
Gifts for Me, Meghan Trainor, 2:30, 128 bpm
Gifts for me? Don’t mind if we do! This upbeat 2025 bop brings big swagger to your ride—great for a punchy climb, playful jumps, or anything that gets your riders grinning.
Holly Jolly Good Time, Tyler James Bellinger, 3:15, 160 bpm
If you want to kick things off with instant cheer, this is your go-to. Its bright, infectious energy makes it a perfect warm-up track to set the mood and get everyone smiling from the first pedal stroke.
Take Me Home for Christmas, Dan + Shay, 3:23, 93 bpm
Warm, cozy, and downright charming, this one slips beautifully into a warm-up or a fast moderate flat. It sets the tone without overwhelming the room—holiday spirit, gently delivered.
That Spirit of Christmas, Larry Fleet, 3:34 83 bpm
A bluesy, soulful newcomer that feels like a breath of fresh air amid the holiday standards you’ve worn out over the years. Perfect for a smooth cool-down that leaves riders relaxed and glowing.
Small Town Santa, Sammy Ariaga, 2:46, 88 bpm
Cowboy boots? Check. Loyal dog? Check. This country-holiday charmer has just enough kick to bridge efforts between tougher intervals—or crank things up and let it carry you right to the holiday finish line.
Sleigh Ride, David Archuleta, 2:38, 86 bpm
Bright, buoyant, and brand-new for 2025, this modern take on a classic vibe makes a fun addition to any fast flat. Use it for a light recovery or a moderate reset that keeps the energy high while giving riders a breather.
Run Run Rudolph, Reba McEntire, 3:05, 158 bpm
A longtime favorite for holiday rides thanks to its upbeat, totally secular vibe—now with Reba’s 2025 country twist. Her spirited version brings extra kick and charm, making it perfect for a high-cadence burst or a spirited chase to the finish.
We have two more Christmas profile options for the holidays, plus some ideas for a non-Christmas-y ride that still fits the season of joy…
In 2024, Julianne created a brand-new holiday ride called The Ho Ho Hustle—A Christmas Profile! Packed with seasonal tunes (and a few laughs), this profile features two moderate-to-hard working segments that build in intensity. Along the way, your riders will pedal their hearts out to help save Christmas—and celebrate when the mission is a success. If you’re looking for something different this year, try Julianne’s engaging ride.
We also have a fun and engaging story-based secular holiday ride from our archives by Bill Pierce called “Ridin’ for Rudolph“ in our archives. It’s a ton of fun—Santa’s reindeer are sick so you volunteer to go to the North Pole to help pull Santa’s sleigh! But heads up, quite a few songs are no longer available on Spotify, so you’ll have to peruse our bucket playlist to fill out the playlist with similar songs you enjoy.
As instructors, we know the importance of creating a ride that speaks to everyone. If the usual Christmas tunes aren’t hitting the right notes with you or your riders, why not opt for a Winter Solstice ride or kick off the New Year celebrations a bit early?
Remember, the holiday season is all about spreading joy and good vibes. I’d love to hear what you’re planning for December in your classes—share your ideas and experiences in the comments below! 🚴♀️✨🎅
ICA members can scroll down to find the Holiday Hills and Valleys profile and playlist below, plus our massive Christmas bucket playlist.
And if you’ve got any favorite non-traditional holiday tracks or unique spins on festive rides, don’t keep them to yourself—let’s create a winter playlist together! Keep pedaling and spreading that holiday cheer! 🎶🚴♂️✨🎅
Holiday Hills and Valleys Express Profile (PDF and Excel)
The Link for Ridin’ with Rudolph is not working. Thanks
Hey Martyn, I originally removed the link this year because there are so many songs not available on Spotify. However, thanks to your inquiry and since it is such an engaging and fun profile, I added it back with a note about those five missing songs. Simply replace them with some of the awesome options in our bucket playlist. You’ll find the link in the above post, towards the bottom of the page. I’m glad you asked about it! Thanks, and Merry Christmas!