Hello La Grange!
Your November La Voix is so full of awesome VCLG club news and announcements that I’ll be skipping outside cycling news for this issue. Without giving too much away, included are Board election results, Nov LG50 recap, new LG Gravel rides, LG Happy Hour at Pedal Mafia, a special Women’s Happy Hour, LG Banquet save the date, new kit in the PM store, some incredible accomplishments by our very own LG members and an exciting sale on Rudy Project gear just for club members! Enjoy and don’t forget to vote!
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.
Race News
2024 YMCA Stair Climb - Race Report by Nick Gillock
Photo credit: Nick Gillock
Event: 2024 YMCA Stair Climb
Result: 2nd Place Overall “Elite” Category
Report: This is 3rd time I’ve done this event and it is the 31st Edition. The format is a time trial up the 75-Story US Bank Tower in Downtown Los Angeles … the tallest US Building West of the Mississippi. There are a total of 1,664 stairs to climb. Climbers start 30 seconds apart and with a total of 1775 participants it is an all day event. Staging is on 5th street right across from the Central Library.
In 2023 I’d started too hard and suffered badly at the top. Since I work in a 29-story building here in DTLA my training this time of year is a mixture of time on the bike (gotta stay sharp for Piuma HC) along with lunchtime climbs up my building’s stairs. However since my practice stair is only 1/3 the height of the US Bank Tower it is always a bit of a shock to do the full 75-story distance. The good news is that IMO stair climbing is much more similar to climbing on a bicycle than it is to running.
On Friday morning I cut out of work and headed over, getting kitted-up in my LG Race Colors and doing a warm-up in on my bike on a trainer in the parking structure. I had again signed-up for the “Elite” category which starts first and in my mind it better then than with the “Open” Category that follows … fewer folks to pass going up.
We self-seeded at the start and I lined by 3rd behind a guy from Colorado and a young guy built like a gazelle. My pacing strategy was to do 6-floors per minute which would have brought me in at around 12:30 … roughly equal to my 2022 best time. Unfortunately that whole chasing and being chased thing got the better of me yet again and about ½ way up I was redlined. I did however around this point pass the guy ahead of me and soldiered on. What might have been a very fast time slipped away as I slowed considerably for the last 15 or so floors. At the finish I was utterly completely spent but overjoyed to learn a bit later that my effort had been good enough for 2nd overall in the Elites (around 1min behind the winner)
This year though for the first time YMCA will not be the end of my stair-climbing season. On Nov 2nd we are taking my son for a college visit in Chicago and I will be doing the Willis Tower (formally Sears Tower) Stair Climb. At 105 floors and 2,135 steps it should be a big challenge. Please send a prayer my way that I don’t go to fast at the start for that one! Still looking for some LG’ers to join me for the YMCA 2025 event. Reach out to me if you have any questions. Cheers and thanks for reading!
Club News
Attention, Women of La Grange! Join Us for a Special Women’s Happy Hour – November 7th
We’re so excited to kick off our focus on women with a Happy Hour on Thursday, November 7th, from 5-6pm at The Bungalow at the Fairmont Hotel.
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.
The club will provide light appetizers. Feel free to bring a friend who might be interested in joining the club!
Tara and Renee are looking forward to your input on how we can shape a strong, inclusive, and fun women’s program.
Hope to see you there!
T&R
LG Gravel Rides are Here! Join Us for the Kickoff Event and Weekly Adventures
We’re excited to launch our new gravel ride series, led by Brian Perkins, and welcome both current members and newcomers to join us. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just curious to try gravel, these rides offer a perfect opportunity to explore new routes and meet new people. Dust off your gravel or mountain bike and join us!
Kickoff Event: Daylight Savings Gravel Loop, Led by Brian Perkins
Sunday, 11/3 at 7:30am, Starting at SVO (San Vicente & Ocean)
No drop ride with a great starter route and shorter turn-offs for beginners:
Full Ride - 34 miles & 4358’ Strava Route
Shorter Ride – 20 miles & 2454’ Strava Route
SAG Van support providing limited nutrition, snacks and water at San Vicente Mountain Park (Nike Missile Control Site)
Regular LG Weekly Gravel Ride Series
The fun doesn’t stop after the kickoff! Our regular weekly gravel rides begin on Wednesday, November 6th, at 6:30am, meeting at San Vicente & 26th. Each week, Brian Perkins will guide us on a different route, typically covering 20-25 miles with 2,000-3,000 feet of climbing.
These rides are a fantastic way to connect with the La Grange community and introduce new friends to our club. So bring a buddy, enjoy the adventure, and help us grow our gravel family! Stay tuned for more news for gravel riders, including skills clinics and more. A big thank you to Brian Perkins for volunteering to get this series started and sharing his passion for gravel riding with the club.
October LG 50 Recap- Led by Dan Mitnick, Van driven by Lisa Goldfarb
Saturday was a gorgeous day to ride the coast… It began with a crisp clear fall morning as our riders gathered around to share hot delicious coffee by Caffe Luxe and freshly baked warm banana bread (thanks Dan M!). The promise for a social ride was mostly kept, as the happy peloton left made its way up the coast on PCH to a SAG stop at El Pescador State Beach and back to Santa Monica Brew Works. Enjoy a sampling of ride photos below, by Dan Mitnick.
Want to lead an LG50? Email lavoix@lagrange.org !
Want to see more pics from the day? Check out the complete album here!
La Grange Riders Tackle the 10/10 Mandeville Challenge for Suicide Prevention
On Thursday, October 10th, World Mental Health Day, La Grange members took part in the 10/10 Mandeville Challenge for Suicide Prevention, joining cyclists from across the community to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. La Grange had an amazing turnout, with board members Lisa Goldfarb and Tara Kriese, along with members Brian Perkins, Richard Beale, Judy Hartley, Philippa Moore, Tom Hill, Alan Eskovitz, and Christa Schmidt.
Lisa and Brian completed an impressive 10 Mandeville climbs, Richard finished 8, and Tara completed 6, with the rest of the riders completing several laps each, all under a hot sun as the morning fog lifted. Despite the challenge, the camaraderie was undeniable, with arm pumps and words of encouragement exchanged as riders powered through and passed one another on Mandy.
A special shoutout to Karen Hooper from Grand Masters Cycling, who completed 3 laps herself before setting up a hydration station that kept everyone refreshed with water, apple slices, and energy bars.
The event was organized by Trevor Schraufnagel, Richard Beale’s neighbor and a clinical psychologist, who emphasized the ride’s symbolic connection to mental health challenges. This was Trevor’s fourth time organizing the event, and this year saw the largest turnout ever, with 28 riders participating—far surpassing previous years participation. The funds raised were donated to the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, which works to improve mental health care through proper training and certification of providers.
In total, 28 riders completed nearly 100 laps and raised $1,336. Trevor Schraufnagel and Richard Beale hope to make this an annual event and plan to expand outreach next fall to invite even more participants to join in supporting this important cause.
Huge kudos to everyone who participated and supported this meaningful ride!
For videos from the day, click here and here
LG at Phils Fondo 2024
Thanks to all who volunteered to support the 2024 Phils Fondo at the LG tent! For more pics, click here.
Election Results 2024 Board of Directors
We are excited to announce the results of the 2024 Board of Directors election for Velo Club La Grange. A big thank you to all the members who participated in the voting process and helped shape the future of our club. Please join us in welcoming our newly elected board members who will bring fresh ideas and energy to the club. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead under their leadership! Bodie Olmos, Lisa Goldfarb, Dan Mitnick, Marco Fantone, Dan Funk & Tara Kriese!
Pedal Mafia Store Open + New French National kit…
The long-awaited (14 years!!!) French National kit has returned! Yes, it really has been since 2010 when the club last offered this simple, classy kit to the membership. The purpose is to highlight and celebrate our club founder, Raymond Fouquet, and the French heritage of our club. You WILL look good in this kit!
In addition to the French National kit, we are still offering our official 2024 club and race kits. Also, for anyone looking for a set of bibs to match most La Grange jerseys from the past couple of decades, you will find the all-blue bibs from 2023 in the store.
Check your La Grange email for the link and special code. Feel free to PM Marco Fantone with any questions.
Happy Hour at Pedal Mafia, Wednesday, Nov 6
Mark your calendars for a night of fun, food, and community! Join us on November 6th from 6 PM to 8 PM at Pedal Mafia on Main St. in Santa Monica for an evening of snacks, beverages, and socializing with fellow La Grange members and friends.
At: Pedal Mafia, 2909 Main St., Santa Monica CA 90405
6 PM - 8 PM
Whether you’re new to the club or a long-time member, this is a great opportunity to connect, relax, and enjoy a night dedicated to our cycling community. We hope to see you there!
Welcome, New Members!
Please say hello to our new members who joined or rejoined in October 2024 (you can find them in our Member Directory):
Erik C., Monti K., and Seth B.
Stay Informed:
Keep-up with LG Rides & News
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Support Our Sponsors
Rudy Project
La Grange members receive preferred pricing on Rudy Project helmets, sunglasses, and prescription!
Did you know? Rudy Project has been a proud partner of Velo Club La Grange for 17+ years!
All La Grange members receive preferred pricing (the largest discount available!) on Rudy Project helmets, sunglasses, and prescription via this magic LINK
Rudy Project offers 1 day shipping to the Los Angeles area (US HQ is in San Clemente) and incredible customer support (90-day return window)
About Rudy Project:
-Designed and crafted in Italy for 40 years with a focus on making the world’s highest quality cycling helmets and eyewear
-Fully adjustable ear stems and nose pieces for a truly custom fit
-Strategically placed vents in frames and lenses to mitigate fogging
-Huge range of frame colors and lens options (mirrored, polarized, photochromic, readers)
-ImpactX photochromic lenses: 1 lens for any light condition…and it’s unbreakable!
-More prescription solutions than any other sports eyewear brand
-Commitment to sustainability: frames derived from plant-based materials
-Brand new REBEL road/gravel helmet : 5-start Virginia Teach safety rating, FidLock magnetic buckle system, carbon shell reduces weight and increases safety and airflow
