On Christmas morning, a group of enthusiastic cyclists some dressed in Christmas-themed colors or attire made the most of San Diego’s emptier-than-usual roads as part of a decades-long tradition.
The San Diego Bicycle Club held its 31st annual Christmas Day Orphan Ride, which began in 1990 as a way to bring together people who might not have a plan on how to spend the holiday morning, said organizer Ralph Elliot.
“The idea is for people that don’t have anything better to do on Christmas,” he said. “And those who maybe don’t have a family, children or significant others.”
The 25-mile ride starts at Elliot’s house in Golden Hill. Early Wednesday, about 30 bikers gathered for coffee before pedaling around San Diego bay and boarding the Coronado ferry for the return trip.
Part of the beauty, Elliot said, is that there’s basically no traffic. “There’s even less traffic than on Super Bowl Sunday,” he said. “The roads are just car-free, so it’s really a unique thing.”
Elliot, 73, said that when the cycling group started the annual ride, they had perhaps a dozen participants. But over the years, the event has grown and become a tradition for some. Elliot even noted that over the years, two couples have met at the event and are still married.
“This is a chance to just come out and have a good time, and maybe meet somebody 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 United Kingdom. Petitt is visiting San Diego with her husband as they sought out sunny weather for the holidays.
She said they found out about the event online, so they rented some bikes and joined the 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 as well.”
For some, the event is also about a sense of family and community, but also an opportunity to share in the fun of one of their passions.
“We’re all family,” said Fred Nicolet, 73, who has participated in the annual ride for decades. “We all ride bikes and we’ve been hanging out together for years.”
Alyssa Freas and her fiancé, Daniel De Schepper, met at La Jolla Cove 11 years ago and have made the annual ride part of their holiday traditions. 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 formed friendships 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 come over for some food later at her place.
Freas praised the work Elliot has done for the community with this and other events, like their past Holiday Toy Ride to benefit families served by The Salvation Army. “He’s been bringing cycling, and safety, and spirit to the San Diego community through his love and passion for cycling.”
