La Voix December 2024
Hello La Grange!
Your December La Voix is here! Enjoy pro photos by Nigel from our Banquet at Bodega and photos by Dan Mitnick from recaps of a busy November including our Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels ride, Gravel ride and Pedal Mafia Happy Hour. Don’t miss out on our new Whats app community for club members only.
Happy Holidays!
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
Click on the image below to watch the “ONE TO GO” film featuring Coryn Rivera Labecki, the electrifying pro women’s racer who got her start with Velo Club La Grange.
Club News
NEW WhatsApp Community, only for La Grange members!
We know it can be a challenge to keep up with club updates and events across multiple platforms. To make things simpler, we’re excited to announce our new La Grange WhatsApp Community! Starting this month, all active, dues-paying members will have exclusive access to this community, putting the latest updates right at your fingertips.
Why Join the LG WhatsApp Community?
This new platform offers several key benefits for members:
Stay Informed: Get the latest club-wide announcements and updates in one central hub.
Direct Access to Members: Easily coordinate rides, connect with fellow riders, and share cycling tips.
On-the-Ride Communications: Stay in the loop with real-time updates on road conditions, re-groups, safety messages, emergencies, and ride leader and SAG communications.
Member-Only Access: Unlike social media, our WhatsApp Community is exclusively for dues-paying members, adding more value to your membership.
What’s Inside
Once you join, you’ll find sub-groups for specific interests:
Announcements 📢: The go-to channel for all essential club updates—stay informed on events, schedules, and important news.
CHAT: General discussions and photo sharing. Connect with your fellow club members!
RIDES: Routes, schedules, safety updates—ride info only, no chatting.
GRAVEL, WOMEN, RACE, TRACK: Dedicated spaces for specialized groups and initiatives.
How It Works
Admin Oversight: Select board members will serve as community admins to manage access, guide discussions, and uphold guidelines maintaining a respectful and focused environment, especially in the RIDE-specific channel, to keep information clear and relevant.
Customizable Notifications: Members can easily manage their notifications by muting specific sub-groups that aren’t relevant to them while still staying updated in the channels they care about most. This keeps communication accessible without overwhelming anyone’s notifications.
How to Get Started
Download WhatsApp if you don’t already have it. You can download WhatsApp for your devices using the following links:
iOS (iPhone): Download from the App Store
Android: Download from Google Play
Click the link below to join our Community:
Join Velo Club LaGrange
Once inside, join the sub-groups that match your interests, like Rides, Gravel, Race, Women, and more.
Customize your notifications to stay updated on the groups that matter most to you.
We’ll also be hosting a Q&A session for those new to WhatsApp. We look forward to simplifying and improving club communication with you all in one central hub!
Know someone who isn’t a member yet? Now is the perfect time to join to La Grange! Encourage your friends to start their membership and become part of our cycling community and join our new communications platform.
We can’t wait to make staying connected easier for everyone.
Women’s Happy Hour – November 7th
Our first LG Women’s Happy Hour was held on Thursday, November 7th, from 5-6pm at The Bungalow at the Fairmont Hotel. Thanks to all who joined us! If you missed it, you’ll have another chance to attend after the holidays, date TBA!
This event is all about connecting with fellow female cyclists, discussing future women’s events, rides, and brainstorming ways to encourage more women of all ages to join La Grange. Great ideas from our first meeting include:
UCLA feeder
A & B groups every ride
Staggered start times with B group going first
Rotating pace lines
Skills clinics- - Deb at PM
Clearly announce rules before each ride
Establish regroup distances
Women’s kit
Club collab rides
Possibly add an option to do 25 on the LG 50
Fun places to end rides: firestone, bodega, breakfast burritos,
Safety is a top concern, especially in keeping groups together on pch
Possible Xmas ride to look at lights
Reach out to Tara and Renee if you are interested to attend our next LG Women’s Happy Hour where we look forward to your input on how we can shape a strong, inclusive, and fun women’s program.
