Hello La Grange,
I want to start by saying that I am so proud to be a part of this club. In response to major disruptions and loss from the fires, I’ve seen club members rally and support one another, our sponsors and Los Angeles in such incredibly passionate ways. This community is capable of support because we all participate in it. In this La Voix are more ways to engage, and be a part of La Grange in impactful and rewarding ways, whether its showing up for rides, helping to care for our club van, volunteering for SAG, leading an LG50, donating to victims of the fires, learning to captain a tandem for blind riders or contributing your unique voice to our WhatsApp community, so please look at the different ways our board and club members are working to build community and if there is a place you can see yourself contributing.
** Important note- Please be sure to check the LG website and WhatsApp LG Rides group for updates regarding rides and routes in light of fire damaged areas.
See you on the road.
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.
A Letter from our new Club President, Larry Goodman:
Hello Fellow La Grangers,
This club has given much to me and I am honored to be giving back as the president for 2025.
Velo Club LaGrange began in a mix of community and to help juniors enter racing. This year I want to begin, but not stop, rebuilding both and ensuring the club’s continuation by attracting more, younger members. And, this year we have a new and promising Development race team.
The Development Team is being led by a few volunteering parents and our Race Captain Aldo Jimenez. So we have that covered.
What I need your help with is further community building with the eye towards younger and more diverse riders. Part of this will take some pivoting and adjustment just as the racing scene is underway. I think of our club as a goal-oriented cycling club where riders who want to train for their first century, get faster, lose weight while having fun or meet new and interesting people with a fitness mindset are all welcome. The race team is but one type of goal and here to inspire.
My association with LaGrange began with a longtime member Rob saying hello and inviting me along on a Friday ride. Please try to do the same to others as you come across them.
Vive LaGrange,
Larry
Racing News
La Grange La Fabrica Development Race Team Report
by Sean Knierim
As many of our community know, LaGrange launched the LaGrange/LaFábrica Development Race Team this year to support young riders leaning into our sport.
Inspired by the meaning of La Fábrica—“The Factory” in Spanish —this program is designed to build, refine, and shape promising riders into top-tier competitors. This investment reflects LaGrange’s deep belief in the power of cycling to shape character, instill discipline, and create lifelong opportunities both on and off the bike.
The team had their first race on Jan 25 up north of Santa Barbara. Four of our riders competed in some serious wind this last weekend: Aidan rode in the Cat 3 division, and our Cat 4 included Chase, Tristan and Ryan. We encourage everyone on LG to follow and support these riders on Strava and IG.
Aidan showed up and finished the ride despite losing his home in the Palisades fire earlier in the month. Tristen and Ryan pushed their limits and learned a ton. Chase also drove hard…until a rock took him out of the race (some bruises, but Chase and his new LG race kit will be ready to go in the coming weeks).
Aldo Jimenez is managing the team after racing for us over the last years. He did a great job pulling the crew together headed into the weekend and has already started incorporating learnings from race #1 to prepare us for the coming season. This will include cooking classes for pre-race prep…someone ended up burning spaghetti the night before before the rest of the crew arrived to provide calories to the boys.
BJ Olsen helped Aldo design this new team and provides performance coaching for individuals and the team. LG member and Aidan’s dad, Sean Knierim, has been managing operations and board engagement.
Various members of the team will be competing during upcoming weekends so keep an eye out for the LG Race jersey. We will share news about the upcoming race schedule with the club - please come out and support the team!
And please connect with Sean (sean.knierim@gmail.com) or LaVoix@lagrange.org if you would like to learn more about supporting this great group of young riders.Club News
Club News
Happy Hour at Gilbert’s El Indio!
Thursday Feb 27. Details to follow soon.
Life on the back of a motorcycle in the Peleton: words and photographs from Brian Hodes, Pro Cycling Photographer.
Based in Los Angeles, Brian Hodes has been a professional cycling photographer, traveling the world pursuing his work for the last 20 years. He has worked with the ‘who’s who’ in the sport including three-time Tour de France Champion Chris Froome, and three-time World Road Champion Peter Sagan, along with the top teams including Bora-Hansgrohe and Israel Premiere Tech.
