If you’ve ever visited Doheny State Beach on a Thursday or Saturday morning, you might have seen a lively group of cyclists cruising by, clad in bright yellow jackets.
These are the Yellow Jackets, a senior biking group from the Reata Glen retirement community in San Juan Capistrano. Recently, the group was featured in the Orange County Register.
Several times a week, these Reata Glen residents go on a 12 to 16-mile trek. Their route often takes them to Dana Point or the bike path next to Los Patrones Parkway, beginning and ending at the Reata Glen clubhouse.
More Than Just a Ride: Building Friendships and Shared Connections
The Yellow Jackets bike club was established by Reata Glen resident Merrill (Mel) Clisby. Mel started the cycling group shortly after moving to Reata Glen in 2019, when the community first opened. Mel says his objective has always been to stay mobile, and the Yellow Jackets provide a fun and social way to go about it. Beyond cycling, Mel also started a bocce ball group and takes part in a walking group outside of Reata Glen.
What began as a vision has grown into a tight-knit group of men who share a passion for cycling, camaraderie, and staying in shape.
Member Bill Webster, a retired emergency room physician, has lived at Reata Glen since 2021.
“I hadn’t ridden a bike in years,” Bill shared with the Orange County Register. “But as I looked around and got to know the community, I saw more and more of these great bike paths we have around here, which are just fantastic. So I decided to get myself an e-bike.”
Retired salesman Mike Wolter was already an avid cyclist when he moved to Reata Glen, which made joining the Yellow Jackets a natural choice.
“I love the fact that we can ride on bike paths,” Mike told the Register. “And I like to ride to the beach, who doesn’t? But I like to ride inland, too, and get out in the fresh air and sunshine. It’s just a great place to ride bikes.”
Participating in the Yellow Jackets is just as much about nourishing the soul as it is about physical exercise.
“This group in particular is really important, because we laugh a lot,” founder Mel emphasized. “That’s a big factor.” The camaraderie extends beyond the ride itself, as Bill explains: “The fun thing is we ride out to the far end of the route, whether it’s the beach or whether it’s inland, and then we stop, and then we discuss the ride, and then we tell jokes and we give each other a bad time. We talk about the world and how we think it should be done.”
The Yellow Jackets prove that aging is not what many people think. Mike, for example, isn’t just a Yellow Jacket – he also leads the water volleyball club, plays pickleball every day, and is a regular at Saturday night karaoke! His robust lifestyle, along with that of other residents of Reata Glen, is reshaping how the Baby Boomer generation views and experiences retirement living.
It’s this commitment to an active and engaging lifestyle that explains why The Orange County Register readers voted Reata Glen the Best Retirement Community in OC.
Enjoy the Ride of Your Life at Reata Glen
Residents like Mel, Mike, Bill, and the rest of the Yellow Jackets note that Reata Glen provides more than just a place to live. It’s an award-winning Life Plan Community where residents can grow, connect, and pursue whatever makes them happy.
Located in sunny South Orange County, Reata Glen offers residents 60 acres of beautiful homes, striking architecture, resort-like amenities and lush landscaping to explore and enjoy. The community is just minutes from San Clemente State Beach, Dana Point, historic downtown San Juan Capistrano, and its popular shopping and dining district.
Contact us online or call 949-545-2200 to schedule your personalized tour. Let’s ride where every path leads to adventure.
