July La Voix

Happy Summer La Grange Community, 

Your July La Voix includes news of this month’s annual Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century Ride (do not miss it, this is a well supported and fun event), new committee updates, race news, member article, recap on the July LG50, our first Board Member feature and summary of minutes from our June board meeting. Enjoy!

Warmly,

Renée Fox, La Voix Editor


P.S. Have something else cycling-related you think would be interesting or beneficial to our members? Submit here to be considered for an upcoming newsletter.

Letter from the President

Hello La Grangers.

I don’t know about you, but I love July as a SoCal cyclist. We have great weather, the PCH and canyons are open again, the Tour is going on and best of all, we have each other. La Grange is a tremendous cycling club, and it is because of all of you. This LaVoix issue highlights our community. If you are enjoying all we do, we want to hear from you. Let us know what you like, what has gone well and offer suggestions on how to make things better.  I encourage you to get more involved via one of our committees and showing up at rides, socials and community building activities.

To join a committee, simply email the board member chair at the address below:

Sponsorship  daniel.funk@lagrange.org

Membership/Volunteering renee.fox@lagrange.org and larry.goodman@lagrange.org

Social Events deb.carabet@lagrange.org

Systems and Technology colin.rasor@lagrange.org

Cycling community dan.mitnick@lagrange.org

 

“Vive La Grange” takes action. Please consider getting involved with your club. Have an awesome month of July.

Larry Goodman

President, La Grange

Racing News

Morgan James and the US squad 2024 Track Nationals, Team Pursuit

Morgan James in local Track Series and Nationals

This summer, La Grange is proud to support Morgan James at the US Elite Track National Championships in Colorado Springs, CO and at the UCI Summer Slam (6 event series) - Velo Sports Center - Carson, CA. Track is the ultimate cycling spectator sport- go cheer for Morgan, racing for La Grange at our local world class track in Carson in July! Full six day schedule below. Go Morgan Go!!

July 9th - Elimination + Scratch

July 12th - Elimination + Scratch + Points

July 16th - Elimination + Scratch

July 19th - Omnium (Scratch, Tempo, Elim, Points)

July 23rd - Elimination + Scratch

July 26th - Points + Elimination

Come out and cheer on the La Grange/ LaFábrica Development Race Team!!

As the race season comes towards a close, join your fellow club members to cheer on our development race team at the historic Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, a great race for spectating. Ride to the race and come find us at the LG van/ tent where snacks and beverages will be available for folks who attend.

Sunday July 13 6am-6pm Manhattan Beach Grand Prix

7:30 am Cat 4 race starts with Chase, Tristan, and Ryan

1:00 pm Pro 1/2 state Crit championship with Aidan

La Grange Member Geo Martins Inspires at Age 88


The La Grange board recently learned that Geo Martins made a promise to La Grange Founder Raymond Fouquet that he would always be a member of La Grange. He wrote a note to Marco Fantone recently illuminating his dedication to the sport on his 88th birthday, looking stylish in our LG50 kit, designed by JayCee Cary!

“ Hi Marco. For the record, yesterday I rode my 88 birthday miles, time 5:36 hours, 2.646 feet of climbing with 35miles of head wind. I told you every year is harder and harder. “

~ Geo Martins

Club News

Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century Ride

Saturday July 26

Please join us for the Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century as we ride north to Santa Barbara. The ride, led by Rich Hirschinger, 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 roll from there around 8:55 a.m. 

In honor of long-time La Grange member and distance rider, Edgar Burcksen, La Grange continues the tradition of our Santa Barbara Century in Edgar’s name. Edgar Burksen passed away in April 2024 from injuries from a heart attack that occurred while doing what he loved, riding home from his regular Tuesday ride along San Vicente.  In 2006 Edgar edited the documentary “The Gift” about club founder Raymond Fouquet and Velo Club LaGrange's early days.


Join us on Saturday July 26 for a day to remember. Sign up HERE

Route HERE

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:

$50 for Club Members includes the meal and drinks at SB Biergarten in Santa Barbara and transportation of your bike back to Van Nuys.

$100 for non-members includes the above plus a discounted 1 year La Grange club membership. You must prepay via PayPal by Sunday, July 20th 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 HERE If you do not have a PayPal account, please mail $50 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 $35. Book the train now HERE

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 but 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 rideshare so 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 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! Please see non-member cost above.

Please ask Rich Hirschinger any other questions that you have.

