La Voix - November

Greetings La Grange Members, 

Your November newsletter includes a bit of news, recap on the October LG50, and dates for November club rides.

Ride safely,

Renée Fox, La Voix Editor

P.S. Have something else cycling-related you think would be interesting or beneficial to our members? Submit here to be considered for an upcoming newsletter.

Letter from the President

Hello Fellow La Grangers,
I can’t believe that we are already into November and that Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away.

In that spirit I wanted to share with you how grateful I am for the health to cycle and remain active, the camaraderie that La Grange provides me, the volunteers and my fellow board members who keep this wonderful community going and our sponsors who provide the funding for the programming that we are able to provide.

Those are all of the obvious ones for such an article. Less obvious is my gratitude for those drivers who show some patience when near us, and the mechanics who keep mine and all of our bicycles running (in my case the amazing team at our sponsor Helens), the street crews who take on the never ending task of keeping streets repaired as best they can (A never ending and Sisyphean task for sure), the first responders who show up when unfortunate accidents happen, the doctors and PT’s who tend to us when needed, the cycling coaches who come up with those torturous interval plans to improve our fitness and significant others who put up with our crazy, obsessive lifestyle and all the hours (and funds) we dedicate to cycling. I am particularly grateful to Trish who I get to ride and share this cycling lifestyle with.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and November and keep your eyes out for club announcements.

Larry

Club News

LG Board of Directors Elections

Greeting fellow members!

 La Grange continues to thrive and grow with programming and new members.  None of this is possible without an engaged team of volunteers and our volunteer board of directors officers. While there are endless times to get involved as a general volunteer, once a year and according to our bylaws, our members get to vote  and elect members to serve on the Board, and that time is now!

 This year, in accordance with the bylaws of VCLG, we will be holding elections for four (4) seats; each seat holds a two (2) year term on the Board of Directors. The four seats, in alphabetical order (last name), are currently held by:

Marco Fantone

Dan Funk
Dan Mitnick

Ryan Schmidt

 Current seat holders may choose to run for re-election to the Board but any Club member in good standing may run for one of the open seats. If you are passionate about La Grange, have been a member for two consecutive years or more and would like to be involved in shaping the direction of the Club I strongly encourage you to run. You can “enter the race” simply by submitting a self-nomination statement – nothing fancy, just a few words about yourself with a photo and why you’d like to be on the Board. (Since this is a volunteer position you can’t nominate someone else.)


The elections will run on the following schedule:

Now until November 6th: Open self nomination period

November 8th: Announcement of Candidates

November 9th to November 13th (Midnight): Voting period

November 15th: Results announced via email to members and on the La Grange website

December 9th : New Directors are seated at the monthly Board of Directors Meeting.


If you are not an active member or have never been one, please consider joining regardless of your decision to run or not and vote when that period opens.

** Voting will take place using an on-line platform. Access ballots and instructions will be sent to members by e-mail using the address currently in the LaGrange membership works system as of November 8th**


 The self-nomination period is now open! Please send your self-nomination statement by email to: nominations@lagrange.org  Don’t forget to attach a picture of yourself, which will be displayed with your statement on the website and on the digital ballot during the election.

Thank you for your participation.
Larry Goodman (President) and Amanda Beesley (Secretary) 


It’s La Grange Annual Banquet Time!

Can you believe it's already been a year? Where does the time go?

We're heading back to Del Rey Yacht Club, surrounded by boats on the water and sea lions barking in the background, to share stories and swap tales of another year of fun, adventures, and escapades on the bike!

For those new to La Grange, aside from our famous Piuma Climb and picnic, this is our biggest social event of the year. It's a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and celebrate another fantastic year together.

There will be a raffle, an opportunity to meet some of our wonderful sponsors, and, of course, Marco's famous collection of club jerseys dating back to the beginning of time!

A delicious Dinner Buffet includes:

  • Chicken Piccata

  • Pumpkin Gnocchi (vegetarian option)

  • Vegetables & Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes

  • DRYC Salad & Mixed Breadbasket

  • Tiramisu for dessert

      Cash bar available

Leave your wheels at home and bring your favorite Lycra widow or Lycra widower, friend, significant other, or fellow cyclist. (Thanks for putting up with us disappearing for hours on end!)

