Greetings La Grange Members,
Your August newsletter includes news from our Juniors racing team, upcoming events; the LG Skills and Safety Course and Edgar Burcksen Santa Barbara Century, recaps on the July LG 50, womens ride and Tour watch party at Caffe Luxxe, and August ride dates to add to your calendar.
Ride safely,
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,
What a July it was. Hopefully you took advantage of the great weather and rode lots of miles, especially with fellow LaGrange friends and members. And how exciting was the Tour? For one member and his son it was likely more exciting than for most. Sean Quinn who grew up in LA riding Nichols, Piuma and all of the other familiar rides made it into a bunch of breaks and finished in 19th overall.
As we look to August the club has lots of exciting stuff in store. First is this weekend’s Skills and Safety course. I encourage everyone to attend and also invite non-club member riding friends. Every cyclist on the road can benefit.
We are also a long week away from the club’s annual trek to Santa Barbara. This ride honors one of our legacy members who was an inspiration on the bike and as a person off the bike; Edgar Burcksen.
Detailed information about both events and more are contained in this newsletter.
Vive La Grange,
Larry
Racing News
New Junior Racers!
By Aldo Jimenez
Please meet our newest La Grange racers: Brothers Pedro Marquez & Alfredo Marquez who race in age category 15-17 and Amaris, a CA state champion, racing U14. Team leader Aldo Jimenez recruited them to La Grange after watching their dedication to race every week at Eldo. Aldo is taking donations to purchase La Grange race kit for the Marquez brothers and a new La Grange state championship jersey for Amaris. If you’d like to contribute, reach out to Aldo Jimenez on What’s App, on Instagram: @losangelescycling, or email: aldo.jimenez@lagrange.org.
Club News
La Grange Skills & Safety Course
This coming Sunday August 2nd, please come and participate in our second La Grange Skills and Safety Course. Known as, the Course.
This edition: “Parcours plus Tour.” Once again starting with the real: rider, road bicycle, earth. Low-speed drills for control and balance.
Again ascending to the second order: fluidity, harmony, wisdom. Riding in a paceline and peloton.
As before we will discuss each rider’s responsibilities, and train the teamwork vision that is this club.
We may even glimpse cycling’s third level: valor, generosity, love. Being a good wheel.
Be safe! Ride with Velo Club La Grange! Come participate in the Course!
When: Sunday, August 2nd, 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Where: Eisenhower Ave. and Bringham Ave, inside the gate of the Veterans Administration (VA) campus.
Format: Combination of bike handling drills and choreographed group riding. Focused instruction and practice in a simplified training environment. Easy pace, friendly, supportive.
This course is made for members and non members- everyone who rides in road cycling groups, and will focus on skills that riders at every level can learn and improve. We look forward to seeing you there!
LAST CHANCE to Register for the 2026 Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century on Saturday, August 8
Registration closes Sunday, August 2 at 10pm
It is time to register for the Edgar Burcksen Memorial Santa Barbara Century to Santa Barbara! The ride, led by Rich Hirschinger, starts at the Van Nuys Amtrak 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 Burcksen 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 La Grange's early days.
Join us on Saturday August 8 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:
Club Members: $50 Includes a meal and drinks at SB Biergarten in Santa Barbara and transportation of your bike back to Van Nuys.
Non-members: $121.25 Includes all of the above PLUS, a discounted 1 year Velo Club La Grange membership! Don’t miss this opportunity to receive 33% off an LG Membership.
Existing members can renew their membership for 33% off by choosing the ticket + membership.
You must register and prepay by Sunday, August 2nd at 10pm so that we can confirm restaurant reservations and purchase goods based on the number of riders. Pay using the sign up link above.
Train:
You are responsible for your train ticket. Most people purchase a coach seat. Please buy an Amtrak 11 Coast Starlight ticket, departing Santa Barbara Amtrak Station (SBA) at 6:19 p.m. and arriving at Van Nuys (VNC) at 8:36 p.m. If bike space is available, please add a bike reservation at no charge, even if you may use the van for bike transport. This helps maximize flexibility and allows riders who sign up later to use available train bike spaces if van capacity fills.
Book the train HERE
Duffel Bag:
You may bring one duffel bag with a change of clothes, which will be transported to Santa Barbara in the van.
Please plan to carry personal items back with you on the train. If there is extra room in the van, we may be able to transport additional items, but bikes take priority.
FAQs
1. Will bikes be transported to SVO after the ride for riders who start there?
No. All bikes transported by van will be returned to the Van Nuys Amtrak Station and must be picked up there when the van arrives.
2. What are my options if I start at SVO?
Option A: Leave your car at the Van Nuys Amtrak Station the night before and arrange a ride home (friend/Uber) from SVO after dropping off your bike. Your car will be waiting for you Saturday night.
Option B: Get a ride home from another rider returning from Van Nuys who has room in their car.
Option C: Arrange for someone to pick you up from the Van Nuys Amtrak Station on Saturday evening.
Option D: Leave your car at Van Nuys the morning of the ride and take the La Grange van to SVO. Please be on time, as the van departs shortly after the 7:30 a.m. rollout.
3. How are bikes transported back to Van Nuys?
The support van can transport approximately 20 bikes back to Van Nuys. Bikes are protected with heavy-duty moving blankets, and we have not had reports of damage during transport.
4. Does my bike have to be transported back in the van?
No. You are welcome to make your own arrangements, including taking your bike on the train. We simply need an accurate count of bikes returning in the van.
5. What is the pace?
The expected pace is approximately 16–18 mph average. We stay together as a group, but riders should be prepared to maintain the pace.
6. Are non-members allowed?
Yes! Please see the non-member cost above.
Please contact Rich Hirschinger with any other questions that you have.
Save the Date!
LG Women’s Ride: Saturday August 15, 8am at San Vicente and 26th, route TBA
LG50 Ride: Saturday August 29, 8am at Helen’s Cycles, route TBA
Club Events Recap
Images by various contributors
On Sunday July 19th LaGrange had a morning ‘Coffee Hour’ at the Culver City location of our sponsor Caffe Luxxe where a group of us gathered to watch the end of the Tour’s Stage 15 before departing on a group ride.
Stage 15 of the Tour de France is a brutal 184km Alpine mountain stage from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison. Featuring roughly 4,700 meters of total elevation gain. The day culminates in an HC (Hors Categorie) climb—11.3 kilometers long with an average gradient of 9.1%—serving as a fierce battleground for the general classification contender.
Thanks to all who came to celebrate the race, ride and support our sponsor Caffe Luxxe. It was a fun day.
The ride in one minute, by Cate
July La Grange Women’s Ride
Led by Janice
Thank you Janice for planning and leading July’s beautiful women’s ride up Malibu Canyon, Piuma to Cold Canyon and onto Mulholland to return via Old Topanga and Topanga.
July LG50 – to La Piedra Beach
Led by Dan Mitnick, SAG by Deb Carabet
The July LG50 ride followed a cool beachy out and back route to a hidden gem on the coast, La Piedra Beach in Malibu. The group started at and ended at Santa Monica Brew Works. Deb drove the LG Van to provide SAG at La Piedra complete with Dan’s famous chocolate chip cookies for everyone!
Members:
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.
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