La Voix October 2023
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RACING NEWS:
CLUB NEWS:
RECAP: La Grange Night @ Pedal Mafia
Meet the LG Member: Andrew Guitteriez
RECAP: The 2023 All Clubs Picnic
IN THE NEWS:
ARTICLE: Austin Killips, Tour de Gila Winner
on division, debate, and building dialogue
PRO RACING: Sepp Kuss:
From Youth Development to Grand Tour Winner
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
CANNON — Engineers by day, cycling enthusiasts by weekend!
TRIFIT—A Special Deal for La Grange Members
RACING NEWS
No Racing in September but…
We have no racing news for September but Cross is coming. Come out and race Cross with La Grange. We have full van, tent, and nutrition support, plus the camaraderie of your teammates. Oh, and probably beer. Reach out to Dan Funk for more information.
CLUB NEWS
RECAP: The Mammoth Grand Fondo
The Mammoth Gran Fondo happened a few weeks ago. It really turned out to be an epic day with wind, rain, and cool temperatures. La Grange had a strong cadre of riders in the lead group with the rest of us coming in behind, throughout the day. It was really fun to have so many club members up there and the LG van made a splash. Speaking of splashes, Lisa G. and Jesse Paster braved the frigid waters of an alpine lake and lived to tell the tale. Let’s get more of us up there next year and continue the party!
(photo credits: Lisa G., Peter D., and Jaycee)
The La Grange nights were always a highlight of the year for LG members. We were thrilled when the opportunity presented itself to revive this beloved event at Pedal Mafia. PM has a beautiful store in a very central location (SM Main St.). The outdoor patio, shared with the Library Alehouse, is spacious and offers a relaxed and festive setting for our LG Nights. We thank everyone who came by and a huge shout out to the Pedal Mafia team (Jay, Jack, Elijah, Anthony, and Nick) for being so gracious and accommodating. Thanks also to Patrick from Canyon for the killer swag. We hope to expand these LG Nights in the years to come and hope you will join us and support these wonderful partners!
Please meet LG Member, Andrew Gutierrez!
I’m a Dad, Triathlete, and Chiropractor, and was born in Born in Upland, CA, and raised in Santa Clarita, CA.
I have been a cyclist for about 10 years. I was finding it difficult to stay in shape after multiple knee surgeries and discovered cycling not only didn’t hurt my knee but actually helped significantly.
During triathlon season I train almost every day (swim 2x, bike 3-4x, run 3-4x per week). In the “offseason,” I focus on weight training and mix in some road and gravel rides. I can’t stop riding my bike 🙂
Tell us about your bike!
Which one? 😛. My road bike is a self-built Fuji SL-A with SRAM Force AXS. My triathlon bike is a Blue Triad Elite with SRAM Red Etap. And…my gravel Bike is a Specialized Diverge E5 with Shimano GRX.
I joined [LG] in 2015 or so to ride with like-minded people, who were also obsessed with riding their bikes.
What regular LG rides do you participate in?
Not many lately due to family and work schedule, but I used to frequent the Tuesday ride and the occasional Nichols ride.
What is your favorite ride in SoCal?
Tour de Big Bear!
Several years back I was training to ride in the Tour de Big Bear 70 miler and was talked into doing the 100 miler at the last minute by fellow La Grange members who were also riding in the event. Things were going fine and I was feeling strong after cresting Onyx Summit at 8400 feet elevation and a long descent down to the turnaround point in Angelus Oaks. Then came the 20-mile climb back to the top of Onyx Summit, and that’s when I started to crack. Then came the dreaded cramps and I was struggling to even turn the pedals over. By the end of the ride, my entire left leg had stopped working and I literally crossed the finish line pedaling with one leg.
Andrew recommends:
Super Domestic Coffee, across the street from Culver One.
Thanks for reading
As told to Renée Fox
RECAP: The All Clubs LA BBQ & Eldo Finale
The ELDO Race Series Finale & All Clubs BBQ were a blast! It was a beautiful, sunny day made even better by the enjoyment of friendships, new and old. The warm feeling of connectedness and belonging was palpable as La Grange members and members from other SoCal clubs and their families mingled, danced, and played in the beautiful tree-shaded setting of Eldorado Park. Patrick Barrett did not disappoint with some of the best BBQ around (sorry if you missed it- brisket and ribs for days!) Aldo Jimenez, Laura Martin, and Morgan James made a strong showing for La Grange in the fast ELDO race finale. Congratulations to Morgan for placing 3rd in the Women’s Cat 3 Race!
Ken Vinson MC'd the events throughout the day with his undeniable passion for diversity and inclusivity, openly acknowledging his gratitude for everyone’s attendance, contributions, and the financial support of sponsors including La Grange who made the day possible. LaGrange shares Ken's commitment to fostering a thriving, diverse, and connected community.
Tickets are already on sale for the All Clubs Gala Weekend: January 18-21, 2024.
IN THE NEWS
Tour of the Gila Winner Austin Killips on division, debate, and building dialogue
(Image credit: Snowy Mountain)
Austin Killips’ overall victory at the long-time American professional cycling stage race Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico, was met with another wave of controversy surrounding a nearly polarised discussion about transgender rights in both sporting and political arenas. She secured the mountains classification and the overall victory, becoming the first transgender woman to win a UCI 2.2-registered stage racing event.