La Grange Womens Ride

By Renée Fox, Amanda Weinstock and Deb Carabet

Hello Ladies! We want to share some new and exciting changes coming to the Women's Ride and apologize for the pause in the ride schedule since former ride leader Tara Kriese recently left the board to concentrate on her own endeavors. We are grateful to Tara for her hard work and passion to create this amazing supportive space for women to ride together regularly!  The three of us are committed to continue the women’s ride, now once a month. Rides will be led by one of us or, a member who wishes to suggest a route and will remain inclusive, no drop social pace rides. LG has a 50+ year history of supporting women in the sport of cycling, something we are excited to share and build on with you. 

Please Save the Date for the re-start of our women’s ride on Saturday July 12! We will be riding the Tour of Bel Air route Meeting at 26 & San Vicente at 8am. For updates and ride communications, join the Womens Ride group on our LG members only What’s App community. We are excited to ride with you all again soon!

Club Events Recap

June LG50 Mucho Gusto Style!

Led by Jeff Gusto | SAG by Paul Kobielus

On Saturday, June 28 an excited group of around 50 riders met at Helen’s Cyles for an adventure ride with Jeff Gusto. The route was as challenging as it was scenic. The peloton rode up Malibu Canyon through Malibu State Park where Paul had the La Grange van ready for SAG in Cornell at The Old Place. The group rode westbound to ascend several switchbacks of the "the snake", still closed to cars and motorcycles, made a quick left on Mulholland to a fun Latigo descent and ended at Helen's cycles. Some folks made their way over to Santa Monica Brew works for a well deserved toast. Feature photo above by Paul Kobielus, Photo album by Dan Mitnick HERE

June Board Meeting Minutes

Amanda Beasley, La Grange Secretary, has done the work to provide a concise summary of our monthly board meeting minutes so you can stay engaged with club goings on. Click HERE to read and look for these each month in LaVoix!

New Members

Please say hello to our new members who joined in May and June 2025 (you can find them in our Member Directory):

David P., David S., Garrett E., Julia D., Mark Y., Nosson S., and William B.

Existing Members: Please update your contact info!

Please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date. Visit https://www.lagrange.org/member-dashboard#myaccount to confirm that your phone number is current, and double check that your emergency contact name and phone number are accurate. This helps La Grange improve vendor access to membership verification and ensures that, in case of an emergency during a ride, a board member can quickly notify your emergency contact. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at membership@lagrange.org.

Cycling News

Good News: Los Angeles County doesn’t make the top 10! Read the article in Canyon News HERE

Image credit: Getty Images

2025 Tour de France Begins July 5! Official website HERE

Cycling News shares how to watch HERE

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

Keep-up with LG Rides, News & more on our Social Channels

Support Our Sponsors

The people at The Feed. are athletes who have experienced how eating smarter can make a meaningful difference in our training. Improving your nutrition is one of the quickest ways to see meaningful improvements in performance.

Member benefits:

New La Grange Customers to The Feed will be eligible to receive the $80 Feed Credit (dispersed in 4 credit drops at $20 Feed Credit every 90 days).

Existing La Grange Customers who have previously shopped with The Feed are not eligible to receive the $80 Feed Credit offer but earn 5% Feed Credit on every order.

THANK YOU to our sponsors!

ACTS Law, Personal Injury Lawyers
APEX Law, Real Estate and Business Litigation
Caffe Luxxe, Artisanal Coffee Roasters

Helen’s Cycles, Local Community Bike Shop
Lee Ziff, Real Estate

Pedal Mafia, Killer Cycling Apparel

Rudy Project, Italian-Made Helmets and Eyewear

The Feed, #1 Source for Performance Nutrition

TriFit LA, Fitness and Performance Center
4iiii Powermeters, Harness the Power

Santa Monica Brew Works, Santa Monica’s First and Only Brewery

June La Voix

Hello La Grange Community, 

There is something for everyone in your June La Voix including new committees to join, race report for the La Grange/ LaFabrica Development Team with a save the date for the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix (!) member article/ recap on the Whisky Tango Fondo, recaps on the rescheduled April LG50, May LG50 rides and tandem workshops, more ways to give back, a last chance for input on the PCH Master Plan update plus, a concise summary of minutes from our May board meeting.

Warmly,

Renée Fox, La Voix Editor


P.S. Have something else cycling-related you think would be interesting or beneficial to our members? Submit here to be considered for an upcoming newsletter.

Letter from the President

Hello La Grangers,

It often surprises the novice that teamwork plays such a large part in cycling with specialists to help keep the group moving forward. LaGrange is no different in that the club is at its best when we are working together. So, the board has made it possible for you as members to join the team helping our club move forward by establishing committees to handle manageable tasks. Each Committee will be headed by a board member tasked with creating promotional posts and calls to action for that committee’s efforts.

  We are excited to welcome you, dear member, to join one or more of the committees below! With your participation in these and LG events, you will get the most from your membership and our community will be more vibrant and rewarding. Contribute your energy and particular strengths to a committee and enjoy the comradery that La Grange is built upon.

Membership/Volunteering

Work with other committees to attract, retain and engage members with a focus on volunteering. This committee will answer most in-bound questions about the club.

Sponsorship

Seek out and contract with sponsors for the club that would either indirectly benefit membership via cash contributions and product or directly to members via discounts with the emphasis being on the former. This committee will maintain relationships with and drive and return value for those sponsors to encourage renewal.

Social 

Plan social events including the annual summer LG Picnic, November Banquet and at least one happy hour a quarter. Coordinate and creatively optimize pre-ride refreshments and post ride events such as Caffe Luxe coffee before and informal gatherings at SMBW after LG50 rides.

Systems and Technology

Manage databases, websites, apps and communications tools the club uses to properly function, setting up systems for transition of board members and maintaining a calendar.

Community Involvement

Represent La Grange within the larger cycling community to make sure LG is heard on such issues as cycling safety and road access. As an extension until one is selected, this committee may seek out and propose one or more charitable causes that align with the club's mission, value and character that would bring additional benefits to the club and it's members.

Details on how to sign up for these committees will be sent shortly via email and the LG Whats App group.

Vive La Grange,

Larry

Racing News

La Grange/ LaFábrica Development Race Team Report

by Sean Kiernan

At the Boulevard Road race, Ryan and Tristan finished 3 and 4 in the Juniors category, and Chase came in 10th in the Cat 4 ride.  

Aidan Knierim competed in both Boulevard and the Triton Crit where he got upgrade points.  He also competed at the Chula Vista 2 day omnium.  

Ultimately, Aidan received confirmation of his upgrade to cat 2 after a strong 6 weeks of finishes. Congratulations Aidan!

The La Grange Development team is being recognized, due to their consistently strong performance and their new vibrant Rudy Project helmets!

The team is looking to attract additional members next year for both cat 3 and 2 so if you or someone you know is interested please reach out to Aldo Jimenez.

Come out and cheer on the La Grange/ LaFábrica Development Race Team!!

As the race season comes towards a close, join your fellow club members to cheer on our development race team at the historic Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, a great race for spectating. Come find us at the LG van/ tent where snacks and beverages will be available for folks who attend.

Sunday July 13 6am-6pm Manhattan Beach Grand Prix

7:30 am Cat 4 race starts with Chase, Tristan, and Ryan

1:00 pm Pro 1/2 state Crit championship with Aidan


Whiskey Tango Fondo 2025 Recap


By Kimon ioannides and Brian Perkins

A few hours north of Los Angeles, tucked between the Sierra and Inyo Mountains, the Whiskey Tango Fondo delivered a stunning gravel adventure through the Owens Valley.

Our mornings began just before dawn at the base of the valley. Kimon quietly climbed out of a tiny campervan parked off Onion Valley Road, trying not to wake his partner and dog, both still asleep. Fresh snow stretched down from 14,000-foot peaks into the foothills, glowing at the edge of the course as the sky shifted from black to blue. A short coast into town felt crisp and quiet, just cold enough to wake up, but no more.

Brian’s morning was a different kind of scramble. A thin layer of frost coated his windshield, and understandably, an ice scraper hadn’t made the spring packing list. Still, cyclists are a resourceful bunch. It wouldn’t be the last moment of collective improvisation.

For Kimon, the early miles moved quickly. Gradually climbing Onion Valley Road, an 1800s mining route once meant to become a trans-Sierra pass, the peloton thinned as our core temperatures rose. He passed his just-awake partner and campervan right as he realized he was overdressed, missing the chance to drop layers. Breathless chatter faded as we turned hard onto the first dirt of the day, skipping the tempting spaghetti switchbacks further up but knowing alpine climbs lay ahead on Whitney Portal Road, just beneath the tallest mountain in the Lower 48. A short stream crossing brought a jolt of thrill and a reminder of the valley’s fraught relationship with LA’s water supply.

Meanwhile, Brian had defrosted both his windshield and his legs. His crew moved steadily, trading turns and choosing lines through long, sandy, sometimes washboarded descents. The group split and regrouped as they rolled through Movie Road in the Alabama Hills. Quiet stretches gave space to admire the twisting rock formations, familiar from westerns and SUV commercials, and maybe imagine them morphing into some kind of enormous, delicious pasty. Above it all, the sky deepened, the valley glowed, and the jagged peaks shed snow by the minute.

A few miles away, Kimon’s day settled into long solo efforts. Aid stations offered real carbs, not mirages, and smiles from volunteers and fellow riders felt just as welcome. On one loose, punchy climb, Kimon dropped his chain into the rear spokes. Event organizer Phil Gaimon happened to be nearby and helped dislodge it with a mix of force and finesse.

Despite showing up reasonably prepared (both of us on hardtail mountain bikes) our hands and wrists took nearly as much of a beating as our legs. Brian’s flat bar and Kimon’s drop bar setups each had their drawbacks. We also ran out of ways to stash discarded layers. Kimon’s jacket spent a stretch stuffed into his bibs like a kangaroo pouch.

At the finish, a generous pour of whiskey and a generously stuffed burrito, and, more importantly, wide, dusty grins. We’ll be back next year, with fewer layers and wider tires.

Club News

Save the Date for our June LG Happy Hour: June 19 at 6pm. Location and further details TBA.

May Tandem Captain Training Clinic with Wayfinder Family Services recap

LG members Sonya Chapnick and Colin Rasor were two of the nine tandem pairs to participate. Colin rode as a Captain with blind stoker Jose, and Sonya was a blind Stoker with Captain Ken. Thanks to all who came out and learned how to ride a tandem!

Interested in being a Tandem Captain? Email LG member Sonya Chapnick to receive updates and invitations to future events.

How Giving Back Helps us All

by Gina Baski

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the theme in 2025 is "Turn Awareness into Action". When individuals and communities take proactive steps to improve the well-being of others, they also experience a significant change in their own sense of purpose and well-being.

Giving and being in service is one of the most fundamental cornerstones to positive mental health, so please consider turning action into change. We have two great organizations that could use your donations or your time. If you have any specific questions and you run into Gina at the club, please ask!

Help LG Sponsor, TriFit Gather Bikes and Gear for Skid Row Running Club!

Founded in 2012 by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell, the Skid Row Running Club (SKRR) works to involve the larger community in supporting its members in overcoming alcohol/drug abuse and achieving positive life goals through running. The club seeks to empower individuals in their journey through sobriety, running, cycling, and re-entering the workforce. In turn, SRRC club members develop a commitment to give back to others.

They are looking for donations of bikes and any gear for an upcoming event. If you have any cycling gear that is in good condition (bikes, tires, tubes, wheels), we are still accepting donations at TRIFIT. Please drop your items off anytime at the TRIFIT front desk.Your generous donations enable the Skid Row Running Club to thrive in our communities. We love these people, please know they are grateful! You can drop off gear at TRIFIT, for parkinge pull into 2401 Colorado, turn right, pull a ticket, and proceed to the visitor/valet parking area. Take the elevator to the first floor and you will see TRIFIT. We will validate so feel free to park anywhere on the first floor.

Learn more about the Skid Row Running Club, or make a donation to the club here.

SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition

This is an organization we volunteer at on weekends. The mission of SELAH is to build a community-led response to homelessness in Los Angeles that addresses the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors and activates an empowered coalition of participants, volunteers, and partners. SELAH provides basic services from birth certificates and IDs to laundry and lunches. They are in need of men's and women's sweatpants and men's sneakers. If you have any in good condition, please drop off your donations at the TRIFIT front desk.

Learn more about SELAH, what they are doing to make a difference, and volunteer opportunities.

Club Events Recap

April showers = Two May LG50’s

Griffith Park Observatory Led by Marco Fantone | Group B led by Dan Mitnick | SAG by Nigel Stewart and Dan Chapman

On Saturday May 3, rain date for our rescheduled April ride, the 50+ peloton rode to the Griffith Park Observatory and while they still encountered some damp conditions, it was a great day out for all. Marco skillfully led the group together through city traffic lights to a generous SAG at the base of trash truck hill, complete with restrooms. Photo album by Dan Mitnick here

Return to PCH Led by Larry Goodman and Marco Fantone | Group B led by Larry Goodman with help from Amanda Weinstock | SAG by Colin Rasor and Frank Whitelock

On Saturday, May 31 a large group of around 90 riders made a long awaited return to PCH riding to Trancas and back. It was a beautiful day to ride together, with marine layer giving way to sun on our way back to SMBW. The overall vibe was positive as riders looked past evidence of the fires to experience restorative views of the pacific most of us had never seen before. Photos by Dan Mitnick and Frank Whitelock, photo album by Dan Mitnick here

April Board Meeting Minutes

Amanda Beasley, La Grange Secretary, has done the work to provide a concise summary of our monthly board meeting minutes so you can stay engaged with club goings on. Click here to read and look for these each month in LaVoix!

