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The article below was written by Bob Rasner’s daughter. I found out about Eleanor from Bob, who is a member of the same bicycle club that I am. Bob put out an email to the club looking for a trail-a-bike so that he can take his granddaughter on the Thanksgiving Meals On Wheels annual ride. Since my family has a trail-a-bike we quickly emailed Bob back to offer our trail-a-bike. We were excited with the effort Eleanor put into raising funds for Meals On Wheels, and we feel that she deserves a standing ovation. Great Job Eleanor!!!! All riders should follow Eleanor’s example and at least once a year go out and raise some money for a worth cause.

My dad, Bob Rasner, is an avid cyclist. He took a fleeting interest years ago following the summer stay of an Italian exchange student. On a visit to meet his family, Dad bought his first real road bike [and some old school Italian cycling apparel]. It was many years before the bug “bit” him, but, when it did, it bit him hard.

As any enthusiast, Dad is always on the look-out for new cycling potentials. My oldest daughter, Eleanor, seemed a prime candidate this past summer — 6 years old, fearless and in possession of a “pink pudding”
bicycle. Dad arrived for summer holiday in rural CT with a full cycling kit for Eleanor — shorts, jersey, etc. She now refuses to ride any other way! It only took a day to get her going on 2 wheels, and a few days of practice and she had the confidence to plow forward. Rest assured, he covered safety skills, etc.

Knowing we would be in LA for Thanksgiving, Dad planted the seed for doing the Meals on Wheels ride together. About a month before, Dad mentioned Eleanor might like to raise funds. She drafted a brief letter asking for money, and took her cause door-to-door in our apartment building and raised $59. When we landed on the scene, we were fortunate to have the support of La Grange — we had a bike, a small team jersey [and even a great pediatrician for her younger sister].

Dad and Eleanor rode together and I followed on a vintage Raleigh. We rode from home to the start of the ride to turn in our money and visit with other riders. We rode a few blocks of the course, and took a detour for hot chocolate a Peet’s. All in all, we rode about a dozen miles that morning.

It’s hard to pinpoint the best part of the whole thing. Eleanor was really proud to have raised money to help provide a Thanksgiving meal, but she also enjoyed the thrill of being on the bike with Grandpa.
I am pleased for both of them — it was such fun to watch them together. Hard to know who had the better time…