Santa's Bicycle Touring Adventure
Christmas is rapidly approaching and with it comes the desire to do something a litle bit different just to add my own touch of fun to the mix!
I can recall in a previous year dressing up as Santa Claus complete with the red suit, beard and hat and going for a windsurfing session on Lake Erie during Boxing Day. That day was magical, not only due to the suit or the three little kids who I spotted watching me on shore but also because the wind, waves and weather cooperated to make a fun situation into an epic sailing session.
(As an aside after spotting the three kids I took to yelling "Ho Ho Ho" each time I approached shore! I swear that their eyes got even bigger as they saw Santa taking a break the day after Christmas by windsurfing amongst the ice floes!)
This year I am starting to think about getting in to the Christmas spirit by dressing up my icebike with lights, garland and of course someone dressed as Santa Claus navigating the streets to work on Christmas Eve. If the weather stays ice and snow free then I just might dress up the touring bicycle instead and give Santa a ride that he will never forget.
Will I do it? Stay tuned. If I can find the parts and creativity then this page will continue to be updated with plans and pictures.
To me touring and christmas are about having fun. Why not mix them together?
Who knows, perhaps Jakub the elf will also get involved!
There are likely some that might wonder about how this day ride ties in with the concept of a bicycle tour. It's true that most bicycle tours involve multiple day journeys to places far, far away. Sometimes a bicycle tour carries you only a short physical distance but a much longer mental distance away from your everyday existence.
This tour will be about the latter. Instead of commuting to work as another faceless rider this time I will be riding with the Christmas spirit and truly enjoying an out of the ordinary experience. Isn't that truly what bicycle touring is also all about?
Almost two weeks have passed since I originally wrote the initial part of this page. It's been a busy two weeks! Last Sunday I attended the Kid's christmas party at work as the Corporate Santa which was an incredibly fun thing to do despite the occassional crying 1 - 3 year old and the skeptical 9 - 12 year olds. My booming Ho Ho Ho successfully saw me through. On Wednesday the company split us up into groups and asked us to dress up in a way that reflects Christmas. My group decided to go beyond Christmas and instead have representation of some of the major cultures and celebrations worldwide including Ramadan, St. Lutia, Hannakah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Quebec Winter Carnival, Buon Natale and christmas in Jamaica, California and Scotland. It was a very interesting and enriching experience with an emphasis on treating all of the celebrations with respect. |
Three pictures showing the holiday spirit coming alive. |
Preparations for Santa's bicycle ride are well underway. His suit is ready, lots of Christmas garland, tinsel and balls are ready to be attached to his IceBike. To increase visibility and enjoyment battery powered light strings and a battery powered fiber optic Christmas tree are ready to go.
All that remains is to decide on the actual day of the ride, prepare the bike and have some fun! Yippee!
The ride is all set for tomorrow (Dec 22, 2004). Jakub and I spent the evening preparing the bikes with tinsel, battery powered Christmas tree lights, battery powered fiber optic christmas trees and lots of raindeer bells.
The Santa Suit fits (although a bit snugly, I must have taken my Santa training too seriously lately). The Elf costume is also ready to go!
Tomorrow we will ride twice.
The first ride will be in the morning daylight hours (starting at about 8 just north of Fanshawe Park road) and will include a ride south on Adelaide Street to Cheapside, Cheapside to Waterloo, Waterloo to Central, Central to Dufferin with arrival at Dufferin and Richmond in London, Ontario, Canada.
The second ride will occur starting at 5 o'clock at night in the darkness hours basically completing the ride in reverse order starting at Dufferin and Richmond. An extra loop through Victoria Park will be added at the start.
The theme of the ride is "Santa's reindeers are on strike and Santa is investigating alternatives including Icebiking". Tomorrow's ride through London is a test ride prior to the big event on Christmas Eve.