La Voix July 2024

RACING NEWS

CBR Wrap-up, by Morgan James

 

The California Bicycle Racing series final was this past weekend in Carson CA. Monique and I raced the pro women’s race and both had a great result. Early in the race, there was an incident that caused Monique to crash, but luckily she was uninjured and hopped right back in. She had a phenomenal sprint at the finish for a 2nd place in the event!

My goal for this final event was to secure my standing in the overall final. At the end, I was able to secure the overall yellow jersey (best overall rider) for the CBR series and took 2nd overall in the most assertive rider competition (green jersey). The La Grange Women’s team also happened to take the women’s team competition win for the series! Overall, it was a fantastic day for La grange and a great way to wrap up the CBR race series!

 

CLUB NEWS

June LG50 Recap (Latigo)

 

This month’s LG50 brought a large group out for an epic ride up Latigo, fast descent down Kanan then back on PCH.

Led by Dan Mitnick, there were signature home baked cookies, with thoughtful SAG by Peter Dorantes, who set up tents for shade and bike parking near the summit of Latigo.

After-ride libations and snacks were enjoyed at BrewWorks Santa Monica. 

 

Reminder: Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century Ride

 
 
 

Please join us for the Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century as we ride north to Santa Barbara. The ride starts at the Van Nuys Train Station and departs at 7:30 a.m. sharp. For those who don’t want to ride over the Sepulveda pass, we will stop at San Vicente and Ocean (SVO). We will roll from there around 8:55 a.m. 

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3120889837469194684 

Ride Rules:

This is a group ride, which means we stay together, and you should be able to ride at an average pace of 18 MPH. There will be four stops approximately every 20 miles for food and drinks from the van. If someone has a mechanical, the group will continue to ride, but a La Grange member will stay with the rider. Riders should not be riding ahead of the group. 

Cost:

$40 includes the meal and drinks at SB Biergarten in Santa Barbara https://www.sbbiergarten.com and transportation of your bike back to Van Nuys. You must prepay via PayPal by Sunday, July 21st at 10 pm so that we can confirm restaurant reservations and purchase goods based on the number of riders. The club’s direct PayPal address is https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/veloclublagrange. If you do not have a PayPal account, please send $40 to: 

Velo Club La Grange | 11870 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 106317, Los Angeles, CA 90025

——

Train:

You are responsible for your train ticket, and most people purchase a coach seat, but you can buy a business class seat if you desire. Please buy an Amtrak 11 Coast Starlight ticket, departing Santa Barbara (SBA) at 6:19 p.m. and arriving at Van Nuys (VNC) at 8:36 p.m. Since there are a limited number of bikes that can fit the van, please see if you can reserve a spot for your bike on the train.

https://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train

Duffle Bag:

You can bring a duffle bag with a change of clothes, which will be transported to Santa Barbara on the van. Please plan on carrying your personal stuff back on the train. If there is room in the van, we can transport it, but bikes take priority. 

FAQ’s

Will bikes be transported to SVO (San Vicente and Ocean) after the ride for those that start there? 

No, the bikes will not be sent back to SVO. 

If not, what are the options? 

There are several options. You can leave a car at the Van Nuys Amtrak Station the night before and then arrange a ride home with a friend or Uber. This ensures you have a car waiting for you on Saturday night. Or you can get a ride home from other riders on Saturday night who have room in their car from Van Nuys. Or you arrange to have someone pick you up Saturday night. You can also leave your car at Van Nuys in the morning of the ride and then get a ride to SVO in the La Grange van, but you need to be on time since the van leaves Van Nuys right around 7:30 am to drive to SVO. 

How are bikes transported back to Van Nuys from Santa Barbara? 

The van can transport 24 bikes back to Van Nuys. They are protected with heavy-duty moving blankets, and no one has reported their bike being damaged during transport. 

Does my bike have to be transported back? 

No. You are free to make any arrangements you want. We need an exact count of how many bikes will be transported back. 

What's the pace? 

The pace is about 16-18 mph. We stay together, but you need to be able to keep a good pace. 

Are non-members allowed? 

Yes! We encourage non-members since this is a nice intro to the club for them. 

Thanks to Rich Hirschinger and Larry Goodman for co-organizing. Please email hirschinger@gmail.com with any questions

 

Meet New LG Member/Racer, Aidan Knierim!

 

Hey LG! Meet new club member, Aidan Knierim!

RF: Where are you from and what do you do other than bikes? 

AK: Hi! My name is Aidan Knierim and I am from North Carolina, well at least I was born there. At 3 or 4 we moved to Illinois and lived in Naperville for around 6 years. Later we moved out to LA and have been here since! I am currently enrolled at Santa Monica College taking classes to pursue a BA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at CSU Dominguez Hills. 

RF: Why do you race? 

AK: My biggest dream is to become a professional cyclist and race at a world tour level. I race to get practice and to truly feel competitive. Being shoulder to shoulder with the riders around me, pushing myself past my limits, and struggling to find my breath makes me feel electric. It makes me incredibly happy to be in the racing environment and helps me visualize my progress. 

RF: What is your race schedule for the rest of the season?

AK: I have just been promoted to Category 3 in road racing and will most likely be racing the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Other than that I do not have much else planned for the road. On the other hand, I will be getting into track racing at the Encino Velodrome. 

RF: What is your answer to people who ask you, “Isn’t it dangerous to ride a bicycle in LA?”

AK: You know, It definitely can be scary at times, but if you find the right streets and go at the right times (The crack of dawn), LA is one of the most beautiful places in the world to ride in. Gorgeous climbs and pretty views are never in short supply. 

RF: Who brought you into the sport of cycling? Do you currently have a mentor?

AK: I have always loved riding my bike but only in the last year and half have I gotten really into training and racing! I was going on long rides to clear my head on a cheap hardtail mountain bike and thought that it was about time to get a drop bar bike if I was going to be doing distance trips. My coach and mentor, BJ Olsen has been a massive help and an inspiration to me. From programming my workouts to providing meaningful insights on race situations, BJ has been amazing for my development.

RF: What skill are you working on currently or what would you like to learn?

AK: I am very interested in working on my climbing endurance and improving my confidence in the pack at high speeds. Additionally I am looking forward to learning how to race on the track, especially in the Madison event. 

RF: Rate your Downhill skills: 1= I’ll go down Fernwood instead, 2= I’ll go down stunt instead, 3= I’ll follow you. 4= I think I see Tom Pidcock, 5=“ Either I win or I go to Hospital” - Peter Sagan.

AK: I would rate my downhill skills at around a 4.7. I absolutely adore riding my bike as fast as possible (I passed a motorcycle going down tuna canyon yesterday, ha!) but I do recognize that it is important to be safe, most of the time. 

RF: Be honest - What annoys you when other road cyclists do it in your presence?

AK: The most annoying thing other road cyclists do, in my humble opinion, is not being aware of their surroundings. I have had run-ins with folks who have no idea about what is happening around them and I end up having to move far out of the way to get around them. 

RF: Tell us about your bike(s)!! 

AK: My newest bike is truly my baby, I love it to death. It is a grey 2018 Trek Emonda RSL Project One. It’s my first fully carbon bike with a Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and some brand new carbon aero bars. I have loved riding it and the bike is an amazing upgrade over my 25 lb Domane AL 4, my now converted gravel bike. Finally my track bike, a 2015 Giant omnium in white, black, and blue. I got the chance to source all of the parts mostly on my own through Facebook marketplace and eBay, which was a ton of fun. 

RF: What’s your Strava account? 

AK: My Strava account is under my name, Aidan Knierim. It would mean a lot if you follow and join me on my journey to pro! What’s your Strava account?

 

New Members

 

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

Elie B., Stewart G., Stan M., Delyan F.

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

 

IN THE NEWS

Training for a Century

 
 
 

Training for the Edgar Burcksen Santa Barbara Century later this month? Check out this article: Training for a Century on a Tight Schedule. By Zach Nehr for Training Peaks.

With a focused and structured training plan, you can get in the best shape of your life while training an average of one hour per day.

Read more on Training Peaks.

 

Cycling in LA: Bicycles Banned from Portuguese Bend in Palos Verdes

 

On June 18th, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council passed a measure to temporarily ban bicycles, motorcycles and other 2 wheeled vehicles from the landslide portion of the Portuguese bend area of Palos Verdes Drive South.  Council had a report from the city staff recommending the closure of the section for the safety of those on two wheels, but honestly really as a measure to limit the liability of the city to lawsuits from accidents as the ground continues to shift and the pavement continues to move and crack.  In the city report earlier in the meeting, the city staff also reported on exploration drilling they are doing with a team of hired geologists to study and find the subterranean bodies of water to eventually pump and drain them to minimize the land movement over the long term.  But these measures will take at least 6 months to complete and the city anticipates continued land movement until then (more on this later).

Here is the section of the road for closure, along with the planned detour.  Basically it will cut off from Sea Cove just before the Wayfarer’s Chapel thru the landslide section until Schooner Drive on the far side (heading towards San Pedro).  Be advised that the detour will require riders to go up the back side of Hawthorne all the way to Palos Verdes Drive North on the other side of the hill and come back over on Western to the border with San Pedro. 

The video of the council topic and discussion can be viewed  here: https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/4581?meta_id=120454

City of RPV Agenda Report

- by Geoff Loui

 

World News: Mark Cavendish Record Break?

 

Will he break the record? Mark Cavendish at the 111th Tour de France - by Adam Becket, news editor, Cycling Weekly.

Sir Mark Cavendish will line up in Florence on Saturday, ready for his 15th and final Tour de France, in the knowledge that he is already making history: he will be the first knight to ever ride the French Grand Tour.

His mind, though, will be on a bigger slice of history. The 39-year-old, as I’m sure you already know, stands just one stage win away from setting the record for Tour de France stage wins. At present, the Astana Qazaqstan rider has 34, the same number as the greatest cyclist of all time, Eddy Merckx, but needs just one more to forget on alone.

Whenever I think of making history, I think of an Irish play of the same name, written by Brian Friel. I doubt Cavendish is of the same mind. Instead, he will be focused on making his own history, his cycling immortality, which will come with just one more stage win.

Just one, that’s all he needs. If you think about the 164 wins the Manxman has taken over his career - a record for a male sprinter, by the way - just one more doesn’t seem like that big an ask.

I think he will do it. There might be as many as eight sprint opportunities at this year’s Tour, and Cavendish only needs one to go right. He almost had it last year, in Bordeaux, only to be denied by his gears slipping and a rampaging Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). 

Cavendish has always been one of the best at getting in the right place at the right time, and his Astana team is set up to deliver him to exactly the right point; Michael Mørkøv and Davide Ballerini were both part of the Soudal Quick-Step team which helped him to four wins in 2021, and with Cees Bol, form an enviable leadout train.

You can almost picture it in your mind. One of the stages ending in a flat finish, like Dijon or Saint-Amand-Montrond. Cavendish, hidden from view until the final moment, bursting out as if from nowhere, out-pacing his rivals, the arms outstretched. It would feel deserved too, with the man in blue coming back from so much just to be on the start line, let alone competitive.

I’ll be honest, I have done a huge U-turn on the idea of Cavendish doing it this season. He hasn’t raced as much as he usually does, through illness mainly, and has only won twice - at the Tours of Colombia and Hungary.

Also, Philipsen looked so good last season, and has built this year around the Tour again. Along with Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny), there are more in form - and potentially faster - sprinters at the race.

However, the Tour is different, and the ‘Manx Missile’ thrives on the biggest of stages. He’ll be there, frustrated on days he misses out, and will find the right moment to strike. The experience he has built up counts for so much, and as long as he makes it over the high mountains, an opportunity will present itself. Also, Philipsen and De Lie can’t win all eight sprint stages, right?

Dot Tilbury, Cavendish’s first ever cycling coach when he was making his way on the Isle of Man, put it better than me earlier this month: "The only thing I can say is that Mark Cavendish wouldn't be there if he didn't think he could do it. 

“People have written him off when he has had his ups and downs, but he wouldn't have come back if he didn't think he could win. Don't write him off. When he is cooking on gas, it's poetry in motion."

 

SOS - Support Our Sponsors: TriFit LA

 
 
 

Be Our Guest For The Day!

Experience the best of TriFit LA. 

Enjoy our state-of-the-art facilities, including a 25-yard indoor lap pool, fully equipped weight and cardio deck, and specialized classes like yoga, cycling, and HIIT.

Discover why we’re Santa Monica’s most loved gym, offering personalized fitness programs in a welcoming environment. Be our guest and start your fitness journey with TriFit LA today!

 

La Voix June 2024

RACING NEWS

Team Time Trial Victories for La Grange! (Race Report by Morgan James)

 

Fun weekend of racing. Monique and I raced the mixed Team Time Trial state championships with a couple of guy friends from the velodrome and we ended up taking home a state title! There was a ton of headwind on the back straight, but we finished the 23.5 mile TT in 51 minutes!

 

Barry Wolfe Grand Prix (Race Report by Morgan James)

 

Last week I raced Barry Wolfe Grand Prix. Lots of teams stacked the field, and after a break got off the front, I spent the rest of the race trying to work on chasing it down. Unfortunately, not many girls were willing to work and teammates of some girls in the break used strategic blocking to avoid bridging the gap. The race ended in a field sprint for 5th. Happy to stick out a 5th place finish in a hard race! Can’t win ‘em all, but learned a lot and had fun!

 

Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century Ride

 

Please join us for the Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century as we ride north to Santa Barbara. The ride starts at the Van Nuys Train Station and departs at 7:30 a.m. sharp. For those who don’t want to ride over the Sepulveda pass, we will stop at San Vicente and Ocean (SVO). We will roll from there around 8:55 a.m. See the route on Strava.

Ride Rules

This is a group ride, which means we stay together, and you should be able to ride at an average pace of 18 MPH. There will be four stops approximately every 20 miles for food and drinks from the van. If someone has a mechanical, the group will continue to ride, but a La Grange member will stay with the rider. Riders should not be riding ahead of the group. 

Cost

$40 includes the meal and drinks at SB Biergarten in Santa Barbara and transportation of your bike back to Van Nuys. You must prepay via PayPal by Sunday, July 21st at 10 pm so that we can confirm restaurant reservations and purchase goods based on the number of riders.

If you do not have a PayPal account, please send $40 to:

Velo Club La Grange, 11870 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 106317, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Train

You are responsible for your train ticket, and most people purchase a coach seat, but you can buy a business class seat if you desire. Please buy an Amtrak 11 Coast Starlight ticket, departing Santa Barbara (SBA) at 6:19 p.m. and arriving at Van Nuys (VNC) at 8:36 p.m. The cost of the train ticket as of today is $20. Again, book the train through Amtrak.

Duffle Bag

You can bring a duffle bag with a change of clothes, which will be transported to Santa Barbara on the van. Please plan on carrying your personal stuff back on the train. If there is room in the van, we can transport it, but bikes take priority. 

FAQ’s

Will bikes be transported to SVO (San Vicente and Ocean) after the ride for those that start there? 

No, the bikes will not be sent back to SVO. 

If not, what are the options? 

There are several options. You can leave a car at the Van Nuys Amtrak Station the night before and then arrange a ride home with a friend or Uber. This ensures you have a car waiting for you on Saturday night. Or you can get a ride home from other riders on Saturday night who have room in their car from Van Nuys. Or you arrange to have someone pick you up Saturday night. You can also leave your car at Van Nuys in the morning of the ride and then get a ride to SVO in the La Grange van, but you need to be on time since the van leaves Van Nuys right around 7:30 am to drive to SVO. 

How are bikes transported back to Van Nuys from Santa Barbara? 

The van can transport 24 bikes back to Van Nuys. They are protected with heavy-duty moving blankets, and no one has reported their bike being damaged during transport. 

Does my bike have to be transported back? 

No. You are free to make any arrangements you want. We need an exact count of how many bikes will be transported back. 

What's the pace? 

The pace is about 16-18 mph. We stay together, but you need to be able to keep a good pace. 

Are non-members allowed? 

Yes! We encourage non-members since this is a nice intro to the club for them. Please ask any other questions that you have.

- Rich Hirschinger and Larry Goodman

 

Special Flashback Article: Cycling Improved My Editing by Edgar Burcksen

 

Film editing doesn’t seem to be a very physical job. When we were dealing with film reels there was some kind of miniscule physicality when we had to rewind reels, make a splice, or drag a reel from the bench or Moviola to the Steenbeck or Kem for viewing. But nothing compared to all the physical work people on the set or location have to endure (ever tried to lift a camera, move a lamp, or pull some electrical cables?). The physicality of editing in connection with the handling of film has been the foundation for a lot of semi-romantic ideas about our job. Walter Murch, A.C.E., told me that the best ideas came to him when he was rewinding his reels. Rewinding reels of massive amounts of pyrotechnics on VistaVision as a visual effects editor at ILM for Die Hard 2 never gave me good thoughts—only pain. An orthopedic surgeon who examined me told me I had a “tennis arm.”

The physical part of editing, unfortunately, reveals itself mostly as ailments of the body: back problems, shoulder and neck pain, and—in the digital age particularly—carpal tunnel syndrome. Luckily there are a lot of people in all kinds of sectors working on computers today, so the prevention of getting debilitating injuries has come a long way. Editors Guild magazine even dedicated a whole article to the ergonomics of editing on computers, advising us on the proper position of the monitor, your hands on the keyboard or the mouse, the height of your chair, etc., and very helpful pointers to keep your torso and limbs moving in the editing room the way they’re supposed to.

However, the effect your physical condition has on the mental part of editing never seems to be taken into consideration. We’re in the sitting position most of the day. We sit at breakfast, we sit in our car, we sit at our Avid, we sit in the studio commissary for lunch, we sit in front of the TV when we’re home, and sit in a theater to watch a movie, a play, or musical performance. All of this might be a challenge mentally but doesn’t challenge our bodies physically. I never paid any attention to this until I found out that I had borderline hypertension. My doctor asked me when I came in for my biannual check-up if I did any exercise. My answer was no, how would I have time for that in the busy schedule that we’re facing every day? My wife Jana encouraged me to join her at her YMCA and follow her exercise routine, but I was inside all day already, and going into a sweaty room doing exercises on stationary equipment didn’t appeal to me. Running was out of the question also because of knee problems caused by a motorcycle accident when I was 27. Then a longtime friend of mine, director Bill Birrell, suggested I join him on one of his 6:30 a.m. La Grange rides. Getting up at 5:00 a.m. to do a ride didn’t sit well with me but I decided to give it a try anyway. Bill lent me one of his bikes and the apparel that goes with it and I went on the “easy” ride on Friday morning. I could barely keep up, and halfway through I thought I was going to collapse. But I finished the twenty-five mile ride encouraged by the veterans who stayed with this “newbie,” giving me advice and cheering me on. It’s more than two years now since I mounted a road bike. Now I have my own bike, all applicable apparel, and I regularly ride around a hundred miles a week, usually going uphill doing 2700 ft of climbing per ride, and my hypertension is totally gone. When I step out of the shower after my early morning bike ride, I feel energized and ready to take on the mental challenges of editing. Equilibrium seems to exist between physical and mental challenges and when that gets out of whack they seem to influence each other adversely. Mental ailments like stress dissipate like snow in the sun when you counter them with an equal amount of physical pressure. And it’s more than just the physical nature of cycling. Most of the time film editors are working in solitude, and when we’re in And the presence of others we’re almost always talking about film. Our profession seems to absorb us completely, even when we’re at the dinner table or at a party. In contrast, cyclists gather after our morning rides at Peet’s coffee shop and talk about the ride, the rude motorists, the state of our bikes, new equipment, or what kind of race is up for the weekend. Film is seldom mentioned even though there are a lot of people in the club from the “business.” The virtual absence of film in this part of my life makes more room for it on the professional side of it, with all the invigorating advantages.

My wife still thinks I look silly in my tight lycra bike shorts and my loud colorful jersey with the club’s sponsors on it, but when I climb from Pacific Coast Highway to the top of Latigo Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains it’s the silence around me, the sound of my lungs pumping oxygen into my bloodstream, and the gentle sound of the bike under me that gets me into a Zen-like state where nothing seems more important than to reach the summit. The exhilaration of the final pedal stroke and the reward of a simple drink of water out of my bottle are nothing less than the feeling of finishing the edit of a sequence where all your problems and challenges have been solved. Cycling improved my editing, even if I’m the only person who believes that.

Edgar Burcksen, A.C.E.,is the editor of CinemaEditor, the official magazine of American Cinema Editors. This editorial appeared in the 2006 Spring issue.

 

Sean Quinn Is Ready to Debut His Stars and Stripes Jersey at the Dauphiné

 

Sean Quinn, who spoke at the LG Happy Hour in January, is back in Europe, ready to show off his new US champion’s jersey at the Dauphiné.

After a tough spring, beset by a concussion and broken sternum, the American champ is approaching his best form before the important pre-Tour de France race. 

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. 

Read more on EF PRO CYCLING.

 

CLUB NEWS

2024 Club Photo and Ride

 

Thanks to the photogenic bunch who came out to represent La Grange for our 2024 Club Photo! Everyone looked fantastic in the new kit. Afterward, Peter Do led the group for a fun climb up Mandeville Canyon. Check out the photo album to see the official 2024 La Grange Club Photo.

 

May LG50 to Griffith Park, Led by Marco Fantone

 
 
 

Our Memorial Day May LG50 Ride led by Marco Fantone on Monday, May 27th was a great success! The ride started from San Vicente Blvd & Ocean Ave, cruised through the beautiful streets of Santa Monica and the famous Mulholland Drive, taking in breathtaking views of the city. The marine layer lifted by the time the peloton reached Griffith Park where we enjoyed a super scenic climb up trash truck hill for a mid-ride break where Marco delivered on the s—— ton of food he promised! Thank you Dan M for the home-baked cookies and banana bread, yum! We rode back through Hollywood pausing on Hollywood Blvd across from Ripley’s Believe it or Not and El Capitan Theater and back through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, some ending where we started and some celebrating the holiday at Brew Works. 

Thanks to Marco Fantone for leading the ride, Peter Do for SAG, Dan Funk and Geoff Loui for an awesome job sweeping to keep us all together and Dan Mitnick for the delicious baked treats!

 

Meet an LG Member: Tara Kreise

 

Hey LG! Meet new club member, Tara Kreise! 

Hello Tara, welcome to Velo Club La Grange! Please share a little about yourself with the club, like where you’re from, what bike(s) you ride, and/or what you do other than bikes.

Hello LG! Thanks for the very warm welcome. I’ve enjoyed riding with and getting to know club members. I grew up in Berks County, Pennsylvania not too far from where Lisa Goldfarb was raised. I’ve lived in DC, Seattle, SF, and Brooklyn before moving to LA. I’ve been riding for all of 10 months as of press time, and I am on my third bike since starting last spring. Currently, I ride a 2023 Specialized Roubaix, which is perfect for me since I prefer to feel like I’m riding a La-Z-Boy. I was previously on an Aethos, which was way too aggressive of a stance for me. Keep an eye out for the pink bar tape and come climb with me!

When I’m not riding, I am a recovering corporate workaholic who now consults startup and early-stage companies, and recently I founded my own company and I’m raising for my Seed round. I have a 21-year-old daughter who graduates from college this month, and I’m thrilled to have paid my final tuition bill! On recovery days, I can be found on the hiking trails in the Santa Monica mountains.

When did you join LG and why?

I joined LG in April of this year after riding with several LG members and learning how lovely you fine people are. I look forward to learning from everyone as I work to improve and get stronger. I’m also pretty damn excited about the Luxxe discount since I’ve spent more money there than I have at Whole Foods.

Please share a cycling story for LG.

Last August, I rode from Encantos Park to Crystal Lake for the first time climbing 5200’ in 25 miles (50 round trip). It was an unbearably hot day, and I nearly bonked ¾ of the way up the climb. Those who’ve climbed with me know the secret to my climbing technique is singing loudly into the ether to get my mind off of the data. I made it despite the flies attacking from all angles. It was 110°F as we descended, and sadly, I rode over a baby snake who slithered into my line – it was me or the snake. I did hold a moment of silence for our dearly departed friend.

Can you name an LG sponsor and tell us what you love about them?

I love Caffe Luxxe for its oat milk lattes, vegan cinnamon rolls, and vegan ham & cheese croissants! Yes, please!

What skill are you working on currently or what would you like to learn? Be specific.

Eventually, I am looking to learn to ride gravel, but first I need to find a trial bike to make sure I like as much as folks say I will! Know anyone who has a 49 gravel bike I can try?

Rate yourself, how good are you at changing a tire? 5 = under 2 minutes, main group hasn’t caught me yet.  4 = Let me help you with that… 3 = I know what I’m doing leave me alone,  2 = Got it fixed, wasn’t pretty and took a minute with help, 1= I’m calling a cab I blew through my CO2 and it's still not fixed.

I am definitely a #2. My damn hands are not strong enough to wrestle the rim away from the tire! If you think I have a sailor’s mouth now, watch out when I get a flat!

Give me your best explanation of a bottom bracket.

It serves the same purpose that an axel does in a car – it allows the cranks to turn hence making pedaling possible. Said another way, “the wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round …"

Be honest, what annoys you when other road cyclists do it in your presence?

I just don’t understand why some cyclists half-wheel when in a peloton. It’s as though they don’t understand the fundamental purpose of a peloton.

What’s your Strava account?

https://strava.app.link/CgHT1k1MpJb

 

New Members

 

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

Maxim T. and Rufio. 

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

 

IN THE NEWS

Training Flashback Edition: How Aware Are You? Hear me Rant! By Marco Fantone

 
 
 

By Marco Fantone, Originally published in the September 2007 La Voix

Having been in this great cycling club for over ten years now, I’ve seen my share of “what were they thinking?” maneuvers by cyclists. I’m still amazed when I see a cyclist do something that is obviously not in the best interest of either cyclists or motorists. When you call them on it you get this “who me?” look on their face.

The intent of this piece is not to rant on my fellow cyclists (I do enough of that during the week!) Rather, I’d like to focus on some of the common errors cyclists make and provide some guidance to keep us all safe on the road. 

Ride double file. Duh, really? Sure it sounds straightforward - until you get out on a Tuesday or Friday ride down to the Marina and you realize what a free-for-all it can be out there. If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone riding up the left side going three wide out into traffic, I’d have enough money for a new Cannondale Super Six! It’s an unfortunate fact that these cyclists ride with only themselves in mind without looking at the big picture. Let’s look at the impact of one “innocent” jaunt out into the traffic lane. At a time when the club is working to promote cycling as never before, the impression the motorist receives is one of carelessness, a lack of respect for the driving public and an overall disregard for safety. 

Here’s another favorite and as motorists ourselves, we should practice this one far more than we do: waving by a car that’s behind you. Mandeville is a great example of this one. We all know the road is narrow yet how many of us ever bother to wave by a car that’s sitting behind you? As a motorist, you’re often left wondering “does this cyclist know I’m here?” and, “if I try to pass will they suddenly swerve out into the road?” Upon receiving “the wave” the motorist is immediately aware that the cyclist knows there’s a car behind them. This is a small gesture yet one that works to lower the stress level of the motorist; something we should always work at while on the road.

Listening and reacting to activity behind you will not only maintain harmony out on the road but keep you safer as well. In addition to Mandeville, the climbs in Malibu are yet another example of the importance of listening for cars and motorcycles coming up from behind. We’ve all had two-wheeled canyon runners blow by us at triple-digit speeds on Piuma, Latigo, etc… By listening and reacting in a timely manner, we can continue with our climb and not frustrate others who enjoy the canyons in a different manner. 

One last thing to keep in mind (and this is easily THE most important aspect of riding, either solo or in a pack): look up the road. When you break it down, cycling is akin to a real-life video game. Objects are coming at you all the time and your job is to avoid the objects be it cars, potholes, debris in the road, etc… It’s all too easy to become fixated on the wheel in front of you. This limits your reaction time. If the rider in front decides to stab the brakes, the two of you will get to know each other probably a lot better than you ever wanted to. The goal is to look “through” the rider in front in order to see what might cause the pack to slow, allowing you ample time to react. Other things to look for are traffic lights on the verge of changing. Many systems now incorporate timers so you can see how many seconds are left until the light goes red. By processing this information, you minimize the “surprise factor.”

It doesn’t take much. Your goal should be to ride in a proactive environment. Always anticipate what may or could happen. Part of it is simple common sense. Part is an awareness of how your riding affects other cyclists and the motoring public. And there is a part that requires deep focus and attention. Ride hard, ride safe, and ride SMART!

 

Cycling in LA: Pride Ride

 

Pride Ride! To end Bike Month & kick off Pride Month, join the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition's group ride on June 2nd to the WeHo Pride Street Fair & Parade!

Meet at Hollywood & Highland Metro at 10 AM, roll at 10:30. Fair starts at 12 pm.

Details on WehoPride.com 🚴‍🌈

 

SOS - Support Our Sponsors: Lee Ziff Real Estate

 
 
 

Serving the local Los Angeles area and beyond, the team at Lee Zift provide expertise in residential and income properties. Feel free to connect with Club Member Lee and his team at https://leeziff.com (part of Keller Williams Beverly Hills).

 

La Voix May 2024

Tribute to Edgar Burcksen

 

La Grange has suffered an incredible loss. Edgar Burcksen’s sudden passing this past month has been painfully felt throughout the entire club, evident by an outpouring of messages from club members with kind words and ideas for how to pay tribute to Edgar. The Board has been working on how best to honor this club member who has been so incredibly important to the past, present, and future of our club. We received the following email earlier this month from Jonathan Weiss, with ideas that he, Boris Starcevik, and Bill Birrell brought to the board on two ways that LG can honor Edgar, a long-time, much-loved member of La Grange.

These are:

  • Giving an award to the long-distance rider of the year

  • Naming the Santa Barbara ride in his honor

Jonathan writes: “I support the first, though I don’t oppose the second; they are not mutually exclusive. 

Why the long-distance rider award? We honor members for many things, like road racing, serving on the board, leading teams, etc.  But I don’t know if we recognize the century/double century folks (if not, this would be a twofer). Awarding long-distance riders in Edgar’s name would recognize their achievement and honor Edgar’s memory. 

Why Edgar? Others have said what a nice guy he was and how much he contributed. For instance, Edgar (along with Bill Birrell) put together the lasting tribute to our founder: “The Gift” film. But we don’t/can’t name things for every member who passed. So here is how Edgar was exceptional. First, to my knowledge, no club member did more centuries and double centuries.  And he supported others in the endeavor, as Rich Hirschinger attested in an email yesterday.  Second, few ride as actively into their mid-70s.  (He was 76 and generally rode 3-4 days a week.)  For me, Edgar was an inspiration – a wheel to follow into old(er) age. That is a gift that he (and the other senior riders, like his buddy Boris) gave us.” - Jonathan Weiss

We couldn’t agree more, and so we chose to honor Edgar in lasting ways so we can remember him each year in connection to the things he loved most. The board voted unanimously to rename our annual Santa Barbara Century Ride the “Edgar Burcksen Santa Barbara Century Ride” and, in the likely event we continue the tradition of awards at our banquet, giving an award to the long-distance rider of the year. 

Edgar Burksen passed away in April from injuries from a heart attack that occurred while riding home from his regular Tuesday ride along San Vicente.  

Edgar was a long-time LaGrange member who was a dependable, hardworking wheel just as he was in his life as an accomplished film editor, husband, father, and friend. Well into his seventies, Edgar continued to ride numerous double centuries and participated in many club events including the LaGrange Cup races. In 2006 Edgar edited the documentary “The Gift” about club founder Raymond Fouquet and Velo Club LaGrange's early days.


Edgar’s cheerful smile and laugh will be missed.

Edgar is survived by his wife Jana, his son Branko, and his daughter Romaika.

The family will announce arrangements at a later date.

 

RACING NEWS

Tour De Murrieta Race Report by Morgan James

 
 
 

Tour De Murrieta had a fantastic turnout for the pro women’s field! We had a fun and fast time in the two-day stage race. La Grange had a special guest rider, Rebecca Lang, racing alongside Monique and me in the women’s field. With some great teamwork, Rebecca led me out in the Crit to get us a 2nd and 3rd place spot on the podium. At Sunday's Circuit Race, Rebecca had an amazing race and secured the overall win. I hung into the overall General Classification standing and took 4th overall! An amazing weekend with amazing teamwork and sportsmanship all around!

 

Individual TT State Championships: Race Report by Morgan James

 

Peter and I raced in the individual time trial state championships on April 20th. We got lucky with minimal wind that morning, with a nice even tailwind on the home straight. Peter and I had some great performances that day, and we each took home a state championship title in our respective categories! A great day for La Grange!

 

CBR #4 April 21: Race Report by Morgan James

 

CBR #4 was the day after the Individual TT State Championships. We had some strong winds on the day, and with battered sore legs from time trialing the day before made race day even more interesting. I have been working toward earning as many BAR (Best All-round Rider) points in the series and took both points sprints to further secure my positioning for the overall GC. In the final sprint, I got unlucky with positioning but was happy to take 5th in overall. Super happy with where my fitness is heading as I prepare for the final 2 CBR’s of the series and Track Nationals in July!

 

Eldo Race Series: Race Report by Morgan James

 

Local weekday Crit racing has begun at Eldo! A great event for having fun with the community and getting some SOLID race training. Every Tuesday through the summer this event is a fun way to reach your fitness goals for summer racing. Love the people turning out at this event and making it all happen.

 

Victor Valley Grand Prix: Race Report by Morgan James

 
 
 

Was super excited to take the top step at Victor Valley Grand Prix in the women’s pro1/2/3 race! A cold start at about 40 degrees, but the legs quickly warmed up once I was able to make the jump into the front breakaway group. Some fast ladies in the mix with a close call on the field sprint.

 

Conquering the Elements: A Wet and Wild Ride at Levi's GranFondo Race Report by Rob Imrie

 
 

(Rob Imrie traveled to Sonoma for the Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo on Saturday, April 13th.)

In the heart of Sonoma County, amidst the rolling hills and lush vineyards, cyclists from far and wide gathered for a challenge unlike any other: Levi's Gran Fondo. Among them was myself, ready to tackle the 121-mile Gran route of this iconic event on Saturday, April 13th. Little did I know, he was about to embark on a journey that would test not only my physical endurance but also my resilience in the face of being very, very cold!

Levi's Gran Fondo is more than just a ride; it's a testament to the competitive spirit of cycling and the beauty of Sonoma County's landscape. Conceived by professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer in 2009, this event has grown into a legendary gathering, drawing riders to experience some of the toughest stages reminiscent of world-class road races.

I decided to take-on the “Gran” route, which promised over 10,500 feet of climbing and some gnarly ascents that would push even the most seasoned cyclists to their limits. Among these challenges was the infamous King Ridge, a road that cyclists both fear and revere for its steep grades and breathtaking views and that meandered along the ridge line. Rob found himself grinding through nearly an hour of ascent, navigating gradients ranging from 5% to a punishing 15%, and crossing over a dozen wet, metal cattle “grates” on the road. Ouch!

But it wasn't just the climbs that were a test; Mother Nature had her own plans for the day. While the event typically enjoys blue skies and pleasant weather, this year we were greeted with pouring rain and temperatures in the 40s. Despite the initial light sprinkle, the weather quickly escalated into a downpour, turning the roads slick and the air chilly.

As if the rain wasn't challenging enough, the temperature swung drastically throughout the ride, adding another layer of complexity to the already demanding course. While descending at speeds of up to 49 mph, I found myself battling freezing cold winds that penetrated every layer of clothing. Yet, as I began the climbs, the temperature forced me to shed layers.

I soldiered on through the rain, pushing himself mile after mile, fueled by the camaraderie of fellow riders and the stunning scenery that unfolded around him. However, after seven + hours of battling the elements, I reached a point where the cold had rendered my fingers and toes numb - thereby making the difficult decision to bow out at the 90-mile SAG stop, unable to continue eating or hydrating myself.

Looking  back on this experience, I would recommend it to anyone (note: preferably find a time with blue skies :)). Be sure not to underestimate the importance of preparing for those climbs… especially with nearly 11,000 feet of elevation gain scattered throughout the route.

Beyond the personal triumphs and challenges, Levi's GranFondo holds a deeper significance as a beacon of community and philanthropy. With a strong emphasis on charitable giving, the event supports organizations dedicated to youth, health, and cycling initiatives, leaving a positive impact on the Sonoma County community.

The memories of that wet and wild ride through Sonoma County will be remembered forever.

CLUB NEWS

April LG 50 Goes to PV With Photo Opp at Luxxe New Location in MB!

 

April’s LG50 began at Ballona Creek and wound down the coast for a quick and awesome photo op of a huge group at the newest Caffe Luxxe location in Manhattan Beach! Once in Palos Verdes, the group climbed the switchbacks to the iconic domes and returned home in the exquisite Spring weather. SAG was thanks to Peter Dorantes and Dan Mitnick led the ride with help from a few good shepherds in the club, shout out to Geoff Loui and Bodie Olmos!

 

Club Photo Day To Be Held On May 19

 
 
 

Calling all La Grange members!

We are calling on everyone to show up for LG for this year’s club photo! Join your fellow photogenic La Grangers wearing the most recent Pedal Mafia Kit. If you don’t have the 2024 kit yet now is the time to order it, and you will need to borrow a jersey or vest for the picture. If you have extra jerseys or vests please bring them for others to wear for the photo. We will meet at SVO at 8 am and the photo will be taken at 8:30 am sharp.

Show your love for Velo Club La Grange by helping us to make this a huge crowd, and be sure to wear your new 2024 kit designed by Lisa Goldfarb!

 

Meet an LG Member: Dail Shang

 
 

For those of you who don’t know Dail Shang, who has been a member of La Grange since 2017, you should, and if you do, I hope you’ll learn something about this passionate artist/ cyclist and active member of LaGrange.

Hello Daili, where are you from/ where do you call home? 

I am from Beijing, China. I came to the US for school in 2011. Now I call LA home. 

What do you love to do other than bikes? I know you are also an artist - please tell me a little about your practice.

I love to hike with my dog and create art. As a self-taught artist with a background in physics, my art documents my journey of self-exploration. I believe in the possibility of finding happiness and fulfillment in doing what one loves. Through my own transformative path, I hope to encourage and inspire those who share a similar journey. You can read my story here: https://shangdaili.com/

What drew you to the sport of cycling and how long have you been a cyclist?

I commuted on my bike for about 1 hour a day from age 10 to 22 when I was in China. Being on my bike, focusing on every pedal, and being in the moment make me grounded. My bikes make me mindfully practice living in the moment.

Tell us about your bike(s)!!

Before I went off-roading, I did not understand why anyone needs n+1 bikes. Boy, before I knew it, I had way too many bikes. I kept my Specialized Aethos, Diverge, and Levo around to ride with friends. My favorite bikes are my Specialized Epic evo and Stump Jumper Evo. I like the downhill. Mountain biking taught me so many life lessons. It is the foundation of everything I have today.

How long have you been a member of La Grange? Do you have special memories or stories of your time as a member?

I joined La Grange in 2017 when I moved here. It was the second weekend after I arrived in LA. I was at a restaurant waiting for food after a KOM hunting ride with James and Leo. Dan Funk, Brian Crommie, and Doug Sparr walked into the restaurant and sat with Leo and me. I had only been on the road and knew nothing about the dirt. I was wondering what these people covered in dust were doing with their dirty bikes. Dan Funk, being a great advocate for La Grange, asked me if I wanted to join the club and ride dirt with them. I then crashed on Westridge singletrack on my first-ever gravel ride on a borrowed bike the following week. I was hooked and never looked back.

Do you have favorite bike-friendly spots (restaurants, services, businesses) in LA you would recommend to the club?

I ride on the east side a lot. I like to start my ride at Montra Coffee and finish my ride at Congregation Brewery. I love street tacos in front of Mitsuwa Market.

Do you have a vision for the future of La Grange? 

I see a future when La Grange inspires more people to ride bikes, especially women and youth, by making the sport more attractive and inclusive.

New Members

Please say hello to our new members who joined in the last month (you can find them in our Member Directory):

Ron M, Clay W, Tara K, Nick R, Tim G, and Daili S.

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

IN THE NEWS

Team EF Coaching Performance Podcast

 
 

Check out the Team EF Coaching Performance Podcast with Olympic coach Matt Shallcrass on becoming a great all-round athlete, Dr. Kevin Sprouse on optimizing health, and Tejay Van Garderen on how training has changed.

We recommend Episode 1: Matt Shallcrass - Becoming the Omni Rider

In this episode of the Team EF Coaching Performance podcast we sit down with coach Matt Shallcrass to discuss the latest trends in training, his philosophy behind building Olympic champions, and developing the abilities to compete in all areas of cycling, like athletes such as Tom Pidcock, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, and Wout Van Aert, in other words, how to become the omni rider.

Cycling in LA: Bike MS Update from Lisa Goldfarb

 
 

Hi Everyone!

Honoring my yearly commitment to ride and fundraise for MS, I signed up for Bike MS: Los Angeles Coastal Challenge 2024. I participated in Bike MS century rides since I was a teenager. My father rode a yearly century for MS because his uncle had MS and now that my father has also passed I continue his tradition. It's a cause that means a lot to me and an organization I believe in. I have been a top fundraiser for Bike MS Los Angeles for the past several years.

La Grange members have asked me since I’m a board member that we should do more for charity. I created Team La Grange for Bike MS a couple of years ago. Here is your chance to participate…or donate to Team LaGrange!

The best part of this ride for me has been the relationships I've forged with other La Grange members through this event!

You can be part of the team and just fundraise or do whichever ride you like. 

Route distances: Day One 100, 60, 30 Day Two 50, 30

Fundraising Minimum: $350

The rides are June 1 and 2nd starting from Santa Monica and Ventura sign up here: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/team/TeamLaGrange

Contact me for details!

Lisa Goldfarb, lisa.goldfarb@lagrange.org, (610) 703-8918

Cycling in the World: No US Rounds On Compact 2024-2025 Cyclocross World Cup Calendar

 
 

The UCI announced the Cyclocross World Cup calendar for 2024-2025 with sweeping changes including a much later start with the first round on November 24th, and a lack of any rounds in the United States, which had been a fixture of the early season since 2015 with the first World Cup in Las Vegas. Read more on Cycling News.

SOS - Support Our Sponsors - 4iiii

 
 

If you’re in the market for a power meter or heart rate monitor, remember that LG Members benefit from 35% off certain 4iiii products.

Why train with power? Power meters are not just tools for the elites. Everyone from a triathlete to a Gran Fondo enthusiast to those just riding to their local coffee shop can benefit from using a power meter. Benefits include:

  • Power Numbers Are Consistent

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