In an exclusive interview with Cyclingnews, Killips spoke about the rules governing transgender women competing in cycling, training, support networks, and her potential future in cycling.
PRO RACING: Sepp Kuss–The Americans Return
(Image credit: Chad Cheeney/Getty Images)
Some would say we are in a renaissance of American professional bike racing. There are more Americans in the World Tour now than in decades. No one has been more successful than the Durango Kid, Sepp Kuss. Not only is Sepp one of the most lauded domestiques in the pro peloton but he recently won the Vuelta de España Grand Tour. You may know of the in-race fireworks during the Vuelta but did you know he is one of the most liked riders in the peloton as well? I was particularly taken by the stories of a young Sepp with his undeniable talent and his voracious appetite. Bravo Sepp! We are all so incredibly proud of you!
Sponsored:
CANNON — Engineers by day, cycling enthusiasts by weekend!
Submitted by Cannon
Here at Cannon, we are dedicated to promoting the safety and accessibility of roadways for both cyclists and pedestrians. By integrating our love for cycling into various projects, including active transportation and complete street designs, we bring our passion for cycling to life. The Cannon Coaster is a yearly, multi-day ride and to date, Cannon Coasters have conquered the entire coast of California, taking in breathtaking views, and enjoying the thrill of the open road.
In September, the Cannon Coasters went on their yearly, multi-day ride, traversing more than 156 miles from Point Reyes to Marina State Beach. This adventurous event has provided Cannon with an unparalleled cycling experience and has fostered deep bonds among participants that extend far beyond the boundaries of the office. Together, The Cannon Coaster is a testament to the power of shared experiences and the sense of accomplishment that comes from pushing our limits together.
Keep your eyes peeled for details about the 2024 ride! If you have questions or are interested in joining the Cannon Coasters, please contact Elissa Quilici at ElissaQ@CannonCorp.us.
Ed.– We love this! We thank Cannon for their continued support of VCLG. We salute their passion, expertise, and accomplishment. We want to join your next Coaster ride!
Sponsored:
TRIFIT: Special Deal for La Grangers
LA GRANGE LIMITED-TIME OFFER
JOIN NOW FOR ONLY $99
Includes first month, amenities fees, and application fee
(save $205)
Regular monthly dues begin November 1, 2023
Discounted tenant rate of $159 good with current LG Membership Card
WHAT SETS THEM APART, YEAR AFTER YEAR
TRIFIT is the largest full-service, independently owned health club in the Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades areas. We were voted Santa Monica's “Most Loved Gym” by City residents in 2019, 2020, and 2023 (and runner-up in the years in between) and National Health Club of The Month in August 2022.
Our services and amenities include tennis, squash, a 3-lane indoor swimming pool, yoga studio, a fully-equipped weight room, a full suite of group exercise classes, bike fitting, VO2Max and lactate testing, dry sauna, steam rooms, towel service, and free parking for up to 3 hours.
All of the extra stuff is great, but it's the member experience that keeps members coming back, year after year.
Enjoy ALL of our wonderful partners!
2023 La Grange Partners
La Grange is incredibly fortunate to have such awesome partners! With our partners, you can satisfy virtually every aspect of cycling: Apparel, Accessories, Bikes, Repair, and nutrition. We also have partners to assist you when you have to live your non-bike life: Dining, Legal, Real Estate, and Engineering. Log into the La Grange website and check out your member-only benefits.
SOS—Support Our Sponsors
Cannon
At Cannon, our engineers know road design and are committed to advancing the development of integrated, safe, and enjoyable bicycle infrastructure for riders of all levels. As cyclists, we realize there is more to bike facility design than lines on a plan. Cannon’s history of designing and managing the construction of bike paths, bike lanes, and multi-use trails has resulted in safer public spaces and more active communities.
Learn more about Cannon…
TRIFIT
Wanna get faster? Incorporate strength training and flexibility exercises into your cycling routine. TRIFIT, voted Santa Monica’s best-loved Gym, has the equipment and trainers to take your performance to the next level. TRIFIT has been a generous La Grange sponsor for many years. Go by today and check their state-of-the-art facilities.
Ask about a FREE TRIAL…
New and Returning Members
Please say hello to our new members who joined or renewed in September 2023:
Mario M., Patrick R., Thomas H., Travis F., Peter V., David B., Alain G., Mike A., and David L.
Welcome, everyone! La Grange is proud to have you with us.
And in case you were wondering, we don’t include last names here to protect online personal privacy.
LG Event Calendar for OCTOBER
This calendar is where you’ll find all of our upcoming events IN ONE PLACE. You’ll find both LG On-Bike and Off-Bike events as well as non-LG events. Check it out and bookmark it! Here is the schedule for October. Bold events are LG Team Targeted Events.
October 11th — LG Board of Directors Meeting
October 14th — The Annual LG Piuma Hillclimb
October 14th — The Piuma Picnic
October 28th — The October LG50 Ride
Have an event you would like to add? Send a request to Renée at renee.fox@lagrange.org