Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

12 Number of consecutive bike rides — aptly called "The 12 Days of Christmas" — that the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia has organized from Dec. 20 to 31. The rides, which will vary between 30 and 50 miles, start each day at 10 a.m. at Bruno's, 9800 Germantown Ave., in Chestnut Hill. Visit phillybikeclub.org for more info. Sorry, you have only nine days to train.

12 Height, in inches, of Posters for the People: Art of the WPA, a new title from Philly publisher Quirk Books that features nearly 500 of the Works Progress Administration posters — some of which promoted landmarks like the Philadelphia Zoo — that were produced by out-of-work artists during the Great Depression. It's a bit steep at $50, but at least it can be burned for warmth whenever the next Depression arrives. Order at quirkbooks.com.

12 Date in December — before midnight on Dec. 13, that is — by which you must vote for your top music picks of 2008 at XPN.org to be entered in XPN's Year in Review Contest. Each entry will be entered in a random drawing to win a 32-gig iPod Touch loaded with the Year in Review's top 100 songs and top 10 albums — each of which are punctuated by unskippable four-hour fund-drive podcasts.

12 Width, in feet, of Mother Ginger's 8-foot dress — from under which eight " Polychinelle" children will emerge — making it the largest costume in the Pennsylvania Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, which runs Dec. 12-31 at the Academy of Music at Broad and Locust. It'll be like watching Jon and Kate Plus 8, only slightly less horrifying. Visit paballet.org for tickets and info.

12 Maximum number of letters that can be added to the back of the jersey on the customizable Phillies photo being offered by brookstone.com — which can be personalized to make it look like you were the player congratulated by Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins after crossing home plate. Looks like yet another sad Christmas for the grouchy and unfortunately long-named Burgermeister Meisterburger. Order by Dec. 11 to ensure holiday delivery.

Hey ... can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com