At St. Albans Road in San Marino (Photo – Ernest Lee)
Elves on eleven speeds. Santas on Schwinns. Reindeer on road bikes. A medley of merry, festively attired participants of all ages and backgrounds met for a San Gabriel Valley tradition, the annual holiday lights community ride organized by Active San Gabriel Valley.
By Wesley Reutimann
After a year’s hiatus, the family-friendly ‘slow roll’ started in a new location in 2022, the Blossom Market Hall in the historic San Gabriel Mission District. From 4-5pm the public had an opportunity to be the first in the SGV to test ride the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments’ new electric assist bicycles. These bikes will make up the backbone of a regional e-bike share program in the San Gabriel Valley slated to launch in 2022.
Shortly after 5:30pm on-bike DJ Oso Pelligroso launched a set of holiday tunes, bike bells were rung, and more than 175 participants departed from the food hall, heading north towards the City of San Marino. The highlights of the 5-mile route were the illuminated deodars of St. Albans Road, one of the most festively decorated streets in the region. The San Marino tradition dates back almost 100 years to the Depression. After a brief stop to allow everyone a chance to catch up, enjoy the giant trees, and take photos, the group then looped back along neighborhood streets in San Marino and San Gabriel, enjoying the lights along the way. The ride concluded with a free raffle and social hour at the food hall. Riders also had a chance to help inform the development of the program by completing a brief e-bike survey.
Missed the fun? ActiveSGV’s next social ride is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2022, and will celebrate Lunar New Year.
In front of Blossom Market Hall in San Gabriel (Photo – Ernest Lee)
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