New Members

Please say hello to our new members who joined in May 2025 (you can find them in our Member Directory): W. Baumgart, D. Price, G. Edison, N. Spielberg and G Martins.

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

Existing Members: Please update your contact info!

Please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date. Visit https://www.lagrange.org/member-dashboard#myaccount to confirm that your phone number is current, and double check that your emergency contact name and phone number are accurate. This helps La Grange improve vendor access to membership verification and ensures that, in case of an emergency during a ride, a board member can quickly notify your emergency contact. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us at membership@lagrange.org.


Cycling News

LG, Speak UP about the PCH Master Plan

La Grange believes that our club should be represented in the decisions made by CalTrans to redesign PCH with safety of pedestrians and cyclists in mind. Marco Fantone made it easy by writing a template for you, representing our collective concerns on this critical, regional cycling topic. Simply copy and paste Marco’s letter (below), revise so it reflects your own concerns, and submit your comments HERE by June 16, 2025.

 The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) seeks public comment on the Draft Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Master Plan Feasibility Study, which focuses on approximately 21 miles of PCH in Malibu to identify transportation improvements that will address safety for all users, with an emphasis on supporting multimodal travel options for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as enhancing transit opportunities. Comments must be submitted by June 16, 2025.

Suggested Letter to Cal Trans Template

Greetings. Thank you for the time and thoughtfulness that has gone into this plan. My comments are specific to the needs of cyclists, like myself who regularly ride PCH from Santa Monica to Trancas and back. I have read in the study that there is a high preference for fully separated bike lanes and understand that in theory, this can be seen as the safest option for cyclists.

 As the report mentioned, there is a finite amount of roadway between the ocean and the mountain side. The goal should be to maximize this space to its fullest potential. Adding any type of what is known in the cycling community as "road furniture" is hazardous. These could be bollards, poles or concrete separators;. all physical obstructions are more dangerous to cyclists than a vehicle passing by. Cyclists prefer and would be better served by their own space, clearly identified by a dedicated green-painted bike lane. Another important factor: pavement on the edges of the roadway where cyclists ride needs to be smooth. Any cracks, holes, debris, etc... will force riders out into the full lane of traffic. Right now, there are numerous stretches of PCH that are problematic. Smooth pavement on the edges will keep cyclists out of traffic lanes.

 On PCH, most cyclists ride in packs, as few as a half dozen to as many as 80 because there is more visibility to motorists, hence safety, in numbers. Authors of this study need to understand this. Imagine a pack of cyclists being confined to a separated bike lane, no more than 6 feet wide. If separated lanes are implemented along parts of PCH, large cycling packs will choose to move into the full lane of vehicular traffic as a safer option.

When considering solutions for cycling safety on PCH, both practical and theoretical approaches should be examined. Practical solutions like dedicated bike lanes are more likely to be effective in improving cyclist safety. However, solutions that appear good in theory, including separated lanes with “road furniture”, may not offer adequate protection and could be dangerous in reality.  Please consider these points and consult myself or other seasoned cyclists who regularly use PCH.

 Thank you for reading.

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

Keep-up with LG Rides, News & more on our Social Channels

Support Our Sponsors

“Lee Ziff is a true professional and stellar Realtor with in depth market knowledge, excellent negotiation skills and high integrity.”

“Lee is a consummate professional. He knows what he is doing and has deep knowledge of the real estate business.”

“As a real estate attorney, my standards for realtors are very high which is why I refer my friends and clients to Lee Ziff.”

THANK YOU to our sponsors!

ACTS Law, Personal Injury Lawyers
APEX Law, Real Estate and Business Litigation
Caffe Luxxe, Artisanal Coffee Roasters

Helen’s Cycles, Local Community Bike Shop
Lee Ziff, Real Estate

Pedal Mafia, Killer Cycling Apparel

Rudy Project, Italian-Made Helmets and Eyewear

The Feed, #1 Source for Performance Nutrition

TriFit LA, Fitness and Performance Center
4iiii Powermeters, Harness the Power

Santa Monica Brew Works, Santa Monica’s First and Only Brewery

May La Voix

Hello La Grange Community, 

Your May La Voix contains race reports for the La Grange/ LaFabrica Development Team and LA Tourist race, the new date for April’s rescheduled LG50, May Tandem event signup, Pedal Mafia Happy Hour recap and 2025 LG Club Kit Order, Women’s initiative update and a save the date for another exciting Helen’s Night to be held on May 8!

Warmly,

Renée Fox, La Voix Editor


P.S. Have something else cycling-related you think would be interesting or beneficial to our members? Submit here to be considered for an upcoming newsletter.

Letter from the President

In cycling I believe one should always look forward but when making an adjustment, take a slight glance back.

In March, we held a terrific LG50 ride that visited an area unfamiliar to most of us. The route was a success because a group of volunteers manned strategic corners so no one got lost. So often in cycling we see a group move forward towards a goal because they work together. This is what I and the board are asking of you: to work together in the continuance of this great legacy that our founder Raymond left us.

 In the recent survey, we heard that the membership wanted more ride options, social events and wider community building and advocacy. To continue to move towards those things, La Grange needs you. Your participation is the reason why we already offer fun events such as monthly LG50 rides, LG Picnic and Banquet, Piuma Hill climb and other on-bike events. You can help to make sure these events continue and, be part of our collective voice when critical cycling related infrastructure discussions like the PCH Masterplan are held.

To get involved, please email the board of directors (board-of-directors@lagrange.org) with the subject Volunteering and include some information about where you would like to direct your efforts. And for those of you who regularly step up to lend a hand, we really appreciate you. 

Larry Goodman

Racing News

La Grange/ LaFábrica Development Race Team Update

by Sean Kiernan

The LaGrange / La Fabrica race team has enjoyed solid success over the last weeks!

Aidan Knierim placed 2nd in the recent Redlands Classic Cat 3 crit, his highest result in any competitive race. Aidan started a 23 minute attack (during a 40 minute race) that three riders maintained to the line.

At last weekend’s San Luis Rey Road race our Cat 4 racers had a very good day. Tristan Nelson placed 6th and Ryan Karlsberg placed 9th. Chase Patterson came in 16th after providing protection and a leadout in support of his teammates. Marco Garcia also raced in Cat 3 during the SLR event.

These riders will keep competing in the coming weeks, moving forward with their plans to upgrade categories by the end of the season.

Follow them on Strava and reach out to Aldo or Sean for other ways to support the team and riders!

LA tourist season 2025

The road. The bushes. The mountain. 

DFL or DNF. 

by Katie Marsh

This year my husband and I decided to commit to the tourist race season. I did all three of the LA Tourist Races put on by Let’s Ride Cyclery out of Burbank. The road. The bushes. The mountain.

Tourist #1 - The Road. DFL.

With general lack of training, and post LA Fires, the season started off with an easy, relatively short, mostly road route. A crew of friends and I committed to finishing the race. With a team of five all navigating uncoordinated routes - we managed to make a ~50m mostly road ride take 8hrs, arriving back to the shop as a unified (and hungry) crew just at the 3:00p cutoff time. Tourist #1 hit Cherry Canyon, Verdugo Mountains, Nichols Point and Sepulveda Basin. After the “easy” Tourist #1 Let’s ride promised to make #2 a challenge.

Tourist #2 - The Bushes. DFL.

Tourist #2 was a much more complex route up off of Little Tujunga Canyon which I was on my own for. After the points dropped I had a night of networking routes at the LG happy hour and a late night of mapping.  For this race I had myself, my map, and my friend making abilities. With no crew to motivate me, I planned to call it a day after the third “down by the river point”. 

I took off with the lead group through the valley and as we got into Little Tujunga, they took the same right with me off the pavement. I was feeling strong, and smart for having a route that matched theirs - until they dipped off onto a single track. In my confidence I followed them. Quickly, my technical skills didn’t keep up - I was dropped and lost.

After finding my way back to my route, grabbing the first two points, and enjoying a snack at a pleasant stream along a newly discovered single track, I came across another woman, Sofia. She seemed to know what this single track entailed and we were well matched down the rocky and sharp switchbacks. 

She and I stuck together through the third point “down by the river”  where we learned from fellow tourists that the road to “the top of the world” (the forth point) was closed for construction and they were not letting anyone through. As I enjoyed my sandwich and chats with others, Sofia rallied folks to use her water filter to refill, and join for going up Dagger trail.

I love both peer pressure and another positive woman, so even though I knew Dagger was a totally unmaintained, super steep, hardly ever used trail - I was soon roped into her plan. Off we went, Sofia, Wilson and I - the other guy she recruited. After a short 20-ish mins of aggressive bush whacking, Wilson quickly realized his bike was too heavy for the job and turned around. Sofia and I were laughing as we trudged through bushes and pressed on. After about an hour and half, we caught another woman, who was also trying to make our way up. Finally after about 3.5 hrs of navigating through bush after bush, we reached the trail again. 