Please RSVP using the link below by November 12th so we can give the Yacht Club a headcount.

Location: Del Rey Yacht Club, 13900 Palawan Way, Marina del Rey
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Time: 5:00–8:00 PM
Tickets: $58 per person

We can't wait to see everyone, share some laughs, and celebrate another fantastic year with La Grange!

Come hungry, bring a smile, and let's celebrate!

Save the date for November’s monthly club rides:

November LG Women’s Ride- Route TBD November 21

November LG50- Route TBD November 28

Meals on Wheels Ride- Details to follow

Club Events Recap

October LG50 to Del Cerro Park

Photos above by various contributors

Thank you to Dan Mitnick and Larry Goodman for leading October’s LG50, Amanda and Jaycee for leading the b-group, Helen’s and to everyone who helped support the ride!


New Members:

La Grange, please give a warm welcome to our 3 new members who joined LA Grange in October: P. Gerhardt, S Marcorana, C. Parker.

Members:

Please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date. Visit https://www.lagrange.org/member-dashboard#myaccount to confirm that your phone number is current, and double check that your emergency contact name and phone number are accurate. This helps La Grange improve vendor access to membership verification and ensures that, in case of an emergency during a ride, a board member can quickly notify your emergency contact. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at membership@lagrange.org.

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

Keep-up with LG Rides, News & more on our Social Channels

  • LG Club on Instagram 

  • LG Race Team on Instagram 

  • LG on Strava 

  • LG on Facebook 

  • LG exclusive What’s App community for LG members only

    Join HERE and become part of the legacy of Velo Club La Grange, one of the oldest and most respected cycling clubs in California.

Support Our Sponsors

Caffe Luxxe

Celebrating 20 Years

Twenty years ago, what began as a simple dream between two best friends has become one of life's greatest privileges.

For us, coffee has always been about more than what's in the cup. It has always been our way of creating connection, celebrating community, and sharing una bella vita.

To our remarkable baristi, roasting team, farmer partners, and every guest who has welcomed us into your daily, you have shaped Caffe Luxxe into something far more meaningful than we ever imagined.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we do so with full hearts and profound gratitude. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day, your milestones, and the simple moments in between.

Here's to the friendships we've made, the memories still to be shared, and many beautiful years ahead.

With gratitude,

MARK & GARY

CO-FOUNDERS

Santa Monica Brew Works

Santa Monica’s First and Only Brewery.





THANK YOU to all of our sponsors!

ACTS Law, Personal Injury Lawyers
APEX Law, Real Estate and Business Litigation
Caffe Luxxe, Artisanal Coffee Roasters Gentle Jaw, A passive stretching device for acute and chronic tmj and jaw pain John Fox Fine Painting, Exquisite finishes and bespoke murals Helen’s Cycles, Local Community Bike Shop
Lee Ziff, Real Estate Pedal Mafia, Killer Cycling Apparel Rudy Project, Italian-Made Helmets and Eyewear The Feed, #1 Source for Performance Nutrition TriFit LA, Fitness and Performance Center
4iiii Powermeters, Harness the Power Santa Monica Brew Works, Santa Monica’s First and Only Brewery








La Voix - October 2026

Greetings La Grange Members, 

Your October newsletter includes a bit of news, recaps on the LG Piuma Hillclimb and Annual Club Picnic, dates for October club rides and a nice article from a club member on their World Cup experience in Montreal.

Ride safely,

Renée Fox, La Voix Editor

P.S. Have something else cycling-related you think would be interesting or beneficial to our members? Submit here to be considered for an upcoming newsletter.

Letter from the President

Hello La Grange,

Did you watch the World Cycling Championship road race? Wow!!

To me, it was not only exciting but also inspirational. To see Brandon McNulty, a member of the US squad win was great, but how he won was amazing.

Of course, Brandon won because of years of training, but teamwork had a huge part in the victory. The 8-member team each had roles to do and had been competing with each other from another SoCal based team since they were teenagers. This includes Sean Quinn, who, as you know, often rode with La Grange.

