Revision:: Please forgive the photo permissions issue, scroll down for a photo carousel (rather than images in a google folder) from the LG50.
Additional correction: During the pandemic, Helen’s closed their Westwood and Marina del Rey stores, and they sold the I Martin location to Trek. The locations on their website are accurate, https://www.helenscycles.com/storelocator/
It’s a New Year La Grange!
I hope you have all been enjoying the holiday season with loved ones, good food and bikes. Your January La Voix contains recaps from December rides, an inspiring story/ call to action from member Sonya Chapnick, Cycling News’ Best and Worst of 2024, an exhilarating Safa Brian video and an screening announcement for Breaking Away just for fun.
Here’s to 2025!
Renée Fox, LaVoix 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.
Racing News
Breaking Barriers: Sonya’s Journey to Joy and Fitness Through Tandem Cycling, by Sonya Chapnick and Colin Ansel Rasor
Sonya was born with the gift of sight and a deep love for the outdoors. Camping under starry skies, hiking rugged trails, and immersing herself in the beauty of nature were her happy places. Athleticism came naturally to her, and she thrived on competition. At one point, she even became a bodybuilder, relishing the challenges of pushing her body to its limits. Life seemed limitless.
Sonya began losing her sight, a progression that would eventually leave her blind. The grief was immense. She mourned not just her vision but the life she had envisioned. No more hikes to find peace in nature. No more driving to spontaneous destinations. Even the gym, once a sanctuary, became unsafe. She couldn’t spot others or herself. The world, once expansive, seemed to shrink.
Finding Balance
Amid the turmoil, Sonya discovered yoga. It became a lifeline, a way to manage stress, connect with others and generate revenue. Yoga didn’t require perfect vision; it required presence, something she could cultivate. Slowly, she began to accept her new reality. “Being blind became normal,” she would later say, a reflection of her resilience and adaptability.
Still, something was missing. Sonya was missing competition and camaraderie, the thrill of physical challenges, and the joy of movement. She knew she needed to find a way to reclaim these aspects of her life.
The Tandem Connection
The breakthrough came at a Hearts for Sight event. It was a lively day at the beach, with Surrey bikes (a quirky bench-seat bike). Sonya, never much of a cyclist before her vision loss, rode a "bicycle", it was exhilarating. For the first time in years, she felt the wind in her hair and the rush of freedom. The experience opened the door for tandem cycling, riding a bicycle was a possibility.
That day sparked an idea: What if cycling could be another source of physical activity? She started looking for tandem captains to pilot her cycling adventures.
Building a Community
Sonya joined a LaGrange (LG) women’s cycling meetup, where she met others who shared her passion for cycling and community. After discussions with many LG members she connected with Amy Hutner who through another LG social event had discovered Colin Rasor enjoyed riding tandem bicycles. A captain/stoker relationship was formed, leading to new bike rides and routes.
“Breaking blindness barriers is about more than accessibility,” Sonya explained. “It’s about connection. A community can turn isolation into inclusion and help us keep moving forward.”
The Road Ahead
Sonya has her sights set on bigger goals, she is training for a LG 50 ride and would like to compete in time trails. Challenges remain. Captains—the sighted partners who steer tandem bikes—are scarce, and finding consistent opportunities for competition can be difficult.
Sonya envisions a future where blind cyclists like her have a more robust support network. She dreams of creating a hub where captains and stokers (the rear riders on tandem bikes) can connect.
Her message to the world is simple yet powerful: “We need a place where blind athletes can thrive. With community, we can keep the disablement from being disabling.”
What we need from LaGrange, other bicycle clubs, and the community
Signup to learn how to captain a tandem. Practice rides with other captains, become a stoker (try being a blind stoker). The time spent riding with the unsighted is immensely rewarding. By donating your time and experience you will be sharing the joy you experience daily with others who normally can't. You don't have to have a tandem, Wayfinder Family services supplies the tandem and an unsighted stoker.
Email tandems@lagrange.org to get involved!
Come be a (tandem) captain!
Club Rides Recap
December LG50 led by Rich Hirschinger, SAG by Dan Funk
Images below by various contributors: Marco Fantone, Lisa Goldfarb, Rich Hirschinger, Larry Listen, Tara Kriese and, as always, our full photo album by Dan Mitnick- here
Possibly the most picturesque ride of the year and certainly the most photographed, our December LG50 attracted over 80 riders to the start at San Vicente & Ocean. We first made a stop at the historic Witches House in Beverly Hills, entered the wilderness steeps of Franklin Canyon to Mulholland Drive and its rollers, continuing east to Lake Hollywood. SAG by Dan Funk near Lake Hollywood Park came just before the final challenging (but in Rich’s words, “oh so rewarding”) climb to the Hollywood Sign. After more photos, the ride returned down Beachwood Canyon, past the Capitol Records building, and cruised down Hollywood Blvd to Sunset where Rich captured a photo of the elusive Spiderman. Our peloton wearied with traffic yet had time to bond and gawk happily as local tourists on Hollywood Blvd always will. As usual Marco shouted a warm welcome whenever he saw an audience. A sprint for Santa Monica Brew Works ensued where we had well-deserved pizzas and beverages. Thanks to all who helped and participated in this fun ride!