The three of us women stuck together for the final approx 1500ft of climbing and a little descending and grabbed our victorious 4th point, thirsty, tired, and so proud to have made it. It was time to go home. We had two options - go back the way we’d originally planned and hike through the construction - which would start with a grueling ~400ft climb, or go straight down this long single track into Santa Clarita where there was water. 

Being tired and thirsty, the downhill to civilization lured me in. Sofia and I went that way, and our third lady braved the climb for the bet she’d be home faster. Well, she was right- Sofia and I landed back at the shop at 7:00p sharp, the cutoff time. We were celebrated back at the shop with burgers, cheers and photos for DFL. After my proud DFL victory, I was amped for tourist #3 - maybe I could do it again. 

Tourist #3 - The Climbing. DNF.

I was stoked to take a stab at all the climbing up off Highway 2 Tourist #3 guaranteed. My husband Daniel and I were buddies for this one, with another friend riding separately. We started off with the lead group, just like last time - knocking out those early morning city miles efficiently. Daniel, who doesn’t do much group riding was rightfully frustrated by the unpredictable turns and running of stop signs, where I’m a seasoned - follow the pack type. About 30min in, the group made a wrong turn and the running of stop lights was compounded by general group confusion on the route. This caused me, while blindly following the group, to knock my front wheel into Daniel’s pedal as he hesitated to cut a car off for the good of the group. Daniel subsequently kicked out a few of my front wheels spokes. Day over, I thought.

What a bummer - our stoke was low, but with no injuries incurred and no ground hit we slow rolled back to the shop to see what they could do. Let’s Ride totally came through and quickly suggested that we just take one of their wheels, and they’d fix mine while I was riding for the day. Re-inspired to at least give it a whirl, we restarted at 8a just an hour after the first start. 

Off to Josephine peak, a long climb which got steeper as you went. As we started the gravel climb, people were coming down. It was a happy surprise when we crossed paths with our friend Dani, who was having a marvelous day. We grabbed the first point and agreed we’d try to catch her at the next one.

Back down Highway 2, then off a random fire road we went to “electricity”, where we also ran into Dani as we grinded up the steep sections. She was still having a great day, Daniel was a little beat up and ready for a burger back at the shop. We agreed Dani would proceed on, Daniel would go home, and I’d try to catch up to Dani by checkpoint #3. 

As Daniel and I turned onto our splitting up point, we found Dani - disappointed that she’d made a wrong turn and had to climb back up the fire road to the split in the road - it was the end of her day too. With friendship being my motivating factor to ride bikes - that meant my day was over too.

We got back to the shop for burgers and beer, all in good cheer, wheel fixed and ready to go. Over beers, we learned from others we made the right decision to not get the last few points. Turns out, it was a rocky fire road descent which gave multiple people multiple pinch flats - as someone who’s not tubeless - boy was I happy to have missed it!! 

That wrapped up the 2025 tourist season, full of DFLs, DNF and lots of friendships.

Club News

April LG50 to Griffith Park has been rescheduled to May 3!

Led by Marco Fantone | Group B led by Dan Mitnick | SAG by Nigel Stewart

Meet at SVO at 7:30am for coffee from Caffe Luxxe and roll out at 8:00am sharp.

Route: View on Strava

May Tandem cycling event with Wayfinder Family Services and LG member Sonya Chapman:

In addition to seeking Tandem captains, we are hoping for one skilled cyclist who does not want to ride on a tandem, but can join us for leading the ride along the Bike path..

Saturday, May 10
8 AM - 1PM
Syd Kronenthal Park, 3459 McManus Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

More details and registration are HERE

Club Events Recap

April Pedal Mafia Happy Hour/ Kit Order Window

Great to see everyone who came out for the April happy hour at Pedal Mafia! Fit kits were available to try on now that our custom PM store is open where you can purchase the current LG gold kit, race kit and French nationals kit.

Exciting news: The Kit order window has been extended to May 9! Check your email for a link and code to access the custom Pedal Mafia store. New items now available: cycling caps, baseball hats and LG trucker hats!

Store closes midnight May 9.

April was just the start: La Grange Women’s Initiative is rolling

by Tara Kriese

April was a huge month for the Women’s Initiative. We kicked it off with The Warm-Up at Pedal Mafia — an amazing night where 31 women came together for a strength and mobility class with Dara Richman (plus a little luxury ice cream sampling from Lavender & Truffles).