While not a race, this reminds me of La Grange and how great our club and community are. Our membership is made up of cyclists who have been riding together for many years. And via the WhatsApp boards, I love seeing how you all cheer each other on for great rides, fondos, and life. Our junior team is in the act too.

Let’s keep supporting each other and especially the juniors as we work toward our goals.

Thanks,

Larry

Club News

LG October Social

Hey LG'rs, it's been a while.

Come on out for a few laughs, see old friends, and make new friends at our LG October Social!

We will meet outside under the stars at the back bar of The Cloverfield Restaurant in the SM Airport Complex.

There is plenty of parking behind the restaurant. Feel free to bring friends, family or anyone you might think is interested in coming out for a fun evening.

When: Wednesday, October 21st

⏰ 6:30PM until ?

Where: 🍽 The Cloverfield

📍 3300 Airport Ave,

Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA

Who: YOU and whomever else you would like to have join in the fun!

See you on the 21st!

-Deb Carabet


Save the date for October’s monthly club rides:

October LG Women’s Ride- Route TBD October 17

October LG50- Route TBD, but this one falls on Halloween so come dressed in costume! October 31

Club Events Recap

La Grange Piuma Hillclimb and Annual Picnic

Photos above by various contributors

The 27th Piuma Hillclimb was as hard as promised. If you haven’t ridden it, Piuma is a twisty, windy 5.4 miles of uphill nastiness as per Marco! Max gradient approaches 8% in some areas with elevation gain just over 1700 feet. After summiting Piuma, you descend to an off-camber left turn onto Scheuren Road for another 1.8 miles and 544 feet of climbing to the finish line at Saddle Peak where times are taken with a GoPro camera at the finish. This year, the LG van awaited suffering riders with cold drinks and snacks and Renowned photographer Joe Pugliese (photos below) was there to take more fantastic photos to add to the collection from the 2015 and 2016 hillclimb. A huge thank you to Joe and his son who was there with him, Marco Fantone for organizing and leading the race and to volunteers Larry Goodman, Frank Whitelock, Jaycee Cary, Nigel Stewart, Jan Datomi, Katie, Daniel and Daniel Jr Marsh, David Newcombe, Renée Fox, Linda Selzer, Bill Birrell and Bennett Ross!

2026 Annual La Grange Club Picnic

Photos by various contributors

The 2026 La Grange Annual Picnic was held, as it is each year, directly after the Piuma Hillclimb. Catered this year by Wood Ranch BBQ, members, their families and dogs spent a fun afternoon feasting at the beautiful Rustic Canyon Park. Thanks to Deb Carabet for organizing a great picnic!

Member Features

MONTRÉAL 2026 — COMING HOME FOR THE WORLDS

A personal week at the UCI Road World Championships

By Claude Gagnon

For me, the 2026 UCI World Championships in Montréal were about much more than bike racing. I was born and raised there in the 60s, with a dad who was a huge sports enthusiast, including cycling. In 1974, Montréal hosted the Worlds and Eddy Merckx won the road race. I was a teenager then, and Merckx was already a legend.

Fast forward 52 years and the Worlds were back in my hometown. I have lived away from Montréal since 2006, so returning for an entire week of World Championship racing made it even more special. I was lucky enough to watch almost everything: the time trials, Juniors, U23s, Elite Women and, of course, the Elite Men road race.

Before watching the pros, Kristy and I had to test the course ourselves. On Saturday, with the roads closed, we rode the World Championship TT course. Riding through the city where I grew up, including sections of freeway with no cars and no stops, was fantastic. I completed the course in about 90 minutes. Remco Evenepoel did it in 46:15. So there is still a little room for improvement! Watching Remco the next day on roads we had just ridden gave me a completely different appreciation for the speed of these riders. Marlen Reusser was equally impressive in the women's TT.

As the week went on, Montréal became a cycling city. Pros were everywhere. I rode down to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the Formula 1 track, and instead of race cars there were national teams casually spinning around the circuit. Mexico, Spain, Ireland and others were out riding together. You could be having coffee, riding along the river or walking around town and suddenly see riders in national team kits. For a cycling fan, it doesn't get much better.

One of the great moments came in the U23 Men's road race. I was about 100 meters from the finish when Ashlin Barry came in to become World Champion after an incredible 30 km solo breakaway. Barry was born in Toronto and represents the United States, so his American/Canadian connection made the victory a little more special for Canada. As someone born in Canada who now lives in the U.S., I could relate to that connection between the two countries. That same day, Spain's Alejandra Neira won the Junior Women's road race.

The Elite Women's road race had another personal connection. It started in Brossard, on Montréal's South Shore, about one mile from my mom's place. I grew up in Brossard, left many years ago, and here I was watching some of the best cyclists in the world start a World Championship practically in my mom's neighborhood. The race eventually reached the demanding Mont-Royal circuit, where Demi Vollering produced a fantastic ride to become World Champion.

Then came Sunday. The Elite Men's road race was simply one of the best races I have watched in the last few years: aggressive, unpredictable and never really settled. With about 33 km to go, Brandon McNulty attacked and went solo. On the final lap his advantage kept coming down and it looked like they might catch him. But they didn't. Watching an American come into the finish alone and become World Champion in my hometown was an incredible way to end the week.

And then there were the Belgian fans. We all think we're serious cycling fans until you meet the Belgians. Flags, jerseys, noise, beer and an incredible knowledge of the sport. They don't just follow cycling; they live it. Seeing them in Montréal also brought the story full circle: 52 years earlier another Belgian, Eddy Merckx, had won the rainbow jersey on Montréal roads.

I've been away from Montréal since 2006, but it will always be home. Cycling has become a much bigger part of my life as I've gotten older, so having these two worlds come together for one week was very special. I rode the TT course with Kristy, watched Remco and Reusser race against the clock, saw Ashlin Barry finish his 30 km solo ride, watched the women's race start near my mom's home, saw Demi Vollering win, and finished the week watching Brandon McNulty's 33 km solo ride to the rainbow jersey.

The weather was beautiful, the city looked fantastic and cycling fans from around the world were everywhere. Fifty-two years after Eddy Merckx won the World Championship in the city where I grew up, I was back there riding the course myself and watching a new generation become World Champions. For one week, my hometown belonged to cycling. Montréal did cycling proud, and I was very proud to be a Montrealer.


New Members:

La Grange, please give a warm welcome to our 4 new members who joined LA Grange in September: A. Cooper, J. Dehaven, Z. Fang, and E. Behnke.

Members:

Please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date. Visit https://www.lagrange.org/member-dashboard#myaccount to confirm that your phone number is current, and double check that your emergency contact name and phone number are accurate. This helps La Grange improve vendor access to membership verification and ensures that, in case of an emergency during a ride, a board member can quickly notify your emergency contact. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at membership@lagrange.org.

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

Keep-up with LG Rides, News & more on our Social Channels

  • LG Club on Instagram 

  • LG Race Team on Instagram 

  • LG on Strava 

  • LG on Facebook 

  • LG exclusive What’s App community for LG members only

    Join HERE and become part of the legacy of Velo Club La Grange, one of the oldest and most respected cycling clubs in California.

Support Our Sponsors

Lee Ziff Real Estate

My success in real estate has always been built on one simple principle: providing exceptional service to every client and earning their continued business and referrals. Since entering real estate in 1997, I have built a career defined by performance, reputation, and relationships. In my third full year, sales exceeded $20 million, and in 2002 I was named Broker of the Year at Coldwell Banker’s flagship Beverly Hills office. My sales surpassed $50 million in 2007, and in 2013 I was ranked #4 among more than 80,000 Keller Williams agents nationwide. Today, my referral-based business spans a wide range of properties and price points, from luxury estates to condos. I am also an active real estate investor and Ownership Partner of Keller Williams Pacific Estates in Long Beach. Before real estate, I managed tennis facilities in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. A UC Berkeley graduate, I remain active in business, athletics, and my La Grange Community.

-Lee

Pedal Mafia


Real people, real fast. When you reach out, a human answers, and that includes evenings and weekends, not just 9-to-5. No generic ticket queues, no waiting days for a reply like you do with the bigger cycling brands.

Local to LA, not a faceless warehouse. We're right here, so you can actually find us. Come by in person, get fitted, or join one of the gatherings and meetups we host. A brand shipping out of some distant HQ can't do that.

