San Diego cyclists consider annual ride a Christmas tradition – San Diego Union-Tribune

On Christmas morning, a group of enthusiastic cyclists, some dressed in holiday colors or clothing, made the most of San Diego’s emptier streets as part of a decades-long tradition.

The San Diego Bicycle Club held its 31st annual Christmas Day Orphan Ride, created in 1990 to bring together people who may not have a plan for how to spend the holiday morning, said organizer Ralph Elliot.

“The idea is for people who have nothing better to do at Christmas,” he said. “And those who may not have family, children or significant others.”

The 25-mile ride begins at Elliot’s home in Golden Hill. Early Wednesday, about 30 bikers gathered for coffee before cycling across San Diego Bay and boarding the Coronado ferry for the return trip.

Part of the beauty, Elliot said, is that there is essentially no traffic. “There’s even less traffic than there was on Super Bowl Sunday,” he said. “The streets are just car-free, so that’s really unique.”

Elliot, 73, said when the cycling group began the annual ride it had perhaps a dozen participants. But over the years the event has grown and become a tradition for some. Elliot even noted that two couples over the years have met at the event and are still married.

“This is a chance to just get out and have a good time and maybe meet someone or talk to someone you don’t know,” he said.

Among the riders this year was Amelia Petitt, 29, who lives in Chicago but is originally from the UK. Petitt is visiting San Diego with her husband as they were looking for sunny weather for the holidays.

She said they found out about the event online, so they rented a few bikes and went for a ride. “It’s a good community thing,” she said. “Not everyone has family on Christmas Day, so it’s nice to have something else to do.”

For some, the event is also about a sense of family and community, but also the opportunity to share the fun of one of their passions.

“We’re all family,” said Fred Nicolet, 73, who has attended the annual ride for decades. “We all ride bikes and have been hanging out together for years.”

Alyssa Freas and her fiancé Daniel De Schepper met in La Jolla Cove 11 years ago and made the annual trip part of their vacation tradition. De Schepper, 63, is originally from Belgium and Freas, 61, has lived in San Diego for over 30 years, so the couple often traveled back and forth between the two countries.

The couple has made friends within the group. Freas said she comes to support those who don’t have plans for Christmas, and she usually invites those who want to stop by her house later and grab a bite to eat.

Freas praised the work Elliot has done for the community with this and other events, such as the recent holiday toy drive to benefit families served by the Salvation Army. “Through his love and passion for cycling, he brings cycling, safety and spirit to the San Diego community.”