Saturday morning, May 15, 2021 marked the inaugural Peer to Peer Bicycle adventure sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. This innovative and engaging event was an opportunity for participants to ride from the Huntington Beach Pier to the Newport Beach Pier while assisting each other answering riddles related to our Orthodox Faith and Holy Scripture. Rev. Father Gary Kyriacou, Pastor of the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries organized this first-time event as a means of mobilizing families from parishes in a fun outdoor event that emphasized teamwork and camaraderie.

Over 30 participants ranging in age from 6 to 60+ came out for the day, representing parishes throughout Southern California. Riders came from as far north as Camarillo, CA and as far south as San Diego, CA. The ride was approximately six miles long and started at the main plaza of the Huntington Beach Pier. At 10:00 a.m. the first clue was given for the participants to assist each other to get to the first Challenge station. The question was, “How many disciples did Jesus choose?” The answer, “12,” led the group to ride to Lifeguard station #12 where representatives from the Saint Sophia Camp staff challenged the participants to complete a series of “Charades” to earn the next clue.

The fun continued with stations along the route sponsored by the parishes of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach, Saint Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, CA, along with staff and volunteers from Saint Sophia Camp. Upon successful completion of the Peer to Peer ride, Saint John Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, CA gifted each rider a free Gyro and beverage at their “Festi-GO” event that took place that same day.

Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, parishes and clergy that assisted in making this inaugural Peer to Peer event a huge success! Plans are underway already for Peer to Peer 2022, incorporating suggestions from this year’s riders. Save the date for the Second Annual Peer to Peer scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2022. More details will be shared in the forthcoming months. Until then, get your bikes ready and start pedaling so you are in top form for Peer to Peer 2022!