Consider the amoeba – a single cell organism containing all the
functions of life within a single membrane; nucleus (control), ingestion of nutrients,
and elimination of waste. That’s right, all amoeba, like people, have one.
Amoeba move via protoplasmic flow, or extending pseudopods in any given
direction and the rest of the cell following along. Ingestion of nutrients is
via phagocytosis, extending pseudopods to encircle prey or scavenged materials.
Reproduction is most famously achieved via asexual binary fission.
The amoeba pulls in all pseudopods to form a more circular cell, the nucleus
then splits and the pieces separate to opposite ends of the cell and the cells
splits in two. Our lady riders will be pleased to know that these two cells are
known as daughter cells. Thus the
amoeba is cloned and the two cells move along to their purpose.
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| Typical Amoeba |
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| Atypical bikes for today's Amoeba Run |
Tim Robertson suggested the analogy a few days before our 2017 New
Year’s Day ride to Duke’s in Malibu for their Sunday Breakfast Buffet. It was
with this analogy in mind that I met up with the other riders at the Mobile
Station in Newberry Park for New Year’s hugs all around - Tim and his excellent
wife Bev, Jed and his amazing Sue, Shawn, the incomparable Vicki, and myself. This
group of riders fits the Amoeba analogy to a tee. We formed up and rode through
Potrero Canyon to Oxnard where we made a stop at the Point Mugu Missile Park
for a photo op.
I rode sweep for this first section, a position in the ride group
I rather like. I suppose it is the mother-hen part of my personality, or better
yet, the sheepdog part. Or maybe I just like having everyone in front so they
don’t see my goofs on the road. This all changed when we reformed the group after
the amoeba stretched out a bit coming off PCH onto the Mulholland Highway. At
that point Vicki took the sweep and was treated to a couple of deviations on my
part; nothing serious as I could see that I had a clear enough road to come
back into the lane. I guess even in the bits of the amoeba cell can get too close
to each other and cause a spasm of sorts. I’d let the gap between me and Shawn
close a bit too much and didn’t have room to gracefully slow down into a curve
and went wide with my late reduction in speed. Ah well.
The day was ideal; chilly, but nothing reasonable cold-weather
gear couldn’t handle. And, even though we’d had some good rain the two days
prior, there was very little in the way of storm debris along the canyon roads
and everyone did the group ride thing of pointing out the occasional rock or
gravel for those following. We practiced a little phagocytosis at the Rock
Store when Todd, who had just finished his breakfast, saw us coming and jumped
on his Vision to take the sweep from there to Duke’s in Malibu. He helped round
out our table for eight for the very good buffet, stimulating conversation, and
a stunning view of the Pacific.
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| Arrival at Duke's Malibu |
As with any group ride, goodbyes are said before everyone mounts
up for the last leg of the ride and this we did in the parking lot of Duke’s. The
amoeba reformed and headed north from Duke’s on PCH to catch Kanan Dume Road
heading to the interior. The process of binary fission started at Highway 101
and continued on until every rider and bike was at their home base, safe and
sound.
For all that; the ride, the riders, food, comradery, and most
importantly, the safe arrival home, I am well and truly thankful.
Vicki Peterson created a splendid video of our day, the link can
be found below.
Whenever you find yourself in a ride-group, remember the amoeba
and know that you perform a critical function to the organism, whatever it
might be, and keep the iron side up.
Peace
jerry
Vicki's well done video with great musical selections:
