Friend of WWBPA and Princeton Free Wheeler Howie Luxenberg generously consented to have his letter to the editor of the Times of Trenton, published December 11, 2011, reprinted here. Enjoy – the picture shows Santa in the middle surrounded by his helpers – you know it’s him because of the beard and his indifference to cold. Thanks Howie!
A white-bearded fellow masquerading as Santa Claus has been spotted pedaling a bicycle in the area around Hightstown. Sometimes he waves, sometimes he smiles, but often he does nothing but look straight ahead while pedaling furiously.
His outfit, if I can call it that, consists of some kind of helmet, black tights and a yellow jacket, which makes him look like a bee in hot pursuit of honey.
Can it be that the real Santa actually lives in the Central Jersey area and spreads his merry cheer on a two-wheeled vehicle rather than a sleigh? If so, parents and grandparents must quickly advise the little ones that Rudolph has caught cold and Santa this year will be arriving on a less traditional mode of transportation.
He was seated astride a red bicycle, seemingly riding without a care in the world and probably heading nowhere in particular but just enjoying the festive environment that always fills the holiday season. He was rather tall, but not stocky. If anything, he would probably rank as one of the skinniest Santas from the North Pole. But his size really doesn?t matter to children, who would only see him as perhaps a different and unusual kind of fun-loving Santa.
You just had to see his full, white beard, which practically covered his entire face. His nose and cheeks were red, probably from the biting crosswinds he encountered while cycling. If this wasn?t Santa, he was wearing quite a nice disguise. Yes, this was Mr. Claus and, upon seeing him, any child would certainly have yelled, ?Mommy, Mommy, there is Santa on a bicycle!?
This kind of Christmas hero is likely to attract hundreds of smiling children as he treks through the area.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
— Howie Luxenberg,
Hamilton