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La Grange Solo Cup
Safety in Mandeville Canyon
World Famous Nichols Ride Upgrade
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
New Members
La Grange Solo Cup!
The La Grange Solo Cup is a 2020 version of the La Grange Cup featuring two of the same great segments but all rides must be solo. With Covid-19 and safety on our minds, we would like to offer an alternative for those up for the annual La Grange challenge so we are pleased to present The La Grange Solo Cup!
The Rules:
Must be a current member of La Grange.
Effort must be done solo - no drafting!
Complete any or all of the 3 segments listed below.
After completing a segment fill out the corresponding survey to report your time
Piuma Hill Climb Survey - https://forms.gle/LQRiLxjUzpQufacB7
PCH Time Trial Survey - https://forms.gle/e9SbQXowpwkFxnUp9
La Grange Sprint Survey - https://forms.gle/J4YqR5n34ABPGtVL8Only efforts made between August 1st through the 31st will qualify. Segments can be done more than once. Fastest times will be counted.
A 5-second bonus will be awarded if you email a selfie of yourself in 2020 LG kit before, during or at the finish line to Tina at tinakgrant@gmail.com
We will break down the event winners by gender and age group as well as overall winners.
Winners will also be crowned for “Most Improved.” This will be based on your time from last year's event. If you weren’t able to participate last year please email your PR to Emily at emily.conant23@gmail.com
Segment 1: La Grange Piuma Hill Climb https://www.strava.com/segments/762793
This segment starts about 200m after turning off Malibu Canyon onto Piuma. After 6.3-miles turn left onto Schuren. WARNING - this is a very sharp turn. It comes up fast because you’re going downhill so it’s easy to miss or slip out on. Please use extreme caution on this corner! Another couple of miles of suffering and you’re at the top of Saddle Peak!
Segment 2: La Grange Time Trial https://www.strava.com/segments/1703364
This segment starts just north of the northern exit of the gas station at Trancas and PCH. It ends 12.44-miles heading north on PCH. If you hit the rock you’ve gone too far! Star the segment and give yourself a half mile buffer to be safe. There aren’t any unique markers at the end of this time trial, you’ll have to rely on your cycling computer to tell you when it’s time to stop suffering.
Segment 3: La Grange Sprint https://www.strava.com/segments/24957119
You’re right, this isn’t the Encino Velodrome. But it is close to a Blue Bottle Coffee Shop and a really great place to get tacos - Homestate Tacos. Two laps at Encino is .310686ish-miles so we went ahead rounded up. The segment begins at the intersection of Campus Center Drive and W. Bluff Creek. It ends 0.4-miles at Artisan and W. Bluff Creek Drive. This is a quiet two lane road with a bike lane. Put in a few good efforts here and you’ve definitely earned yourself some tacos.
This event will not and cannot ever replace the real La Grange Cup. Challenging times call for creative solutions, so it’s time to have a little type 2 fun and earn some bragging rights!
See you out on the road!
Thank you, in alphabetical order, to Jaycee Cary, Emily Conant, and Tina Grant for their creativity and time in putting the first ever La Grange Solo Cup together.
Safety in Mandeville Canyon
Photo credit: Cicla Valley
Recently, a Mandeville pedestrian was severely injured when struck by a bicyclist.
In an effort to prevent future accidents, several residents met with a representative of La Grange, a cycling club with several hundred members. All agreed that a number of small steps would help make the canyon safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
RESIDENTS
Avoid parking on the outside of blind curves on the uppermost section of Mandeville where there is no centerline. Both motorists and cyclists are forced toward the center of the road, dangerously close to oncoming traffic, especially as cyclists can’t be sure if a car door will open unexpectedly. On the downhill side, the safest place to park is just beyond a blind corner, not before it.
Trim growth that protrudes into the street. Anything that allows cyclists to ride closer to the side of the road and does not force walkers into the roadway helps.
Please slow down. Staying close to the posted 30mph limit, WILL make everyone safer.
CYCLISTS
Enjoy the canyon respectfully and responsibly.
While riding side-by-side is not an issue when no vehicles are present, please single up when you hear a vehicle approaching from behind. Obviously, this is more difficult in large groups, but very doable in smaller ones.
Communicate with motorists. A “wave by” lets drivers know you’re aware of them, that it’s safe to pass, and that you’ll maintain a steady position. Small efforts can make a big difference.
Limit speed on the downhill run. The steepest part of Mandeville is close to the top, where there are many blind corners.
Consider riding somewhere else on Tuesdays, when the roadway is extremely congested with trash cans and sanitation vehicles.
PEDESTRIANS
Walk, or run, facing traffic.
Understand that it’s very difficult to stop a speeding bicycle. Stay close to the curb and be mindful of traffic around you. While it’s easy to hear cars approaching, cyclists descending Mandeville can emerge with no audible warning.