LG Monthly Gravel Ride
by Brian Perkins. click image below for video
Our second LG Gravel Ride on December 15 was another spectacular day of dirt, camaraderie, and adventure. Over 20 riders gathered at San Vicente and Ocean (SVO) to enjoy warm coffee, breakfast treats, and good company before embarking on a fun but challenging ride through the Santa Monica Mountains.
The route began with a peloton of gravel and mountain bikes cruising along PCH before turning onto Sunset and tackling the steep, paved climb up Paseo Miramar. A quick photo stop captured the fresh-faced group before the real challenge began on the dirt. Riders navigated steep gravel sections, carefully balancing weight over their tires to avoid spinning out, as we climbed towards Parker Mesa Overlook. The effort was rewarded with breathtaking views and a drone flyover, courtesy of Bruce.
At Trippet Ranch, the LG van and mid-ride nutrition, supported by Tara and Kimon, were a welcome sight. Colin also played a lead role by shepherding riders along the route. Most of the group, including several first-timers, opted for the longer route—a testament to their grit and determination! One rider made an early return to celebrate his son’s birthday, proving you can balance cycling and family.
The route included a scenic stretch along dirt Mulholland and an unexpected detour down Sullivan Canyon, which had just reopened. The descent, likened to a “dirt highway,” offered miles of smiles as riders made their way back to pavement at Westridge. LA fall was in full swing, with leaves blanketing the gravel and adding to the magic of the day.
We wrapped up the ride with a celebratory toast at Santa Monica Brew Works, and we even scored a few Santa hats to mark the occasion. All riders returned home safely, excited for our next adventure on January 12.
We also need volunteers to both lead and SAG. Tara and I have started this monthly supported-Gravel series, and we need your help to keep it going. If you’re interested in volunteering to lead the next ride, we’d love your support—reach out to either me or Tara to get involved. We hope to see you there!
LG Women’s Rides
The new LG Women’s rides were a hit last month! Both new and seasoned ladies participated and rode to beautiful locations, from Palos Verdes to Bel Air with fun coffee/ snack stops. We even got a new club member to join! Ladies, check the WhatsApp LGWomen’s group for details on the next ride!
New Members
Please say hello to our new members who joined in November and December 2024 (you can find them in our Member Directory):
Steve S., Marc B., Richard B., Robert A., Scott V., Renee T., Caroline M., Alan B., and Zahra K.
Welcome everyone, La Grange is proud to have you with us!
Cycling News
Local: CALBIKE’s Best and Worst of 2024
This was a year of ups and downs, of big wins for safer streets and big setbacks for funding to build safer streets. Like almost every year, 2024 was a time of contradictions and mixed messages for bicycle advocates in California and beyond. So, it’s time to celebrate the good and (hopefully) learn from the bad. Click here or on the image below for CalBike’s rundown of the best and worst of 2024.
For the pure thrill of it, Safa Brian’s new film: Descending the Dolomites
See also: 'Descending is road cycling's last mystique' - Safa Brian on keeping up with the pros and embracing cycling's raw beauty
By Pete Trifunovic for Cycling News published December 24, 2024
and, for those of you looking for a littmore nostalgialgia…
Breaking Away (1979) is screening at the NoHo Laemmle!
Co-Star Paul Dooley in Person!
Tuesday, January 14, at 7 PM
Buy Tickets here
Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!
Support Our Sponsors
HELEN’S CYCLES has been serving the Los Angeles area since 1936.
It was not always called Helen’s Cycles. The store began as a small repair shop in Venice Beach, California owned by Helen Throckmorton and her mechanic husband, Ted, who was also a mechanic for billionaire Howard Hughes. The Aviator had given Ted an ultimatum about his moonlighting as a bike mechanic. So they decided to call it Helen’s Cycles and put the business in her name. Helen’s Cycles has only passed through three other owners since 1936.
Helen’s has a very long history in Los Angeles. Since its inception, the headquarters has only moved twice, with the current HQ location being in Santa Monica since the 1960s. In the last thirty years, Helen's Cycles has expanded throughout greater Los Angeles: from Santa Monica to Westwood, Marina del Rey, and Manhattan Beach. Since purchasing I. Martin Bicycles, Helen's Cycles also has a presence in the mid-city area.
Helen’s Cycles is proud to offer the best service and staff in bike retail today.
La Grange members receive a discount of 20% for non-mechanical components (ie: chain lube, bar tape, etc…) and 10% for bikes, frames and components.
TriFit is the only full service health club in Santa Monica owned by athletes for athletes.
Located in Santa Monica, TRIFIT is a fully equipped 29,000 square foot health club. The facility is fully equipped with strength and cardio equipment, yoga, massage, TRX, Sports Performance, outdoor classes, indoor lap pool, physical therapy, and performance services ranging from bike fits to run gait analysis. TRIFIT's former longtime head of performance, Jeff Rothschild, works with professional, elite, and local cyclists including 3x Olympian Bobby Lea and friend of La Grange, Matt Wikstrom. TRIFIT works with endurance athletes across many sports as well as team sport athletes including tennis, hockey, and soccer. Education is fundamental to who we are which is why TRIFIT hosts educational seminars on everything from sports supplementation to active recovery. We sponsor local races fundraisers and events, giving back to our fitness community has been the cornerstone of our success. TRIFIT's mission is plain and simple--- to provide all athletes the tools they need to perform at their best.
La Grange members receive 10% off TRIFIT's standard membership.
