La Voix January 2024
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RACING NEWS:
LG Raced Lake Casitas CX December 10 and Pierce College in Woodland Hills December 16
CLUB NEWS:
Velo Club La Grange to Partner With Helen’s Cycles Through 2025
Happy Hour at Gilbert’s El Indio With Pro Sean Quinn!
Rescheduled November LG50 Ride on December 2
Meet a LG Member Interview: David Russell
IN THE NEWS:
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor Recognized
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
OTHER UPDATES:
RACING NEWS
LG Raced Lake Casitas CX December 10 and Pierce College in Woodland Hills December 16
Four LG racers and the LG van went to Lake Casitas on December 10 for the second race in the 2023-24 Socal CX schedule. Warren Sutton took 1st place, dominating his primary category, 45+B! Dan Funk had to withdraw after 1 lap because of a health issue, and Carter Baker competed in the men's B open and single-speed. Unfortunately, Colin Rose became ill and couldn’t compete. The Lake Casitas course is very fast and very fun with a lot of technical sections.
For Pierce College in Woodland Hills, four strong racers represented La Grange: Katie Marsh got a podium, placing 3rd in the Women Elite A, Daniel Marsh had a strong showing in the Mens B open, Colin Rose coming off a cold took a solid 5th in the 45+B, Warren Sutton continues to dominate the 35+B category with another first place, Larry Goodman was a valued teammate in the 55+Mens, and Daniel Funk took 2nd in the 55+Mens. La Grange had such a powerful presence that our team was called out several times by Dorothy Wong, Race Promoter, for their support of the Socal CX Series.
We look forward to seeing more La Grangers come out to give CX a try!
Race report by Dan Funk
CLUB NEWS
Velo Club La Grange to Partner With Helen’s Cycles Through 2025
The cycling world is a constantly moving entity. Trends come and go and so does the focus and direction of cycling clubs and bike shops. The last number of years have seen a shift from road riding to gravel, a global pandemic completely upended the bike industry and eliminated group rides as we knew them. A migration from racing to events such as fondos and large monthly club rides has also impacted the cycling landscape.
Today, Velo Club La Grange is proud to announce a new two-year partnership with Helen’s Cycles - two entities that currently find their main focus moving forward as one community building. This is not a new partnership - La Grange and Helen’s have a long history dating back to 1990. As with any long-term relationship, there have been some challenges over the years yet throughout those years, each has maintained a deep appreciation for what the other brings to the world of cycling. Helen’s Cycles dates back to 1936 and today provides goods and services to cyclists throughout West Los Angeles. In addition, they also provide monthly group rides and more than anything else, a good ole brick-and-mortar shop you can walk into and feel like you’re at home (think Cheers! on two wheels).
La Grange is looking forward to this renewed relationship. Not only will club members receive discounts on the wide variety of bicycles and accessories available at Helen’s, but they will also benefit from a familiar staff with years of experience, not to mention the team of seasoned mechanics including Erick Rodas; widely considered to be the finest bike mechanic in the region. And of course, this renewed relationship will feature the return of La Grange Night @ Helen’s which is already being planned! For anyone who attended previous LG Nights, these were full-blown pizza parties on steroids! Other events will also be happening throughout the year. This partnership presents several opportunities that will be mutually beneficial to both Helen’s and La Grange.
Letter to La Grange from Jay Wolff, Owner/Operator of Helen’s Cycles:
Team Helen’s Cycles is excited to welcome back La Grange into our family. We are confident that this will be a successful partnership and we thank you for your trust and confidence in us. As your partner, we will strive hard to provide the best customer service. We look forward to working with the La Grange community and we wish you all a very safe and joyous holiday season.
Happy Hour at Gilbert’s El Indio With Pro Sean Quinn!
On January 16th at 6 pm La Grange will hold the first Happy Hour of the year with delicious Mexican food and drinks at our sponsor Gilbert’s El Indio. Making this evening particularly exciting will be the presence of a special guest, professional cyclist Sean Quinn!
Sean grew up in Los Angeles and often joined his father Diarmuid who is a long-time club member riding Nichols, the Piuma Hillclimb, and other weekend rides. Sean became Pro in 2019 and extended his contract with EF for three more years. This past year, Sean raced the Vuelta and took a spectacular stage victory (stage 2) at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
Gilbert’s El Indio is located at 2526 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Dress appropriately as we’ll be holding this event on their outdoor (but covered) patio.
Thank you to board member Larry Goodman for arranging this with Sean. Rumor has it there may be other VIP surprise guests so be sure to be there! We look forward to seeing you.
La Grange.
Rescheduled November LG50 Ride on December 2
The rescheduled November LG50 ride on December 2, led by Jaycee and friends was a fun, Autumn ride with perfect cool and sunny weather. The peloton traveled up PCH to the San Fernando Valley via Malibu Canyon and Wells with a shady side trip through Cold Canyon which was cold indeed! Riders in the group who appeared most comfortable wore full-length leggings, vests, arm warmers, and lightweight packable jackets which came in handy on the climbs. A special SAG was elevated to the status of a holiday party with sandwiches and yummy gingerbread made by Jaycee. The group ended the ride in a celebratory fashion at Brew Works in Santa Monica. Thank you Jaycee and friends for an awesome day in the saddle and to Dan Mitnick for the beautiful pics!
Great Work La Grange! We Raised $2743 For Our Meals On Wheels of West Los Angeles Thanksgiving Ride Fundraiser
Since 2008, Meals on Wheels of West Los Angeles has benefited from your generous donations! Funds raised go to help with this past year’s increase in food costs; in July, their food costs increased over $1 a day to $10.30/day for the 2 nutritious meals they deliver each day for each client. Donations also help to pay for critical services. Along with the fresh hot food delivered they provide a daily check-in service. If a client is ever unable to answer the door to receive their food they make the effort to find out why. This is how Meals on Wheels occasionally saves lives. Thank you La Grange for supporting this important cause!
Meet a LG Member Interview: David Russell
Meet LG Member David Russell! Originally from Los Angeles and Denver, Dave teaches art & design at Otis College and LMU and is a founding board member of the Westchester Playa Historical Society. He loves to paint murals, travel, surf, climb, golf, and cycle. As interviewed by Renée Fox.
What drew you to the sport of cycling and how long have you been a cyclist?
I started cycling a year ago thanks to Renée Fox who sold me her bike when I was looking for a rehab activity after shoulder surgery.
Do you train regularly? What is your training regime like?
I try to cycle a minimum of 100 miles a week and strive for a 10-mile/1K ft climbing ratio.
Tell us about your bike(s)!!
I am a proud owner of a BMC Team Machine with Black Inc wheelset.
What are some of your favorite cold weather gear items to brave the LA winter?
Hat.
When did you join LG and why?
I joined last February/ March- Thanks to Renée Fox and David Newcombe for bringing me into the sport. Thank you to all LG members who made me feel super welcomed, shared information, and taught me cycling best practices. It’s a great community, and I won’t turn down a coffee from Luxxe café either!
What other LG rides do you participate in?
I try to make all the LG 50’s.
What is your favorite ride?
Nichols, Latigo, Fernwood.
Please share a cycling story for LG.
As I was dialing in my first bike, I bought these crazy wheels solely based on their weight and how they look….I got lucky, they feel good and I can still descend without being blown over! Whew! If you’ve seen them, you‘re in the know!
What other sports do you love? Please tell us about it.
I love to climb walls….I have climbed all the towers within the Fitz Roy Massif in Patagonia as well as most Dolomite peaks.
Do you have favorite bike-friendly spots (restaurants, services, businesses) in LA you would recommend to the club?
SHIFT cycles and Lauren Mulwitz (bike shop and bike fitter/kinesiologist).
How can La Grange make the club experience better for you?
Cleaner/safer/more organized group rides as a peloton…. 2 x 2 with designated pullers for the specific ride.
IN THE NEWS
Winter Training
Winter cycling training tips: 10 helpful steps By Josh Croxton, Colin Levitch.
(published November 04, 2020)
Winter training is a test of any cyclist's resolve, commitment, and motivation, but with these 10 tips, you should be well on the way to reaching your 2022 season goals.
Read more here.
Cycling in LA
Call it much ado about nothing. Caltrans made a big deal yesterday about plans to spend a whole $4.2 million to improve safety along a 21-mile stretch of PCH in Malibu, which works out to a measly $200,000 per mile. Not exactly the major investment they made it out to be.
Read more here.
Cycling in The World
All the Team Kits for 2024: SD Worx become more purple, Israel-Premier Tech stay blue. Keep up to date with the jerseys to watch out for next season in our complete guide.
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor Recognized
America's first Black sports star and cyclist Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor is being recognized posthumously with a Congressional Gold Medal for his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete. We are proud to celebrate this alongside the local club Major Taylor Cycling Club Los Angeles, named in honor of him.
Press Release: Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act.
Sponsored Content - TRIFIT LA
Enjoy the 2024 LG New Years promotion: La Grange members receive a $10/monthly discount.
Join today for $99 and find out why TRIFIT was voted Santa Monica’s MOST LOVED GYM, with the city contest tallying a record 60,000 votes. $0 amenities fee, $0 initiation dues. The 29,000 Square Foot IndoorFacility features:
Indoor 3-Lane, 25-Yard Lap Pool
Squash Courts, Steam & Sauna
Sports Performance & Private Training
Fully Equipped Weight & Cardio
Towel Service
Locker Room Amenities
Nutrition Counseling
More…
Visit TRIFIT LA’s website to learn more.
SOS - Support Our Sponsors
Rudy Project
In the market for performance sunglasses, helmets or goggles? Whether skiing, cycling or looking for prescription solutions of the highest technical level, Rudy Project has a great selection.
La Grange members receive 35% Off MSRP on all regularly priced merchandise. Click on the Rudy Project VIP login link and use your LG Member credentials.
You may also wish to sign up for Rudy Project notifications to receive additional savings throughout the year.
CAFFE LUXXE
It all began in 2006 by co-founders Mark Wain and Gary Chau who are best friends since school, with a richly drawn espresso enjoyed one fine Italian morning while on holiday.
From first sip, they began dreaming of traveling the world to source inspiration for our own neighborhood cafes.
Caffe Luxxe has grown from their first location (located at 925 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica) to now serving 6 locations in LA, and 8 in total. Find a location near you.
New Members
Please say hello to our new members who joined in December 2023 (you can find them in our Member Directory): Brent S., Charles B., Chris W., Daniel S., David M., Edison H., and Joshua G.
Welcome everyone, La Grange is proud to have you with us!