LG Volunteers – Get Involved!
One of the best parts of being in a cycling club is the opportunity to contribute to something bigger—helping make local cycling even better. Volunteering brings ownership, which leads to greater satisfaction. What we all want.
Leading the charge are David Newcombe and Colin Razor, who are heading up our Volunteer Committee. Whether you’re a seasoned helper or just looking to get involved, you can join the conversation on our WhatsApp “LG Volunteers” channel, where we’ll be sharing upcoming opportunities and coordinating efforts.
Brian Perkins helping Rob Seltzer move some furniture into their new home.
Stronger Together: The LaGrange Community’s Response to the Fires
by Tara Kriese
The Palisades and Altadena fires deeply impacted our community, with over a dozen La Grange members losing homes, facing displacement, or dealing with hazardous conditions. While the devastation has been immense, the outpouring of support from our members has been even more powerful.
From day one, LG members stepped up—offering bikes, kits, and gear, as well as temporary and long-term housing for those displaced. Others provided transportation and logistical support, filling critical gaps in the recovery process. Brands and partners also contributed, helping members get back on the road.
As we move into the resettlement and rebuilding phase, let’s continue to check in on those affected and encourage them to get back on the bike. Riding isn’t just about fitness—it’s about community, resilience, and support.
To everyone who has helped—thank you. La Grange is more than a club; it’s a family, and your generosity has made all the difference. Let’s keep riding, together.
Tandem Training Clinic with Wayfinder Family Services and LG member Sonya Chapman!
Help Sonya’s racing dream come true! Join us next Sunday afternoon to learn how to captain a tandem and support Sonya’s goal of racing one.
Saturday, February 8
1:00 – 3:00 PM
5300 Angeles Vista Blvd
No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm. Sign up here!
Club Rides Recap
January LG50 led by Marco Fantone and Dan Mitnick, SAG by Deb Carabet
Full photo album by Dan Mitnick- here
LG Women’s Rides
by Tara Kriese
The energy and momentum around our La Grange Women’s Rides have been incredible! Over the past two months, we’ve gone from just four riders on our first outing to 15 women at our most recent ride—with even more asking about this weekend’s ride. The enthusiasm from both longtime members and new faces has been inspiring, and it’s exciting to see more women getting involved, building confidence, and strengthening our community on the road.
Since we kicked off these rides, we’ve explored Bel Air, Palos Verdes, and Topanga, adapting along the way—including turning one of our women’s rides into a community ride the weekend after the Palisades fire because we all just needed to ride together. More than just miles, these rides have been a welcoming space for women to connect, learn, and gain confidence riding in a group. Many have joined the club after experiencing the camaraderie, support, and skill-building these rides offer.
Special thanks to our volunteer ride leaders thus far including Ginny Turner, Amy Hutner, and Renée Fox.
If you’ve been thinking about riding with us, now is the time! Our next Women’s Ride is this Saturday—we’ll meet at 8:00 AM at 26th & San Vicente for a scenic tour of Bel Air. Whether you’re new to group riding or just looking for a fun, supportive ride with other women, we’d love to have you join. Spread the word, bring a friend, and let’s keep this momentum rolling!
And beyond the bike, we’re planning our next Women’s Happy Hour—stay tuned! We’ll share details soon in WhatsApp and on our social channels, so keep an eye out and join us for some fun off the bike as well.
Women’s Ride to the PV Domes on January 18th
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
Elsewhere in the world.. The Tour Down Under… via Cycling News.com
The 2025 racing season is underway. Santos Tour Down Under recently concluded and this year it was Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly who claimed the top victories of the Australian summer, leading a podium full of international riders after tackling an array of stages which delivered some of the toughest terrain yet.
Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!
Support Our Sponsors
The beauty of European tradition, made in Los Angeles. Established 2006.
LG Club Members receive a 15% discount on your entire purchase, excluding gift cards, when you present your La Grange membership card.
Our beloved Caffe Luxxe Palisades Village location was among the businesses and homes lost during the fires and the Malibu location is temporarily closed. Please help support Caffe Luxxe by patronizing their other locations:
