La Voix February 2024

RACING NEWS

CBR

 

CBR race report as told by Morgan James:

”I raced in the opening race of the season at CBR this Sunday in the women’s pro 1/2/3 race! We had a great turnout of 24 women I believe. Lots of great competition with some internationally ranked competitors. I was definitely in my head entering the race, feeling doubtful of my preparation. I’m happy to say that I had a great race! I was able to get out there, overcome my negative head space, and give it my best shot! I won some points towards the overall sprint standing and was able to earn a bronze medal at the finish! Overall, I’m so excited to see what the rest of this season has in store!”

 

Santa Barbara County Road Race

 
 

The Santa Barbara County Road Race on January 27th marked the start of the season as riders from Velo Club La Grange geared up for the challenging course in Sisquoc. With perfect weather, our team engaged in fierce competition across three categories.

In the Masters 35+ category, Peter Virth earned a commendable 15th position against stiff competition. I had a strong showing in the Masters 45+ category, with 7th place. Nick Gillock displayed exceptional form in the Masters 55+ category, with a 3rd place podium finish. Meanwhile, in the Masters 60+ category, Mike Waugh, new to both La Grange and our race team, battled to 17th. 

Our team is proud of their performance at the Santa Barbara County Road Race, a promising start to the race season!

CLUB NEWS
Save the Date! Helen’s Night Returns This Month - Thursday, Feb 22nd at 6 pm

 
 
 

Please join us for the return of Helen’s Night on Thursday, Feb 22nd at 6 pm. This super fun event is basically a big party for La Grange members, with food, drinks, and discounts on all things bikes. For one night, Helen’s will offer 25% off everything in the store except for bikes and GPS units which will be 15% off! Come visit or discover your local bike shop with a history of serving the local community since 1936. Bring your shopping list and stock up while mingling with Club members and Helen’s staff and mechanics! Pizza and drinks will be served. Stay tuned for announcements as we get closer to the date. Helen’s Cycles is located at 2501 Broadway in Santa Monica, CA, 90404.

 

LG Happy Hour with Sean Quinn at Gilbert’s

 

Happy Hour Recap: Sean Quinn Q&A! Read on to learn about the most powerful performance enhancer in the modern peloton…

A chilly January evening on the back Gilbert’s patio was made warm and festive by glowing heat lamps overhead, super friendly service, delicious quesadillas, taquitos, chips, margaritas, beer, and a full house of LGers in puffer coats. A few braved the frigid weather and arrived by bike. Sean Quinn with Education First Easy Post and friend Artem Schmidt who races U23 with Hagens Berman Axeon (the same team Sean started with as a Pro) spent the entire evening with LaGrange mingling and engaging in a casual, informative Q&A with our guests. Board Member Larry Goodman led the conversation starting with how Sean’s year with EF will look…

Things are going great with EF. In fact, the team extended his contract another 3 years and Sean is set to race the Giro this year (and possibly the Olympics)! 

Sean’s home in Europe is in Nice, and both he and Artem shared that traveling to other countries for racing was their favorite perk of their job. 

Sean doesn’t particularly like racing with radios. They can’t listen to music and everybody in the peloton gets the same info at the same time, for example, an approaching bottleneck, which causes the entire peloton to get nervous and surge at once.

Neither Sean nor Artem cross-train, but they are kept at nearly 0% body fat for racing. Careful nutrition and lack of weight bearing or impact exercise means their bones become quite frail so they take regular supplements to improve bone density.

When asked what is the single most impactful performance enhancer in the modern peloton  Sean shared: carbohydrates! He ingests up to 180 carbs per hour while racing, mostly through gels. Nutrition bars would be too cumbersome and take too long to eat and digest. The high carbohydrate diet makes the racers extremely fast but has its drawbacks as many pros suffer from indigestion. And so, eating during a multi-day race becomes a chore- Artem admitted that white rice for breakfast day after day can be a bit of a downer.

For those of you who did not know, Sean is from SoCal. Marco Fantone remembers riding with 13-year-old Sean at Nichols back in the day.

Finally, the answer to the question many of you were probably wondering: Sean rides Shimano.

 

January LG 50

 

Velo Club La Grange kicked off the 2024 season with a nice, easy-to-moderate pace up PCH North to La Piedra Beach. The weather could not have been more perfect!

The January LG50 was led by Bodie and Dan M. and started at our club sponsors, Helen’s Cycles, where 54 riders left to head north along PCH. The peloton took in spectacular ocean and mountain views on an unseasonably warm and clear day, a very welcome reprieve from our cold and wet LA winter. Our LG van was with our team at the Santa Barbara road race, so Lisa Goldfarb who provided awesome SAG support for the ride drove the Helens van to picturesque La Piedra Beach. A festive few enjoyed a cold beer at Santa Monica Brew Works after the ride. Thank you to Bodie, Lisa, and Dan for your work on this LG50 and Dan for documenting our gorgeous ride along the coast!

 

All Clubs Gala

 

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed the All Clubs LA Gala Weekend, a 4-day celebration of cycling and community. Founded by Ken Vinson, All Clubs LA's mission is to foster diversity, respect, and inclusion in cycling while engaging in industry information sharing and promoting access. The ACLA Gala is a local and nationwide endeavor, bringing in riders from all over the country.

All Clubs Weekend as told by Jaycee Cary:

I started the weekend early and joined the Friday “A-ride”. Several hundred riders started from downtown Long Beach, in an amazing parade of colorful kits, bikes, and characters. The groups split into multiple paces (A, B, and C) in the Long Beach marina and things got spicy. There were many new faces in the group as well as the usual assassins (Rahsaan Bahati and Charon Smith) and friends of La Grange, Elijah Baker (Pedal Mafia), Patrick Rolden, and Mario Miller (Canyon). We went as far as Newport Coast in a collection and sprints, climbs, and time trials interspersed with lots of smiles and just a little trash talk. Spirits were high and legs were tired. It was nice to hang with these heavyweights. 

Saturday night brought the centerpiece of the weekend, the All Clubs LA Gala. Almost 350 attendees joined this black-tie affair, swapping cycling kits for suits and fancy dresses. This year, La Grange was well represented by Peter Dorantes, Lisa Goldfarb, Morgan James, and Jaycee Cary. The gala was in the Long Beach Hilton and featured a sit-down dinner, presentations, and live music. This event was a who’s who of local cycling plus a large contingent of East Coast folks from as far away as New York, Baltimore, and D.C. The focus of the event is to further the causes of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cycling community and many of the industry’s best brands were there in support; SRAM, Zwift, Strava, People for Bikes, Canyon, USA Cycling, Ibis, and more. It’s always so rewarding to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

The motto of All Clubs is “We are stronger together than apart”. The Gala weekend was a sparkling and inspirational example of this. I am so proud to be part of the beautiful, diverse, and inclusive sport we call cycling. If you’d like to learn more about All Clubs LA, visit: www.allclubsla.com

Thanks for reading

Jaycee

 

Meet a LG Member Interview: Joann Zwagerman

 

LG, please meet new LG member Joann Zwagerman. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Joann has lived in New York, Honolulu, Villanova, PA, and Henderson, NV.  After being gone for 35 years, she relocated back to California in 2015. Joann explains:  “My family and friends said that it was time for me to come home, so I listened. I don’t regret it. They were right.”

Read on to learn more about Joann’s passion for sports and for sharing it with others, as well as why she founded FDR (South Bay’s famous Friendly Donut Ride)!

Interviewed by Renée Fox.

What do you do other than bikes?

I am happy to be back in L.A. because I get to do all the outdoorsy things that I love and be closer to my family and friends. Believe it or not, I have a few passions besides cycling.  Weather permitting, I try and go fly fishing as often as I can get away. If there is snow, you’ll find me skiing. I have been PADI certified since 1989 and would enjoy doing more of that and sharpening up my golf game this year. 

What drew you to cycling?

My son rowed crew in Radnor and then for MAC, in the Marina, when we first moved back to California. I had to wait for 4 hours while he practiced. They share a boathouse with UCLA, I know you guys are aware of how many cyclists pass that boathouse every day but do you know what they all have in common? Every single one of them had a smile on their face! So, I decided to buy a bike. Now I smile like a 12-year-old every time I go out for a ride. 

Tell us about your bikes… 

I have collected a bunch of different bikes over the last 9 years. I will typically purge bikes before I buy a new one so that ‘N’ number stays somewhat constant. This means that I am always looking for that N+1. Road:  Currently, I am infatuated with my new black, S-works Aethos. Gravel: I have a love/hate relationship with my gravel bike because I’m an SRAM girl, and it has Shimano. City: I recently purchased a city bike. I find that I make excuses to go places just so that I can ride it. Cruiser: I have a single-speed beach cruiser which is mainly for company. Trainer: I have a dedicated and Specialized tarmac for a trainer that isn’t plugged in.  N+1: I am in the market for my next XC, full suspension mountain bike. 

Why did you decide to join La Grange?

This is my second time joining La Grange. I joined in 2015 when I first started cycling. I let my membership lapse because I moved from Beverly Hills to the South Bay and wasn’t able to make it to the West Side for rides. I recently rejoined last November because I felt that I needed to reconnect with my west side roots. 

Please share a cycling story with LG…

My goal, when I started the FDR - Friendly Donut Ride, was to create an open, friendly, and fun ride that also needed to be challenging and have adventure. We started with 10 cyclists on the first FDR, and now the group has grown to almost 2200 members on Strava and over 2600 members on IG & Facebook. It has been going on now for over 8 years. Time does fly!

We all have stories about how tough the sport can be for new and seasoned riders.  Group rides, pace lines, and long-distance rides can all be intimidating, especially if you don’t know anyone or are new to the area. The FDR leaders work hard to make sure that the riders feel welcome, comfortable, and confident.  I love seeing new riders blossom into hardened cyclists, flourishing in the sport.

I am so thankful to the cycling community for embracing me and supporting this crazy journey. The FDR is a way for me to help pay that forward for cyclists and the local cycling community.  Knowing how many individuals were able to achieve their cycling goals on the FDR, makes me extremely happy and proud. One of my personal goals was to cycle the ‘Going to the Sun’ road in Glacier National Park, MT. Renee wrote about this a few months ago. It was EPIC! The Next trip is at the end of April, and I am planning on cycling in Yellowstone before the roads open to cars. 

Joann generously offered to share her personal story…  

I was married and have two great kids who go to school locally.  I live and work in the South Bay. I am a trained architect, I graduated from Pratt Institute, School of Architecture. I worked for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, and Johnson Fain. Currently, I specialize in providing windows and doors for large, residential luxury homes.  

I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. I’d like to do a ride with LaGrange in the near future. I have had some issues and am slowly getting back on the bike. One of my favorite Sunday spots for breakfast is Gjusta, in Venice. I love their Croque Madame. It’s huge in calories, so if someone wants to split that with me, hit me up, and let’s go!

Connect with Joann, ride with her, and with FDR: Joann on LinkedIn, Joann on Strava, FDR on Strava, FDR on FB.

 

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!

IN THE NEWS

New BMX Pump Track in Inglewood

 

September 2023 was the official opening of the Inglewood Pumptrack that is located in Edward Vincent Jr. Park. The park is 55 acres and has been a central hub for the community and surrounding cities with playgrounds, picnic areas, a pool, as well as a place to go for sports facilities. Now, they add one more to the list of athletic facility offerings. The pump track area is located between the skatepark and tennis courts. There are two tracks, a smaller Woodlands track, and a World Championship track. Read more here.

 

Healthy Streets LA

 

Big news for the coming March election, as the Los Angeles Times has joined a broad range of community groups to endorse the Healthy Streets LA initiative. Frustrated by the lack of political will and bureaucracy, street safety advocates collected enough signatures to put Healthy Streets LA, or Measure HLA, on the March ballot. The initiative would force the city to carry out the improvements in the Mobility Plan. Any time city departments repave at least one-eighth of a mile of the street, they would have to add the improvements outlined in the plan, whether bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian enhancements, or fixes to ease vehicle traffic. Check out bikinginla.com for more details.

 

Cycling in The World

 

As told by Bicycling.com: How to Watch All the Biggest Pro Cycling Races of 2024. Here’s a look at the Pro road races we can’t wait to watch in 2024—plus, where to watch all the action!

 

UCI Welcomes MyWhoosh

 
 

UCI welcomes MyWhoosh as the main virtual cycling partner while the UAE gears up to host various world championship events. Read more here.

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.

 

La Voix January 2024

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!

 

La Voix December 2023

RACING NEWS

La Grange Podium This Past Weekend With Katie Marsh

 

At the Turkey Trot CX race in Costa Mesa this weekend, Katie Marsh swept up a nice third place on the women’s podium. After moving up from fifth on the first lap, She chased for second but to no avail for the remainder of the race. Katie is looking forward to the rest of the cyclocross season this year and we can’t wait to cheer her on!

 

Southern California Cyclocross Prestige Series

 

SOCALCROSS series points accrue over 5 weekends and 10 race dates are planned this season. We will start sooner next year for a full season of cyclocross! 

Want to get involved? Race, Cheer, Volunteer, and more. Contact dot@socalcross.org with lots more ‘cross fun on a bicycle coming your way this winter. Stay up to date @socalcross and our partners throughout the ’23-24 season!

 

GCN+ | GCN App Is Shutting Down

 

By Stephen Farrand, published November 15, 2023.

GCN+ to close down in December as race broadcasts move to Discovery+ and Eurosport
'This decision comes from our parent company Warner Bros. Discovery and is driven by its global strategy'

GCN+ and its related app will close down on December 19, affecting the way many people watch professional racing in 2024, including the Tour de France, the Classics and many other races.

GCN+, which is owned by Warner Bros, announced the closure in an email to subscribers and on the GCN website and app. The globalcyclingnetwork.com website and the GCN YouTube channels will continue. 

Warner Bros. Discovery has been making a series of cuts and savings across its many companies. 

“It's the news we never wanted to announce, but today we're announcing the closure of GCN+ and the GCN app,” a message said. “Our huge thanks to everyone who subscribed, commented, and contributed to making it such a great product.

"This decision comes from our parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and is driven by its global strategy to consolidate its streaming services and to offer content in fewer places, making it easier for customers to access and discover more content," a more detailed message explained.

"Given the news, we really want to express our thanks, to you, and the hundreds of thousands of cycling fans who have supported us and subscribed to GCN+.

"We also want to say thank you to the talented and hard-working people at GCN+ and on the GCN App who have poured their hearts and souls into creating such amazing content.

"The reality is that the media industry landscape has changed, and this is why WBD's streaming services are being consolidated to offer content in one place."

A message in the app confirms GCN+ will close on December 19 "in all countries and regions" while the company also confirmed that "GCN+ subscribers will receive a refund for the time remaining on their subscriptions."

GCN+ said viewers should check their local sports channels and sports broadcasters to find out where to watch cycling events, giving different options for different countries.

"In Europe, GCN+ subscribers will now have the option to subscribe to access Discovery+, Eurosport, or Eurosport Extra, where you can continue to watch live cycling. In markets outside of Europe, WBD is reviewing how content is delivered to its fans.

Information for viewers in the USA and other territories around the world served by GCN+ was not yet available.

 

Surf City CX in Santa Cruz, CA

 

By Dan Funk

Warren Sutton loves CX. While he is a relative newcomer to the sport, he is not a newcomer to cycling and endurance sports, a fact you’ll learn when riding with him after a season of winter ski races from Crested Butte to Aspen. Those jaunts are a mere 40 miles with 6800 feet of vertical gain mostly between 10k and 12k feet of elevation! 

For those unfamiliar with cyclocross, it is a form of bike racing that takes place in autumn and winter and consists of many laps of a short 1.5 – 2 mile course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles requiring the rider to dismount, carry the bike and quickly remount. The races typically take around 40 minutes to an hour, and in countries like Belgium and the Netherlands, you can find multiple races every weekend during the season within an hour's drive. The fitness required for success is a high level of aerobic endurance coupled with great bike-handline skills. Unlike road or criterium racing, cx culture is laid-back and fun, e.g. it’s not uncommon to see a beer-handoff area on a cx course!!

Warren and his family decided to take a weekend off for the drive north to camp and race.  His sons are also getting into the sport and seem to enjoy it as much as he does. 

Surf City CX is held at Crest Ranch which is perched in the forest on top of Bonny Doon Mountain, just a 20-minute drive from Santa Cruz. The race course features smooth (yes!) fast sections, singletrack descents, run-ups, and other fun features. One feature that is unique to cx is the man-made bridge which you’ll go over and under. Categories in cx include A, B & C groups, plus masters. As you’d expect with a Santa Cruz location, NorCal racers were out in force, and the competitive field made for great CX racing. 
Warren placed 2nd in his B group’s Saturday race, and on Sunday he placed 1st, besting the guy who beat him the day before. No doubt beers were enjoyed by all!!

 

The Bovine Classic - Gravel Ride/Race in Atascadero, CA (Oct 28)

 

By Dan Funk

They call it a ride, but it’s timed so you know riders will be racing… 

This is Bovine’s second year and the race (ride) just keeps getting better. Put on by the well-known, well-liked, and formerly LA-based Bryan Yates, this event takes place in the central coast area around Atascadero. I’m unfamiliar with the area, but I’ve become a big fan of the rolling hills, live oaks, tucked-away vineyards, and the superb asphalt/dirt riding encountered throughout the route.  

There are 4 different courses offered, from 37 miles to 99.9 miles, and while the race is held on Saturday, the organizers offer a full 3-day weekend of rides and events for those wanting to maximize their experience in that beautiful part of California. The feeds are well stocked and frequent, and the feast at the finish is top-notch. This year our generous swag bag included a nice pint glass to enjoy the post-ride suds, and my meal choice was beef short ribs…suberb!

Gravel riding is the new thing in cycling, attracting riders of all skill levels and riding styles. One thing that sets Bovine apart from other gravel events is the scoring format. Rather than a leaderboard based on the best overall time, Bovine lays out three different timed sections and the lowest cumulative time on these sections determines the leaderboard in the different categories. 

Each section is a little bit different. There’s the dirt climb, a dirt tt, and a single track with a tt finish. All are spaced out to allow recovery but most of all to allow the rider to enjoy the course and feeds. I don’t know how many events I’ve been to where I don’t even stop at the feeds as I try to get a low overall time. That would be a waste of a beautiful course if Bovine took the same tact.   

To all those interested in spending a lovely weekend on the central coast and enjoying first-class scenery and riding conditions, I highly recommend The Bovine Classic. 
(See the photo gallery n the Below is a link to photos, including a few of me from the event !)

 

CLUB NEWS
La Grange Banquet at Stella Barra

 
 

A spectacular time was had by all at our 2023 banquet hosted for the first time at the beautiful Stella Barra in Santa Monica. 

The quality of food, service, and ambiance were excellent! From start to finish, we were served by a friendly staff, passing trays of Rosé, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and a selection of cookies after eating to our heart's content from a delicious buffet of homemade pasta, tender meatballs, salads, and pizza. Marco’s incredible collection of jerseys was once again on display, from the club's very first wool jersey to a real-life sample of our 2024 kit! 

Other historic items included an original menu from La Grange Restaurant and rare photographs of our club's founder. A wealth of valuable prizes were raffled off to happy club members. The grand prize $4000 voucher toward a new Canyon bike was won by Dan Warner and a sweet set of new Nir wheels went to Joann Zwaggerman. 

La Granger of The Year trophy was awarded to Jan Datomi, the most deserving recipient, who brings an air of effortlessness to her many contributions to the club. The Raymond Fouquet Award went to the deserving Morgan James, our hard-working working passionate track team captain.

It was great to see our club so vibrant in coming together to support our generous sponsors and each other's achievements. Thanks from this current board to all participants and we will be building together this year on the energy you all helped to create!

 

Lisa’s October Escape Story

 

By Lisa Goldfarb

Before I was into cycling I was really into inline skating. Friday Night Skate starting at the Santa Monica Pier at 9 pm was my weekly jam.

Doooo ittttt!!!! Inline skating is great cross-training for cycling!

I've known about A2A, Athens to Atlanta road skate, for quite a while. It's been an annual event for 41 years! I'd hear stories about it from my friends who attended. Finally this year they said to me, “We're going and it's not gonna get any easier, so come!” 

I had about a month to train for the 87-mile road skate with a 4000 ft elevation gain on Oct 15. The furthest I'd ever skated was 40 miles but I barely skated all year.  

Somehow in my worst skating fitness with old crappy rec skates, I managed to do the distance. Not gonna lie, after about 50 miles I thought I was gonna die! I was surprised to see my body just keep going despite the pain and exhaustion.

I was grateful I wasn't hit by a truck like that one guy in the first 2 minutes of the skate (we had to restart the skate!), and I didn't wind up in the bloody road rash and broken bones skate pile-up 8 miles into the race or injure myself in any way. 

The scenery was beautiful, the weather perfect and my skate companions were there suffering by my side the whole way. It took us 8 hours and I managed to podium in my age category. I rocked my La Grange Jersey the whole day through the state of Georgia.

 

Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels Ride & Meals On Wheels-WLA Fundraiser

 

Thanks to the 50+ riders who attended and gave generously at the Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels Ride & Meals On Wheels-WLA Fundraiser that started at Caffe Luxxe on Montana and rode south to Malaga Cove. It was a lot of fun and perfect weather for a holiday ride. The group rode south through the Marina, with a social stop at Malaga Cove while some riders did a quick golf course loop. Such a cool way to share Thanksgiving celebrations with other club members! Check out the photos above by Dan Mitnick.

For over 20 years, Velo Club La Grange has raised money for the West Los Angeles chapter of Meal-On-Wheels, a national organization dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation in local communities. Serving over 85,000 meals per year to seniors and the disabled, Meals On Wheels-WLA is also serving recently unhoused veterans at the sprawling West LA VA Campus.

You can still donate! All donations are tax-deductible. Any amount is appreciated.

1) Donations can be made through La Grange PayPal here (note: Please put “Meals-on-Wheels” in the note section and please use "Send money to a family or friend" so that we aren't charged fees).

2)  Click here to donate to MoW-WLA directly.

 

New La Grange Instagram Channel

 

We’ve got a few ways to keep up with Club rides, activities, and photos! Be sure to follow us on your preferred channel (or channels)!

Keep up with weekly, special, and other rides & more on our Social Channels:

  1. Instagram: LG Club (new)

  2. Instagram: LG Race Team

  3. LG on Strava

  4. LG on Facebook

Follow us and tag us in your posts! Here’s how:

Include your ride photos on the Channels by mentioning the Club (Handle @veloclublagrange) in your posts. You can also use the hashtag #lagrangecycling

 

The All New 2024 Kit

 

The all-new 2024 La Grange kit store is open! If you are unsure of your size in the Pedal Mafia kit, we recommend visiting our friends at the Pedal Mafia store in Santa Monica to try on the kit and ensure you are ordering the correct size. Thanks again to Lisa Goldfarb for this hip take on classic design which will make us all look sharp!

Additionally, we are postponing our annual club photo until late January, date TBA so that we can all be in the latest kit.

 

LG50 is Going to The SF Valley: Dec 2nd

 
 

The Rescheduled November LG50 ride goes to The SF Valley!

This LG50 ride celebrates the beautiful SoCal Autumn weather as we roll over to the San Fernando Valley via Malibu Canyon and Wells with a shady side trip through Cold Canyon. Our #LG50 ride this month promises scenic views, camaraderie, and good times with special delicious Fall treats.

The ride will be led by Jaycee and friends.

Saturday, December 2nd
7:30 AM - Coffee, courtesy of Caffe Luxxe, & Snacks
8 AM - Roll from San Vicente & Ocean
Post-ride libations at Santa Monica Brew Works

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/23524706

“The Gift”: The Origins of La Grange

 

During the Annual LG Banquet while MC'ing, Larry mentioned a film that Bill Birrell and Edgar Burkssen, two longtime club members, put together about the origins of La Grange titled “The Gift.

You can find "The Gift" here on YouTube.

Vive La Grange.

 

Meet a New LG Member: Claire Fox Hofbauer!

 

Please meet LG Member Claire Fox Hofbauer!

An estate planning attorney, Claire is starting her own firm. She is from Los Angeles California, specifically born in the Hollywood Hills. Currently, Claire “does nothing other than ride bikes and cuddle her cat Lulu”. 

What drew you to the sport of cycling?

A boyfriend showed me how to ride a road bike in 2013 and I have been addicted ever since. On that maiden bike ride - my first time riding clipped in as well as riding in general - I fell 17 times and bled all over the matte white specialized Amira that we rented in Palo Alto. My boyfriend didn’t bother to explain the gearing to me, so I kept doing it backward and falling over as a result. My boyfriend was so embarrassed returning a dark brown and purple Amira to the shop that he just left it leaning up against the back of the shop, and we ran back into the car and drove away. I think descending after climbing Old La Honda, and how beautiful and fun it was, is the reason that I never stopped cycling after that day, despite having no skin left on my knees. I bought my own bike in 2014 and have had five road bikes, two gravel bikes, and two commuter bikes in rotation since then. All in all, I have ridden over 30,000 miles. 

How would you describe yourself as a cyclist? 

I am my best self when on the bike and around other cyclists. I think that only cyclists understand how much freedom there is getting on a bicycle, and how much more sensual the experience of the world, and the roads are traveling on a bicycle than any other way. I feel totally present when I am on my bike and feel all the scenery and road and every sensation around me. I can be a little bit reckless, but I am getting more careful as I get older. 

The only other sport I love is swimming and that is because I feel really mellow afterwards. I wouldn’t say I enjoy the act of swimming as much as I love the experience of Cycling. I really am a 1 trick pony. 

Tell us about your bike(s)!! 

My newest bike is a KOKO By CHAPTER2. It is forest green with yellow and silver details. My favorite things about it are how awesome it looks color-wise (I think I love all green bikes), its aerodynamic geometry that has curves built in to integrate the wheel/tire behind the frame, and the fact that its clearance allows me to ride road on 32 mm tubeless tires. I can descend faster and with more control on this bike, than on any bike ever. 

My other most-used bike is a dark blue pivot vault gravel bike. It is a SRAM 1x12 with a cassette in the back sporting a big old 52 (!!!) that lets me get just about anywhere. I have ridden it on many LG rides and feel happy to have it under me when we hit bumpy roads. I ride it with 40 mm knobby tires tubeless and it is great for all of the gravel trails on the west and east side as well as general city riding.  

When did you join LG? 

I joined LG when I moved to Los Angeles in 2020 but I did not go on a group ride until 2023. I think I waited so long bc the rides meet on the west side and I live in mid-city. I joined because someone told me it was a good cycling group and that if I chose to start racing again it would be a great team to race for. I have been to a few races and I can see that the team provides a lot of support. I enjoy all of the LG 50 rides. All my favorite LG members come together to ride them, and the routes are fun and a lot safer with our critical mass. I really liked the LG 50 route when we went to the observatory because the route and the people were great and the pace was social. I also always enjoy the Nichols ride because it goes through the roads of my childhood. It’s a hammerfest and I am always last and get dropped like a hot potato BUT it always sets me up for a good Sunday. 

Please share a cycling story: 

If I have to pick one story, … the Bike MS ride from Santa Monica to Ventura was a pretty ridiculous adventure. I was riding on the LG team with the nicest and most caring people. Approximately 3 miles into the ride, I slipped on a small bit of chalk on the bike path and broke my seat, as well as hit my right knee and cracked my frame (I didn’t know about the frame until a week later). Luckily, I had enough cash to purchase an alternate seat from the Bike MS mechanic who installed it for me and proceeded to go ahead and ride the whole route, stopping every 25 miles or so to have my leg wrapped by the local medics. My LG teammates never abandoned me and were so awesome and supported me the whole ride as my knee continued to swell to the size of a huge, bloody balloon. It was because of my teammates that the day was a total success and that I had a great time personally. It also felt great to be doing a ride for a great cause. There are lots of pictures on Instagram posted by the Ventura police and Ventura fire accounts of me getting my leg wrapped with a big smile on my face with the Ventura paramedics who helped me keep going. I felt a lot of gratitude for that ride. That sense of being part of a community that likes adversity but also has deep caring for each other is what cycling is all about for me. 

Claire recommends:

Caffe Luxxe & Gilbert’s El Indio

 

How Pro Cyclists Balance Strength and Mobility

 

By Gavin Mannion

Wondering how you can fit in more off-the-bike training into your plan? Here’s how the pros do it.

“The off-season and pre-season are typically the best times to begin an off-the-bike program. When riding time is low or non-existent, you can really focus on the other areas that need attention.” Read on for ideas on how to optimize off-season months. 

 

CicLAvia—South LA Presented by Metro

 

On Sunday, December 3, CicLAvia is opening up streets connecting Leimert Park and Historic South Central so you can jog, ride, bike, skate, run, walk, skateboard, spectate, and enjoy the route however you want.

CicLAvia routes are welcoming to people of all ages and abilities so bring your family to celebrate bicycles in LA!

This CicLAvia is presented by Metro.

 

Sponsored Content - ACTS Law Firm

 

Dear Cyclists and Friends,

As the holiday season unfolds, we at ACTS Law Firm want to reach out to you, our valued cycling community. This time of year is a poignant reminder of the joys, challenges, and resilience that cycling brings into our lives.

Your unwavering commitment to cycling, both as a sport and a lifestyle, continues to inspire us. At ACTS Law, we not only share your enthusiasm for cycling but also understand the risks that come with it. That's why we have dedicated a section of our practice to cycling safety, offering resources and tips to help keep you safe on the road. We believe that being informed is a key step in preventing accidents and promoting a safer cycling environment for everyone.

We also know that sometimes, despite all precautions, incidents happen. If you or someone you know has been involved in a cycling collision, remember that ACTS Law is here to stand with you. We are committed to fighting for the rights of cyclists, ensuring that you receive the support and justice you deserve in the aftermath of an accident. Our team is equipped with the expertise and empathy to navigate these challenging situations, and we are just a call away.

As we look towards the New Year, we wish you safe and enjoyable rides. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and the warmth of shared experiences. We look forward to continuing to support you in the coming year.

Happy Holidays,

The Team at ACTS Law Firm

 

SOS - Support Our Sponsors

 
 
 

4iiii

Treat yourself this Holiday Season. Get great deals on 4iiii Powermeters and Heart Rate Monitors. 4iiiii powermeters feature exceptional accuracy, warranty, and lightweight design. The new PRECISION 3 Powermeter even has Apple Find My technology. See their site for more details and use the code located on the LG Benefits page.

Check out 4iiii Innovations.

Pedal Mafia

By now you have probably worn some Pedal Mafia kit and you know they make some of the most comfortable and high-performance cycling apparel out there. Hope you purchased your beautiful new 2024 La Grange Kit and remember La Grange members get 20% off all in-stock items. Use the code located on the LG Benefits page.

Check out what’s new at Pedal Mafia…

 

Enjoy ALL Of Our Wonderful Partners

 

2023 La Grange Partners

 

La Grange is incredibly fortunate to have such awesome partners! With our partners, you can satisfy virtually every aspect of cycling: Apparel, Accessories, Bikes, Repair, and nutrition. We also have partners to assist you when you have to live your non-bike life: Dining, Legal, Real Estate, and Engineering. Log into the La Grange website and check out your member-only benefits.

New Members

 

Please say hello to our new members who joined in November 2023 (you can find them in our Member Directory):

Christopher T., Allan G., Alex K., and Tom H.

Welcome everyone, La Grange is proud to have you with us!

 

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