La Voix February 2021

Click on a blue link to go to that section of La Voix

NEW Nichols RIde Kit DESIGN CONTEST

The 2021 La Grange Club Photo: COVID Edition – February 21st

2021 La Grange Sponsor Deals Updated

Do you wanna race for LG? Sign up (again) Now

Coach’s Corner with Coach Andy

SOS-Support Our Sponsors: Win a custom Canyon

SOS-Support Our Sponsors: Cannon Engineering

New Members 

---

YOU can design the new World Famous Nichols Ride Kit!!

This sux! You can do better!

World Famous Nichols Ride Kit Design Contest!

That’s right, we are bringing back the World Famous Nichols Ride Kit! What better way to honor the longevity and beatdown of this weekly L.A. cycling institution. But this time we have a twist: We are opening the design to the ENTIRE cycling community and then the winner will be chosen by you, the La Grange membership. The winning design will be produced for sale by LG sponsor, VIE13.

So get out your crayons and put on your artist cap and get inspired. Get the full details by clicking the link below.

---

2021 Annual La Grange Club Photo

It’s time, once again, for the Annual Velo Club La Grange Club Photo. But, wait…there’s no group rides…heck, there are NO GROUPS! How are we gonna do this? Well, La Grange has come up with an innovative approach to doing a group photo in the age of COVID and social distancing.

On Sunday, February 21st, we will have a photographer out at the corner of San Vicente and Ocean (SVO) to take your solo, socially-distant photograph. Imagine your high school photo but with a better haircut (hopefully). Come by anytime between the hours of 8 am and 12 noon to get your picture taken. The pictures will then be collaged into a single photo and published on the club website.

Please wear your 2021 kit!! If you don’t have that, the 2020 club kit and the LG 50 kits are acceptable. We will have special Sponsor goodies for all attendees, so we hope to see you there.

---

2021 La Grange Sponsor Deals Updated

Your La Grange sponsorship team wanted you to know that more of your Member Benefits are in place for your immediate use. Updated deals from Vie 13 Kustom clothing, Skratch Labs nutrition, and Bont Cycling shoes are up. These companies offer these awesome deals ONLY to La Grange members. To access them, log in to the Member Benefits page on the LG website using your member login.

As always, we are incredibly grateful for the support and confidence these great companies have shown in Velo Club La Grange. We encourage you to take advantage of these perks and post your thanks to social media.

---

Do you (wanna) race for LG? Sign up (again) now!

Veteran LG racer, Victor Ayala, shows how to corner in a pack!

Racing is fun! Racing for LG is more fun. Not only do you get to go into bike battle with the coolest people, but you also get to enjoy the full support of Velo Club La Grange. This includes the use of Ft. La Grange, the race tent extravaganza, and the LG Sprinter van. The LG race team participates in all disciplines (road, cross, MTB, and TT) and races locally and regionally as well as in neighboring states. Did we mention special sponsorship deals for race team members? We love our racers. We still don’t know when we will get back to racing together but don’t let that stop you. Join the LG Race Team today!

SIGN UP AGAIN: Even if you are a returning LG racer, please sign up again. In January of 2021, we purged our race roster and are currently rebuilding it. EVERY RACER SHOULD SIGN UP, whether new or returning.

---

Coaches Corner with Coach Andy

Interested in racing? Or maybe you just want to get faster…

Get excited! Our very own Coach Andy Applegate has agreed to do a Coach’s Corner Zoom series with us! Here’s a quick look at what we’ll be discussing:

• February 4th – Goal Setting & Periodization

• February 18th – Workout Specificity

• March 4th – Tactics

All sessions will be at 7pm PST.

VCLG club member Andy Applegate is a CTS Pro Level Coach and USA Cycling Level 1 Coach. He has coached pro, national, regional, and recreational athletes full time since 2001, helping athletes win national championships in road, track, and even a cyclocross world championship. As an athlete he has competed in cycling and ultrarunning events for almost 30 years, which includes earning 10+ national champion titles, as well as 5th place at the Masters’ WorldTime Trial championships and two silver medals at masters cyclocross nationals. You're most likely to see him riding around town on a tandem mountain bike with his wife Cara, which they piloted to three Leadville 100 mountain bike tandem category victories.

If you’d like to ask Andy any topic related questions send them ahead of time to caraapplegate@gmail.com.

Can’t wait to see you all there!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97279411467?pwd=dmFYYmUxY0VZMGc4ZnF3VDNBamJKZz09

Meeting ID: 972 7941 1467
Passcode: 476886

One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,97279411467# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,97279411467# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 972 7941 1467

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abzJHHBBDa

---

SOS: Support Our Sponsors: Canyon Bicycles

Win a custom Canyon and support SAU

Enter to win a custom Saint Augustine's-themed Canyon Ultimate CF SLX bicycle! Support the future of cycling for your chance to win a one-of-a-kind Canyon Ultimate CF SLX—featuring the same elite carbon frame ridden by the Movistar WorldTour team at the Tour de France—with custom SAU team colors, inscribed with Major Taylor's famous quote “In a word I was a pioneer and therefore had to blaze my own trail” in your size and ready to ride!

---

SOS: Support Our Sponsors: Cannon Eng.

Cannon is a multidisciplinary engineering firm with offices along the West Coast. At their core, they are engineering professionals who work with clients across many markets, from Commercial and Residential Development to Public Infrastructure and Water Resources, Energy, Aerospace, and Education. They’ve been providing “Reliable Responsive Solutions” to clients since 1976. 

Located on West Olympic Boulevard, they stand ready to assist on projects throughout the Los Angeles and SoCal region.

In addition to engineering, the Cannon Team has a passion for cycling! The Cannon Coasters are a group of Cannon associates who take their love of cycling to the road for an annual long distance ride. To date, The Cannon Coasters have ridden the full length of California from Mexico to Oregon in segments, and now they are doing it all over again! The most recent ride was from San Luis Obispo to Santa Monica. 

FUND A WATER WELL!

Cannon's passion project is the Well Worth It Campaign, through which they raise awareness and funds to bring clean water to global communities. Since 2010, they’ve raised more than $140,000 to build 24 wells and fund a drilling rig. They have partnered with the charitable organization charity: water to make this goal a reality. 

---

New Members

Please welcome our new members who joined in December 2020 and January 2021!

Nick H., Andrew F., Benjamin S., Mitchell G., Doug W., Aldo J., Joanne L., Theodore G., Danny M., Emmitt G., Juliette F., Justin J., McKayla P., Owen B., Rupert C., Sarah V., Theo M., and Zack B. Welcome, everyone!

La Voix Tribute to Claude Innocenti

Claude Innocenti, former President of La Grange, who served on the Board of Directors for over 20 years, has died. Club members Tom Byrnes, Bill Burrell, Jay Slater, and Marco Fantone have shared some special memories and photos of a very special man. Please take the time to read and learn about the incredible commitment Claude had to our club. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Claude and Michelle Innocenti. They were married for 33 years.

Claude and Michelle

Written by Tom Byrnes:
I met Claude about twenty years ago. He looked like a French movie star, with his good looks, flowing silver hair, ready smile, nice eyes and his English, with a French accent. And, always well dressed.  At some point in time after being a La Grange member, I asked Claude about his last name (Innocenti), as it sounded Italian (which it is) to me. He told me that his name was Italian, but that he had been born and raised in Nice. I had been to the Nice and Cannes area about ten separate times and love that area, so we had places and things to talk about.

Claude had four brothers. The oldest brother immigrated to New York City and became the captain of a mainly French amateur soccer team in NYC. Claude was recruited by his brother to come to New York and play with the soccer team, as Claude was a pretty good goalie. Claude came to NYC, joined the soccer team and his brother got him a job in a restaurant.

Claude continued working in the restaurant business, ultimately working his way up with Conrad Hotels (Hilton’s international division) as Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage Worldwide. He traveled the world opening the new properties owned by Conrad in Europe, Australia and the Caribbean. While working in Australia opening a Hilton Hotel, he met his wife Michelle.  

Claude told me how he was officially introduced to La Grange. He had enjoyed meeting and talking with Raymond. Raymond invited him to go for a bike ride (maybe the Sunday Nichols Ride) and Claude readily accepted. Claude showed up at the ride start wearing tennis shorts, a t-shirt and sneakers and riding a cruiser-style bike. Raymond arrived on his road bike wearing his La Grange cycling kit. 

Claude obviously made the adjustment. He soon embraced cycling. When he retired from Hilton International, he seemed to go to work for Velo Club La Grange. My recollection is that he was the President of La Grange for about eight years, and he actually served as President twice, and then became the Club Treasurer for about fifteen years. But, whatever the actual number of years, for many, many years Claude gave significant time and attention to La Grange. When I joined the Board, Claude was the Treasurer.

Claude appears to be the last of the Frenchmen of La Grange. Claude always made sure that the Club remembered Raymond. He stayed in touch with Raymond and visited with him often at Raymond's house in El Segundo and later his care facility in Culver City.   Claude always reminded the club of Raymond's birthday every year (December 26th, as Marco just reminded everyone). Claude would order a birthday cake for Raymond and for a few years, Claude, Marco, Jay, Stu Press, Dean Smith, me and others would bring the cake and visit Raymond at his care facility in Culver City.

Claude was also instrumental in arranging to pick up Raymond from his care facility to transport Raymond in a wheelchair accessible taxi van to the Brentwood Grand Prix each year. The Club would take Raymond, Alex Baum (another Frenchmen and deservedly called the "Father of Cycling in Los Angeles"). It was always wonderful to see and listen to Claude, Raymond, and Chef Rudy together speaking French.

Claude was a very good athlete. Besides playing soccer when he was younger, Claude also loved playing tennis. He avidly followed the pro cycling peloton and the grand tours. Claude was well into his 70’s when we went up to the Russian River area to cycle for a week a few years ago.

I feel very fortunate that I met and became friends with Claude.  He was a great person.  All who knew him will miss him.

Claude embraced life and set a good example for the rest of us.  Carpe diem.

Best always to all,
Tom

Raymond’s 90th Birthday Dec 2010: Raymond Fouquet, Marco Fantone, Alex Baum, Claude Innocenti

September 2004 Annual Piuma Hill Climb: Claude Innocenti (center), Duncan Lemmon (right).

Written by Bill Birrell
Claude Innocenti was THE MAN!

He had it all. The classic movie-star looks. The presence. The principles. The drive and determination. The George Clooney level class. Oh, yeah. And that accent!

I am lucky he was my friend.

I met him on a LaGrange Club ride or at Starbucks thereafter sometime in 1993. You couldn’t help but be drawn to his circle as he held a cup of coffee in one hand, and your whole shoulder in his other as he regaled you with a broad variety of stories stretching from his home above a grocery store in Nice, France during WWII to the latest Sepulveda sprint not 15 minutes before.

I have a distinct memory of shaking his hand. It was huge! It engulfed my own. His grip was like his character: Firmness exuding confidence, yet soft and gentle at the same time. The texture was completely smooth.

Claude loved his wife Michelle, his birth-place France, his sports car (with a racing clutch so stiff you had to be a sprinter to shift it), fine food and wine, cycling, Raymond Fouquet and Velo Club LaGrange.

Claude applied the lessons he learned as Head of Food and Beverage for Hilton International to his service of Velo Club LaGrange. For many years he served as its President and thereafter as its treasurer. While he could master the management of people and even the opacity of early digital accounting software, for some reason he could not fathom the system settings on his Mac computer. As his neighbor, I often became his system administrator. He was always incredibly gracious about my efforts to help him.

Claude made a tremendous contribution to the club. All of us who enjoy the multitude of club benefits - from the sponsors, to the support, and even the friendships VCLG brings us - owe him a debt of gratitude.

Merci beaucoup
Bill Birrell

April 2006 La Grange Annual Picnic

December 2004: La Grange Night at Helen's

November 2011 Raymond Fouquet and Claude Innocenti

Written by Jay Slater

I joined La Grange in 2001. I remember meeting Claude early in my membership. Claude was never shy about giving his opinion. We would ride together occasionally and he would wax on about the Club he loved and had choice words for the Board.

I remember one ride when somehow we got on the subject of Social Security! I mentioned how I was really looking forward to the day I could begin to collect at age 62. He looked me square in the eye, and with a dead serious look, said he was looking forward to that day too! I looked at him and said “Claude, you are ten years older then me so you are eligible already”. He told me “No, I’m only 59!”. I knew that I had unleashed the Jack Benny of La Grange.

We joked about that ride occasionally. When I became President of La Grange, Claude had no shortage of advice for how to run the Club. In all honesty he gave me what turned out to be really good ideas.

I will miss him and his very real bon ami!
Jay Slater

November 2011 La Grange Annual Banquet: Claude and Chef Rudy.

December 2005 Claude Innocenti

2001 Claude Innocenti

Written by Marco Fantone

I first met Claude in 1997. I knew right away that he ran the club with an iron grip. You didn’t just get to join the club back then, you had to know a current club member and then be accepted. Luckily, I passed muster and soon thereafter I was at Claude’s home picking up my first ever La Grange jersey. I was so stoked!

If I had to sum up my relationship with Claude it would be that I felt I really needed to earn his trust in order to be taken seriously which I don’t believe happened for quite a number of years. That seemed to change during my term as LG president. What this ultimately shows is his passionate commitment to the club and its success. He needed to know that those on the Board with him were as committed as he was.

Claude had a heart of gold. I will deeply miss his character and everything French about him because that’s what really helped make La Grange the club and race team that it was under his leadership.

Bon Voyage Claude!
Marco Fantone

November 2016 Marco Fantone and Claude Innocenti.

Raymond Fouquet and Claude Innocenti

Brentwood Grand Prix: Dan Weinberg, Alex Baum, Tom Brynes, Raymond Fouquet, Mystery Lady, Claude Innocenti

Thanksgiving 2013. L-R Jay Slater, Brian Pera , Dean Smith , Raymond Fouquet, Tom Byrnes, Marco Fantone, Claude Innocenti

La Voix January 2021

Click on a blue link to go to that section of La Voix

Record-Setting Meals-on-Wheels Donation Drive

2021 La Grange Sponsor Deals

Diversity and Cycling: A Young Man’s Story

Canyon Bikes Sponsors The First HBCU Cycling Team

SOS: Support Our Sponsors: Rudy Project

SOS: Support Our Sponsors: Skratch Labs

New Members 

---

La Grange sets a new record for MOW donations!

Wow! You did it, La Grange! Due to your incredible generosity, you helped La Grange set a new record for donations to Meals-on-Wheels—West LA. You raised a whopping $4200. Plus we had a very generous anonymous matching donation of $4000 for a total of $8200!!! We are incredibly grateful and humbled by the sense of selfless giving of our members. We all realize that riding bikes is a luxury and being part of the cycling community is a gift. We thank you all for spreading the love and goodwill this year. Many people will have a brighter and less hungry 2021 thanks to you.

To find out more about Meals-on-Wheels - West LA, please click here.

---

The 2021 La Grange Sponsor Deals

We are very excited to announce our 2021 member perks. Most of the deals are in place but the final logistics for a few sponsors are still in the works. These deals are for current La Grange members only. To view the deals please click this link. If you aren’t yet a member, please join by signing up at https://www.lagrange.org/join

---

They called me “The Painted Man”

Ama Nsek is a 21-year-old racer who recently signed with L39ION of LA. A few weeks ago, he posted a powerful post on Instagram, shared by many. This essay is an expansion of that post. Content warning: There is explicit language enclosed.

https://cyclingtips.com/2020/11/they-called-me-the-painted-man/

---

Canyon Sponsors First HBCU Cycling Team

St. Augustine’s University, a private liberal arts college in Raleigh, NC is doing something big. In May of 2020, it became the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the United States to formally establish a competitive cycling program. The Falcons will compete in USA Cycling’s Atlantic division, which includes powerhouses like Duke, NC State and Wake Forest.

It’s a historic first for HBCUs everywhere. But it’s a milestone that echoes the singular achievement of Marshall Walter Taylor, better known as Major Taylor. The world’s first Black superstar athlete and the world cycling champion in 1899. 121 years ago, he was the Jackie Robinson of his day.

Just as Major Taylor pedaled through prejudice and outright racism to succeed in a white-dominated sport, the young Black cyclists at SAU know they’ll have to overcome tremendous obstacles, too. This series chronicles the SAU Cycling Team’s first year as a team.
This series chronicles the SAU Cycling Team's first year as a team. #ChasingHistory #HBCU #MyCanyon

Follow SAU Cycling: https://www.instagram.com/saucycling/

---

SOS: Support Our Sponsors: Rudy Project

Team Helmet and Glasses

Rudy Project is the official Helmet and Sunglasses sponsor for the 2021 La Grange race team. We can’t wait to see the LG squad rocking the new gear. Both men’s and women’s teams will be sporting the new RP Spectrum helmet in white. This helmet features three in-mold EPS liners knitted together. This unique structure boosts ventilation while keeping this race machine extremely lightweight and comfortable

For Sunglasses, the men will be wearing the CUTLINE while the women will be sporting the DEFENDER. These products blend an innate racing attitude with the most advanced eyewear technology. Both sunglasses feature moldable ear and nosepieces and removable lenses. Both versions will have blue Multilaser ice lenses.

---

SOS: Support Our Sponsors: Skratch Labs

Yummy Winter Skratch Hacks

How about a Skratch Eggnog recovery drink? Or A nutritious Vanilla Cinnamon Latte, Skratch style? Put away the Swissmiss, and the coffee creamers laden with preservatives and artificial flavors, and reward your workouts with Skratch’s Recovery Mix served hot! Skratch Recovery can also be used for coffee creamer!

---

New Members

Please welcome Andrew, Benjamin, Mitchell, and Nick, our four new members who joined in December 2020.