T&R
Inaugural Gravel Series Ride – November 3, 2024
By Brian Perkins
Want to see more pics from the day? Check out the complete album by Dan Mitnick here!
What started as a windy, chilly day turned into an amazing adventure for Velo Club La Grange’s inaugural gravel ride. While this idea has been discussed for years, La Grange has long been known as a road bike racing club. However, as we all know, cyclists often own more than just road bikes—gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and even e-bikes. And so, a new chapter begins.
We had an incredible turnout for our first venture off the pavement, with 35–40 riders showing up on a variety of bikes: gravel, mountain, aggressive road bikes, and even a few electric mountain bikes. Many of our seasoned LG members were excited to dust off their gravel steeds, while newcomers from other local clubs joined in to get dirty in the Santa Monica Mountains. The enthusiasm was palpable as everyone came together to tackle a fun route, make new friends, and enjoy fewer cars and more nature.
The route took us up Sullivan Ridge, out toward Trippet Ranch, around the Hub loop, and back. The day began with a well-mannered group of gravel riders—some clad in baggies, others in spandex—chatting as we climbed the pavement to the trailhead. Once the dirt began, the group spread out along the mountain.
Our first highlight came at the Nike Missile Station, where Tara greeted us at the SAG stop with plenty of hydration and snacks (including vegan-friendly options). Spirits were high as we regrouped, refueled, and shared stories before a shorter route group headed back into the city.
The more adventurous half of the group continued toward Trippet Ranch, tackling the Hub loop and enjoying stunning views near Eagle Rock. A quick regroup and a group photo—courtesy of a passing hiker—marked the halfway point. The return leg got spicy, with seasoned gravel riders pacing back to the SAG stop for round two of Tara’s snacks and encouragement.
The final push took us over Canyonback and through the Mountain Gate community, finishing with the roller-coaster descent of the Whoop-de-Doos. As luck would have it, I went over the bars on the third jump, but thankfully Nikki De Falco was right behind me, ready to dust me off. With only minor injuries (mostly a hit to my ego), we regrouped for the descent down Kenter and a well-deserved breakfast at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, where coffee and burritos were waiting.
As we headed home—tired, dirty, and full of good food—the conversation turned to when we’d tackle our next gravel adventure. For me, the day ended with a quick trip to urgent care for a check-up (no broken bones, just a prescription and a story to tell). I’m already looking forward to Chapter 2 of LG’s gravel adventures.
Mark your calendars for December 15! The route is TBD, but I’ll be happy to lead again, and I am looking for some volunteers to assist. Please DM me if interested.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special shoutout to Tara Kriese and Larry Goodman for keeping the group safe and sound. Bring your adventurous spirit and a friend as we once again escape the cars and enjoy the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains. See you on the trails!
La Grange Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels Ride
On Thanksgiving, La Grange did our traditional ride, this year along our beautiful coast to Malaga Cove and back to raise money for Meals on Wheels. Thanks to all who joined in supporting this important cause!
For photos from this beautiful day by Dan Mitnick, click here
Happy Hour at Pedal Mafia, Wednesday, Nov 6
On November 6th, club members enjoyed an evening of snacks, beverages, and socializing with fellow La Grange members and friends at LG sponsor Pedal Mafia on Main St. in Santa Monica. Great to see so many friendly faces! For more pics by Dan Mitnick, click here
Cycling News in the World
Sustainability, SafeR, and Women’s ProTeams on the UCI agenda for 2025
By Kirsten Frattini
On November 6th, club members enjoyed an evening of snacks, beverages, and socializing with fellow La Grange members and friends at LG sponsor Pedal Mafia on Main St. in Santa Monica. Great to see so many friendly faces! Read the article on Cycling News
Support Our Sponsors
APIR, COHEN, TREYZON & SALO, LLP (ACTS Law)
Valuable club member benefits from our sponsor ACTS Law:
La Grange members receive access to free track certifications at the world-famous VELO Sports Center.
Apir, Cohen, Treyzon & Salo, LLP (ACTS Law) specializes in cycling-related personal injury cases. They can be reached at 310-793-1400