Part of the community, not just advertising to it. Pedal Mafia shows up. We host our own events, roll out on local group rides, and support riders directly instead of shouting at the community from a distance.

Premium kit without the premium markup. Our performance fabrics and construction are built to hold up to serious mileage, and we price them so they feel fair.

A relationship, not a transaction. Because we're local and hands-on, you get to know us and we get to know you. Riders and teams become part of an ongoing relationship with real people, not a one-off purchase.




THANK YOU to all of our sponsors!

ACTS Law, Personal Injury Lawyers
APEX Law, Real Estate and Business Litigation
Caffe Luxxe, Artisanal Coffee Roasters Gentle Jaw, A passive stretching device for acute and chronic tmj and jaw pain John Fox Fine Painting, Exquisite finishes and bespoke murals Helen’s Cycles, Local Community Bike Shop
Lee Ziff, Real Estate Pedal Mafia, Killer Cycling Apparel Rudy Project, Italian-Made Helmets and Eyewear The Feed, #1 Source for Performance Nutrition TriFit LA, Fitness and Performance Center
4iiii Powermeters, Harness the Power Santa Monica Brew Works, Santa Monica’s First and Only Brewery








La Voix - September 2026

Greetings La Grange Members, 

Your September newsletter includes upcoming events; the LG Piuma Hillclimb and Annual Club Picnic, dates for September rides, recaps on the August LG 50, Womens ride, Santa Barbara Century Ride, Skills and Safety Course and a Member contributed feature. Not as on time as USPS but we’re still in the first week!

Ride safely,

Renée Fox, La Voix Editor

P.S. Have something else cycling-related you think would be interesting or beneficial to our members? Submit here to be considered for an upcoming newsletter.

Letter from the President

Hello La Grangers,
Recently, as I am going through a career change, a story keeps coming back into mind.
When I was much younger, and my sons were as well, I found myself out of work during the month of July. The boys would wake up with me and watch the tour. Trevor, who is the older of my boys had asked why I wasn’t going into work so much and I let him know that I was looking for something new to do for work. He then asked me if the cyclists we were watching on TV got paid. I told him yes. He then said well if I enjoy cycling so much I should do that (become a pro cyclist) as a job.

Well, I never was paid as a cyclist. The sport, lifestyle, and this club have made me a very wealthy man in the currency of smiles and friendships and adventures.

As we head into September and begin transitioning from summer to autumn, I wish you all plenty of each of those things.

Vive La Grange,

Larry

Club News

La Grange Piuma Hillclimb and Annual Picnic

The event that started back in 2000, the Piuma Hillclimb is located in the hills above Malibu off of Malibu Canyon Road. Piuma is a twisty, windy 5.4 miles of uphill nastiness. Max gradient approaches 8% in some areas. Elevation gain is just over 1700 feet. But wait, there’s more! The Hillclimb doesn’t end there. Once you’ve summited Piuma, you will descend the backside of Piuma towards Scheuren Road where you will negotiate a deceptively evil off-camber left turn onto Scheuren Road. From there, it’s another 1.8 miles and 544 feet of climbing to the finish line at Saddle Peak. The Hillclimb is a mass start similar to that of a marathon where riders will self-seed themselves based on their expected finishing time.

If you've never done this event before, you need to experience it!

The Piuma Hillclimb is just under four weeks from now on September 19th. Registration is now open and we do need everyone who is planning to participate to sign up. And please remember to choose your correct age category: Register HERE

The Annual LG Picnic will be at Rustic Canyon Park starting at 12:00 following the Piuma Climb. This year, our picnic will be catered by Wood Ranch BBQ. You must RSVP if you are planning to attend the picnic so we can get a proper food count. Guests are welcome. RSVP will be shared soon.

Club Events Recap

La Grange Skills and Safety Course

Photos by Lisa Goldfarb


The second edition of the La Grange Skills and Safety Course took place on Sunday, August 2nd from 8:00 am - 9:30 am on the Veterans Administration (VA) campus. Riders learned and practiced the finer specifics of riding in a paceline and peloton, rider’s responsibilities, teamwork vision and being a good wheel. Look out for Details, Date and Location for the next LG Skills and Safety Course, TBA!


LG Skills and safety Course sessions are a combination of bike handling drills and choreographed group riding. Focused instruction and practice in a simplified training environment. Easy pace, friendly, supportive. 

This course is made for members and non members- everyone who rides in road cycling groups, and will focus on skills that riders at every level can learn and improve.

Be safe! Ride with Velo Club La Grange! Come participate in the Course!

2026 Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century Recap

Photos by various contributors

This year’s ride, led by Rich Hirschinger, was a beautiful day of riding a controlled social pace with regular SAG stops to support the riders. As in past years, riders enjoyed beer and food at the Santa Barbara Biergarten and a lovely train ride back to the start in Van Nuys with views of the sunset over the coastline.

The ride happens each year In honor of long-time La Grange member and distance rider, Edgar Burcksen. Edgar passed away in April 2024 from injuries from a heart attack that occurred while doing what he loved, riding home from his regular Tuesday ride along San Vicente.  In 2006 Edgar edited the documentary “The Gift” about club founder Raymond Fouquet and Velo Club La Grange's early days.
 Enjoy the photos and join us next year!

August Women’s Ride

Led by Renée Fox

Recap By Cate Schmidt

Photos by various contributors

The August Women's ride demonstrated the heart of Velo Club La Grange - a genuine desire to share the love of the bike in the safest way possible.

If you ride a bike long enough, you are going to flat, and you are probably going to crash.  Unfortunately for Lizzie, a guest rider from San Francisco, she did both.  She rented a bike for her weekend in LA and within 5 miles, her back tire flatted.  Immediately, the entire group stopped and regrouped at the side of the road.  When it became apparent that she could use some help, everyone chipped in.  There were no complaints, just a common focus on repairing the flat and resuming the ride.

And then the crash... a curve in a sandy bike path, mixed with pedestrians and fast oncoming traffic, Lizzie's wheel slipped out and she went down.  Immediately, everyone stopped.  When Lizzie was ready, the group helped her and her rental bike to safety.  Everyone stuck together and waited until Lizzie had a plan to return safely home.

Special thanks to our ride leader, Renée Fox, who managed all of the unexpected, allowed each rider to contribute in their own way, and carried on despite the difficulties.  The group successfully rode to Palos Verdes and back.  They challenged each other on the climbs and celebrated the descents.  Conversations about reducing risk and promoting safety continued throughout the ride, over food and drinks afterwards, and in the days following.  One thing is for sure, the La Grange women are there for each other through the good times and the bad.

August LG 50

Led by Rich Hirschinger | SAG by Larry Goodman

Photos by various contributors

The August Edition of the LG 50 was an interesting route featuring Canyons, Climbs, Mulholland, the Valley, Old Topanga and a return on PCH. Word on the street is that the day was not as hot as expected.

Save the Date!

LG Women’s Ride: No Women’s Ride this month

LG50 Ride: Saturday September 26, 8am at Helen’s Cycles, route TBA

Piuma Hillclimb and Annual LG Picnic Sunday September 19 *Make sure to register!

Member Features

“MY NOTION IS THAT MANKIND WOULD BE BETTER MORTALS IF THEY ALL RODE BICYCLES.” Hans Ort

 By Jonathan Weiss

If you’ve been inside Helen’s Cycles on Broadway in Santa Monica, you may have noticed the brass sign with the Hans Ort quote above the entrance to the lower showroom.  The sign came from Hans Ohrt Lightweight Bicycles in Westwood, which operated from 1977 until Helen’s took over the location.

Hans Ohrt (1895–1960) was the 1915 national amateur cycling champion, a title that introduced him to Southern California’s cycling community and helped shape his later public profile. As his reputation grew, Ohrt became a familiar figure in Los Angeles society pages and moved easily within Hollywood circles, where he was known for outfitting actors and studio personnel with lightweight bicycles. His combination of competitive experience and social visibility led to his service on the cycling committee for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Soon after, he opened Hans Ohrt Lightweight Bicycles in Beverly Hills. the shop that became a fixture of Westside cycling culture for decades.

