The 11th Annual Jingle Ride
Eleven years ago, on a ride with one of my staff members, I had this crazy idea to bring together my love of parades, caroling and cycling into one colorful event: The Jingle Ride. It started out with a couple dozen enthusiastic riders at our home in Arlington and has evolved as one of Ciclismo Classico’s favorite events. Through slush, frigid weather and balmy days of fresh snow, this 20 mile ride from Arlington to downtown Boston and back has NEVER been cancelled. On warmer days we have had as many as 100 riders but even on the coldest days, like today, we have had at least 50 cyclists gather in costume and ready to share good tidings and belt out their favorite Holiday tunes. The event, that raises money for Cycle Kids, has been covered by the Boston Globe, the Herald, The Arlington Advocate and now my little BLOG.
Today’s event had 55 cyclists and one amazing inline skater, Tom Keene who marshaled the route. We were also graced with the presence of Cristiano Bonino, one of our guides from Piedmont, Italy. Bravo Cristiano. Valentina and I on our co-motion tandem, led the parade down its traditional course and caroling stops. We started in Arlington Center and rode down the minuteman bikeway, down Mass Ave to Harvard Square where we launched our caroling with Feliz Navidad, Santa Clause is coming to town and others. Due to construction and ice, we then proceeded down the Memorial side of the Charles River bikepath and crossed the Mass Ave bridge to the Hatchshell where took our traditional group photo and gave out prizes to the best costumes.
Crossing Storrow Drive, we sang Santa Claus is Coming to town and Winter Wonderland as we rode down Charles St. The smiles that we brought to weary shoppers faces is always worth the trip. We stop at the frog pond to serenade the ice skaters. A photographer from the Herald was there so stay tuned to this week’s paper! Onto Downtown crossing where we invaded the cobblestone streets with our collective rendition of Jingle Bell Rock…now we are cooking! People take pictures, sing along, point us out to their crying kids. We work hard to get even the grumpiest shoppers to smile. It doesn’t take much when you you are dressed in red, have a beard and are riding a bike. Some lunch and warm drinks in our bellies and we followed a horse and carriage to Faneuil Hall which was filled with color and sound. From here we headed back through the public gardens and down Newbury St for our traditional singing of the 12 days of Christmas. We usually make it to seven swans a swimming before we all go a bit brain dead but this year, one thoughtful jingler brought a copy of the song for each Jingler. Even with tired voices and even more tired and cold bodies, the spirit was high!
We ended the ride pedaling back to Arlington via Central Square and Mass Ave and many versions of We are Having A Wonderful Christmas Time. Back to our house for our Post Jingle Party. Nothing like piping Hot Lasagne, some red wine and a warm fire to end this wonderful event. Thank you loyal Jingle Riders! Thank you Joe, Erika, Jewel, Cristiano, Rachel, Natascia, Lili, Mauro, my crazy but enthusiastic kids and everyone who helped make our 11th Jingle Ride a Huge Success! See you next year! Happy Holidays!
Everett Potter Interviews BICI PAZZA for his monthly Travel Report
I am honored to have been interviewed by Everett Potter, one of the country’s finest travel writers is his Everett Potter’s Travel Report.
Everett Potter is a columnist for USA Weekend magazine, which is distributed to more than 600 newspapers and has 23 million readers. He is a contributing editor for Ski, a contributing editor to Luxury Spa Finder, and a monthly columnist for both Diversion and Laptop magazines. Potter is a frequent contributor to National Geographic Traveler, ForbesTraveler.com and Forbes Life.
His writing has appeared in a variety of other publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler, Conde Nast Traveller UK, Outside, Elle Decor, Centurion, Bride’s, National Geographic Adventure, Food & Wine, Aspen Magazine, Metropolitan Home, Manhattan inc., Delta Sky and Town & Country. From 1988 through 2005, Potter authored a weekly, nationally syndicated column that was distributed by The New York Times Syndicate. From 1993 to 1997, he was the first contributing editor for travel to SmartMoney: The Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business.
Potter has made guest appearances on NBC’s Today Show, CNN, CNBC, CBS, Fox, Bloomberg Radio and NPR’s All Thing Considered.
Enjoy the interview and his wonderfully informative BLOG. Happy Travels. Lauren
My life has revolved around cycling for as long as I can remember. My company Ciclismo Classico, the bicycle tour specialists, is now in its 20th year and inspires people of all ages to embrace cycling as an inspiring part of their daily lives. - Lauren Hefferon (AKA Bici Pazza)
