Parade Route

A short ride with a holiday theme was the ticket today. And of course there were hills to climb.

The rider who joined me assured me that a particular “short-cut” was legit, and after completing our final climb we passed through an open-space gate to clamber up some rocks, enjoying our snacks with a view.

Our holiday reward was the 61st annual Los Gatos Children's Christmas Parade. The Recreation Department even had a balloon!

A crowd (and personal) favorite is the irreverent Cucuzza Squash Drill Team. Tottering out-of-step down the street, wielding their vegetables with Italian music blaring, they are nothing short of hilarious.

There were marching bands and dance troups, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts and Indian Princesses. Rowers rowed (on machines) under the canopy of a racing shell.

Canine Companions for Independence walked alongside their humans. Crowds filled the sidewalks to view more than 200 floats and groups parade through downtown.

The perennial highlight is Jiffy Market's float, which features a pair of daredevil ramps (along with a crew of certified daredevils). The first rider raced down the street, launched into the air, landed and pedaled on. [Child's play, comparatively speaking.] His compatriots launched higher, one spinning a twist and the other flipping a full 360º in the air before touching down.

As for me, I strive to keep both wheels, upright, in contact with the pavement. I was more than content to cover 17 miles and climb 1,825 feet.

But who doesn't love a parade?