Helen’s Cycles story begins in 1934, when Helen (Ray) Throckmorton (1908–2000) and her husband, Ted (1905–1990), opened a small repair shop in Venice Beach. Ted worked as a mechanic for Howard Hughes, whose disapproval of Ted’s moonlighting led the couple to put the business in Helen’s name — and “Helen’s Cycles” was born. The business has passed through only three owners since 1936, and Helen’s is one of the oldest continuously operating bicycle shops in Southern California.

After the Second World War, two French émigrés — Raymond Fouquet (1920–2013) and Alex Baum(1922–2015) — helped shape the next era of Westside cycling. Fouquet, who raced competitively in France, founded Velo Club La Grange out of his La Grange Restaurant in 1969. His mentoring helped produce riders who went on to race nationally and internationally. Today, Raymond Fouquet Square at Westwood and La Grange marks the starting point of the world‑famous Nichols ride, familiar to every La Granger.

Raymond’s friend Alex Baum came from soccer rather than cycling — he played for France’s national team after World War II. But like Raymond, Alex became a leader in Los Angeles’s cycling community. As a member of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and helped expand Olympic cycling in 1984, including establishing the women’s road race. He also chaired the City of Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee for decades, became the first American member of the Union Cycliste Internationale, and played a role in the early development of the Amgen Tour of California.

Raymond Fouquet’s Velo Club La Grange drew early support from Hans Ohrt Lightweight Bicycles, and Helen’s Cycles has now sponsored the club for generations. Together, these shops have anchored La Grange within the Westside’s cycling community, linking the club’s racing ambitions with the everyday riding culture that continues to shape cycling in Los Angeles.

By Jonathan Weiss.  For more history — from the cycling fever of the 1890s to the Birthplace of BMX in 1969 — start on my website at www.cheviothillshistory.org/home/miscellany/westside-bicycling-history.

This picture is from Raymond’s 90th Birthday Dec 2010: Raymond Fouquet, Marco Fantone, Alex Baum, Claude Innocenti (from our website https://www.lagrange.org/blog/2021/1/13/la-voix-tribute-to-claude-innocenti)


Members:

Please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date. Visit https://www.lagrange.org/member-dashboard#myaccount to confirm that your phone number is current, and double check that your emergency contact name and phone number are accurate. This helps La Grange improve vendor access to membership verification and ensures that, in case of an emergency during a ride, a board member can quickly notify your emergency contact. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at membership@lagrange.org.

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

Keep-up with LG Rides, News & more on our Social Channels

  • LG Club on Instagram 

  • LG Race Team on Instagram 

  • LG on Strava 

  • LG on Facebook 

  • LG exclusive What’s App community for LG members only

    Join HERE and become part of the legacy of Velo Club La Grange, one of the oldest and most respected cycling clubs in California.

Support Our Sponsors

4iiii

4iiii Innovations is a Canadian sports technology brand based in Cochrane, Alberta. Founded in 2010, we engineer precision power meters and simplified training tools built to deliver trusted performance data to everyone from WorldTour pros to weekend warriors.

Rudy Project
SUSTAINABILITY. IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

#RidetoZero is an eco-friendly philosophy that directs every Rudy Project action.

We're a company with sport in our DNA and we're aware that climate change creates new challenges that we all must face.

Our ultimate goal is to save our endangered environment, the vital element to live and to fulfill our innate passion for sports. For this reason, we have embraced the #RidetoZero philosophy and we are committed to actions that will minimize the environmental impact of Rudy Project products, design and organizational processes.

Helen’s Cycles

2026 MOST LOVED Santa Monica the City’s favorite business chosen by locals.

Most loved Bike Shop/ Rental



THANK YOU to all of our sponsors!

ACTS Law, Personal Injury Lawyers
APEX Law, Real Estate and Business Litigation
Caffe Luxxe, Artisanal Coffee Roasters Gentle Jaw, A passive stretching device for acute and chronic tmj and jaw pain John Fox Fine Painting, Exquisite finishes and bespoke murals Helen’s Cycles, Local Community Bike Shop
Lee Ziff, Real Estate Pedal Mafia, Killer Cycling Apparel Rudy Project, Italian-Made Helmets and Eyewear The Feed, #1 Source for Performance Nutrition TriFit LA, Fitness and Performance Center
4iiii Powermeters, Harness the Power Santa Monica Brew Works, Santa Monica’s First and Only Brewery







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