We also hit the road for our first drive-to-start ride out of Westlake — and it was pure magic. Nearly 20 women showed up ready to climb, explore, and push each other through the mountains of Mulholland. Big climbs, beautiful views, and even better company.

Since launching the initiative, we’ve already added 15 new women to the club — and we’re just getting started.

Women’s rides roll every Saturday at 8am (when there’s not an LG50) and are posted on Strava, Instagram, and Facebook.

Looking ahead: no women’s ride on May 3rd because we’ll be joining the LG50, but we’re back the following Saturdays with three more rides — two drive-to-start adventures and one local ride — before the next LG50.

If you’re already riding with us, bring a friend. If you know a woman who’s been looking for a group like this, send her our way. We’re building something special — and every ride gets better with more of us out there.

DM Tara Kriese for more information or questions.

New Members

Please say hello to our new members who joined in April 2025 (you can find them in our Member Directory):

Alan B., Aran R., Bill C., Caroline K., Catly D., Diane L., Katie D., Melissa K., Nicole C., Philip F., and Rebecca R.

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

Cycling News

Your Chance to Speak UP about the PCH Master Plan:

CalTrans is holding its final scheduled workshop for public comment focusing on 21 miles in Malibu to identify safety improvements on Monday, May 12 from 1-3 pm. The La Grange Board of Directors urges you to attend and/or give your feedback in the comment box at https://engage.dot.ca.gov/j77248 or email them to 07-pchmpfs@publicinput.com.

At the meeting, Caltrans will formally release the Draft PCH Master Plan Feasibility Study to the public and begin the 60-day public review period. Caltrans will be conducting a workshop during the meeting for the public to participate and provide input regarding the study.

The Master Plan Feasibility Study focuses on approximately 21 miles of PCH in Malibu to identify transportation improvements that will address safety for all users with an emphasis on supporting multimodal travel options for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as enhancing transit opportunities. 

 The public has until June 9, 2025 to provide comments on the Draft PCH Master Plan Feasibility Study, which can also be found on the Caltrans Engagement Portal at engage.dot.ca.gov/f1336.

Those who sign up for the engagement portal can sign up to receive updates on specific projects as well as provide input. Learn more and sign up at engage.dot.ca.gov. 

 DATE: May 12, 2025 , 1 to 3 PM

Registration Link 

Meeting Link

See La Grange Board Member Marco Fantone’s letter to Cal Trans below.

Greetings. Clearly a high degree of thought has gone into this plan and for that, I thank you. My comments will be specific to the needs of cyclists who regularly ride PCH from Santa Monica to Trancas and back. I have read in the study that there is a high preference for fully separated bike lanes and I understand that on the surface, this comes across as the safest environment for cyclists.

 I'm speaking as a seasoned road cyclist who has been riding on PCH since the late 1990s. My time on the bike has included a 15 year stint as an upper intermediate amateur racer, over two decades on the board of Velo Club La Grange as well as its president for nearly 4 years.

 As the report mentioned, there is a finite amount of roadway between the ocean side and the mountain side. The goal should be to maximize this space to its fullest potential. Adding any type of what is known in the cycling community as "road furniture" is an accident waiting to happen. These could be bollards or concrete separators; it doesn't matter. Both are inherently more dangerous to cyclists than a vehicle passing by. Living in Santa Monica, I have seen how dangerous some of these well-intentioned but poorly thought out traffic calming measures have been. Cyclists simply want their own space which means their own dedicated green-painted bike lane. One other important factor to keep in mind: pavement on the edges of the roadway where cyclists ride need to be smooth. Any cracks, debris, etc... will force riders out into the full lane of traffic. Right now, there are numerous stretches of PCH that are problematic. Smooth pavement on the edges will keep cyclists out of traffic lanes.

 On PCH, most cyclists ride in packs. These can be as few as a half dozen and as many as 80. On PCH, there is safety in numbers and a pack of cyclists will always be more visible to motorists than a solo rider which is why you see so many groups riding the highway. Those who have created this study need to understand this. I find it hard to envision a pack of cyclists being confined to a separated bike lane that can't be more than 6 feet wide. It's a foregone conclusion that if separated lanes are implemented, cycling packs will immediately take the full lane of vehicular traffic. That will happen.

When considering solutions for cycling safety on PCH, both practical and theoretical approaches should be examined. Practical solutions like dedicated bike lanes are more likely to be effective in improving cyclist safety. However, solutions that seem good in concept, including lanes with “road furniture”, may not offer adequate protection and could even be detrimental if not properly implemented.  Please put some thought into this and consult myself or other seasoned cyclists who regularly use PCH.

 Thank you for reading,

Marco Fantone 

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