We are going to continue to share the road. If everyone takes a little extra care, perhaps we can avoid another serious accident.
Thank you to Marco Fantone for leading this community effort.
World Famous Nichols Ride Upgrade
The La Grange Board of Directors is pleased to announce another community project we have been involved with. One Beverly Hills is a new development that is under construction at the site of the old Robinsons May Department Store. There were several plans for Merv Griffin Way but the Board lobbied for the final proposed version, which is depicted in the rendering above. This is a major upgrade to the World Famous Nichols Ride, which courses through Merv Griffin Way. It is one of the longest forced stops on the ride due to the wait we must endure on Merv Griffin Way before crossing Wilshire Blvd. The Board wanted to make the wait worthwhile so we lobbied for some of the $2 billion dollar budget to be spent upgrading Merv Griffin Way. We are pleased to say we succeeded, which means we will be waiting at the light in grand style in the near future. You’re welcome. 🤗 You can read the full details at https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-06-28/prime-beverly-hills-spot-slated-for-a-2-billion-condo-hotel-complex
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Dear Friends and Members of LaGrange and to your friends and family:
During these uncertain times one thing is certain:
While riding our bicycles we are all at risk that a negligent driver will crash into us causing serious injury or death. This negligent driver more often than not will have no insurance, minimum insurance or will be a hit and run driver. More than half of these crashes are caused by such drivers! With COVID-19 and the downturn in the economy this will only get worse. Please protect yourself, your family and loved ones from an economic tragedy. Obtain the maximum uninsured motorist (UM) coverage you can from your liability carrier. Don't compromise your financial security.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about UM coverage.
1. What is uninsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured (including underinsured) motorist coverage should be part of every automobile policy sold in California. The coverage is designed to compensate you for a loss you suffer caused by a driver who is uninsured or inadequately insured. In California, insurance companies are required by law to include uninsured motorist coverage in every automobile policy unless you, the insured, knowingly and in writing decline the coverage.
2. Who is insured by my uninsured motorist policy?
When you purchase this coverage as part of your policy, it affords coverage for you and all members of your family who reside in your household with you. It will also include your minor children who do not reside with you or children who are away at college. You do not have to be a driver or passenger in order to be eligible for benefits. Uninsured motorist coverage applies if you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, or bystander as long as the offending motorist who causes your injuries was uninsured or underinsured. Uninsured motorist coverage also applies to the benefit of passengers in your car or persons driving your car with your permission who are injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
3. When does uninsured motorist insurance apply?
Coverage comes into play when one who is insured is injured by a negligent driver who is uninsured or underinsured. Where there is a claim for injuries, an uninsured driver includes a hit-and-run driver as long as there is actual contact between you or your vehicle and the hit-and-run driver's vehicle.
4. What losses are covered?
Generally, uninsured motorist coverage is intended to compensate you for your economic and non-economic· injuries and damages suffered as a result of the negligence of an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver. Non-economic damages are generally thought of as damages for pain and suffering, damage to your quality of life, damage to your ability to enjoy or engage in certain activities because of your injuries and other like losses. Economic damages generally include medical and related health care expenses you have to pay or owe for treatment of your injuries, loss of income or earnings, and damage Io your ability to earn money in the future as well as other related out-of-pocket expenses.
5. How much uninsured motorist coverage must my insurance company provide me?
In California, your insurance company is only required to issue uninsured motorist in the minimum amount, even if you are purchasing a higher liability limit policy which will pay others for their injuries when you are the person at fault. If you have a $100,000/$300,000 liability policy as an example, you will usually be able to obtain uninsured motorist coverage in that amount. Caveat: You need to be aware of the need for uninsured motorist coverage. Do not get the automatic minimum coverage and do not waive your coverage in writing unless you have really thought it through. You should, at least, have uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability policy.
6. How much uninsured motorist coverage is needed?
This is a personal question, and there is no correct answer. The amount you need will be necessarily tied to the amount of liability insurance that you can afford. Prudence must dictate what your limits should be; at least get as much protection for yourself and your family as you purchase for the protection of others. Keep in mind that there is a high probability that if a negligent driver hits you while in your car, as a pedestrian or as a bicyclist the offending driver will have no insurance, minimum insurance or be a hit-and-run driver.
Be safe. Protect yourself, your family and loved ones. Please share this important information.
Sincerely,
Agnew Brusavich Law Firm
La Grange Sponsor
20355 Hawthorne Blvd I Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: 310.793.1400
ab@agnewbrusavich.com
www.agnewbrusavich.com
New Members
Please welcome our 9 new members who joined in July 2020: Brett, Chris, Alan, Robert, Shalom, David, Claire, Max, and Joel.
