Over the years, a Terrill family bike ride emerged as a fun part of our celebrating. Last year it moved up a notch as the men in the family took a serious bike ride of 30 miles. Prior to that, it had involved up and back on the bike path in Duarte - with tandem bikes, and little kids on bikes, lots of odd sizes and kinds of bikes.
This year Bruce and Harry F. got serious about planning something a little more extensive and inclusive. The result was a resounding success as adults, teens, and even Annika, participated in the ride.
It started at our house, where the beginning contingent rode to the bike path and took the trail from there to Seal Beach.
Meanwhile, Phoebe was tending Rhoda, a babysitter was with Harry and Dawn's kids, and David got called into work! So Ella and I drove to the beach, Eliza and her kids drove to the beach, and Phoebe drove her van with her kids and Rhoda to the beach.
And we all met up at the Corner Bakery there, where we enjoyed a late breakfast.
While all this was going on, some riders switched places so that those who weren't interested in such a long ride could drive home with someone. The others rode their bikes back.
Bonny and I drove a "support vehicle" that tracked the return run and allowed the younger kids to only need to ride 10 or 15 miles instead of 36, as we met up at different points. I will say that Bonny is superlative navigator - I distributed water, bananas, and granola bars!
It was a beautiful day - we could not have asked for nicer weather. And in spite of the fact that we were paralleling a freeway, it was lovely and scenic a lot of the time.
We did have a time finding a gas station with diesel - for Bonny's car - but other than that, all ran smoothly.
Bruce really is the "main man" when it came to logistics - we owe him a big shout out! We all met up at home to consume 7 large pizzas from Monrovia Pizza Company - the Terrill venue of choice for pizza - and root beer floats - left over from New Year's Eve. (I've got these postings out of order in case you didn't notice!! This bike ride was on January 2nd.)
Bruce hustled back to Santa Monica to return the rented bikes, but the rest of us enjoyed a movie night with Breaking Away.
I'm thinking this tradition is cementing itself into our holiday planning - it was a lot of fun and everyone seemed happy. (I think David didn't really mind missing the ride because he had to work!! He had our house to himself too! Solitude has its perks when you've been spending time traveling!!)
Don't expect me to be riding anytime soon - I know my role - support personnel - and I magnify it!!
