February La Voix

Hello La Grange, 

I want to start by saying that I am so proud to be a part of this club. In response to major disruptions and loss from the fires, I’ve seen club members rally and support one another, our sponsors and Los Angeles in such incredibly passionate ways. This community is capable of support because we all participate in it. In this La Voix are more ways to engage, and be a part of La Grange in impactful and rewarding ways, whether its showing up for rides, helping to care for our club van, volunteering for SAG, leading an LG50, donating to victims of the fires, learning to captain a tandem for blind riders or contributing your unique voice to our WhatsApp community, so please look at the different ways our board and club members are working to build community and if there is a place you can see yourself contributing.

** Important note- Please be sure to check the LG website and WhatsApp LG Rides group for updates regarding rides and routes in light of fire damaged areas.

See you on the road.

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.

A Letter from our new Club President, Larry Goodman:

Hello Fellow La Grangers,

This club has given much to me and I am honored to be giving back as the president for 2025.

Velo Club LaGrange began in a mix of community and to help juniors enter racing. This year I want to begin, but not stop, rebuilding both and ensuring the club’s continuation by attracting more, younger members. And, this year we have a new and promising Development race team.

The Development Team is being led by a few volunteering parents and our Race Captain Aldo Jimenez.  So we have that covered.

What I need your help with is further community building with the eye towards younger and more diverse riders. Part of this will take some pivoting and adjustment just as the racing scene is underway. I think of our club as a goal-oriented cycling club where riders who want to train for their first century, get faster, lose weight while having fun or meet new and interesting people with a fitness mindset are all welcome. The race team is but one type of goal and here to inspire.

My association with LaGrange began with a longtime member Rob saying hello and inviting me along on a Friday ride. Please try to do the same to others as you come across them.

Vive LaGrange,
Larry

Racing News

La Grange La Fabrica Development Race Team Report

by Sean Knierim

As many of our community know, LaGrange launched the LaGrange/LaFábrica Development Race Team this year to support young riders leaning into our sport.  

Inspired by the meaning of La Fábrica—“The Factory” in Spanish —this program is designed to build, refine, and shape promising riders into top-tier competitors. This investment reflects LaGrange’s deep belief in the power of cycling to shape character, instill discipline, and create lifelong opportunities both on and off the bike.

The team had their first race on Jan 25 up north of Santa Barbara.  Four of our riders competed in some serious wind this last weekend:  Aidan rode in the Cat 3 division, and our Cat 4 included Chase, Tristan and Ryan.  We encourage everyone on LG to follow and support these riders on Strava and IG.  

Aidan showed up and finished the ride despite losing his home in the Palisades fire earlier in the month.  Tristen and Ryan pushed their limits and learned a ton.  Chase also drove hard…until a rock took him out of the race (some bruises, but Chase and his new LG race kit will be ready to go in the coming weeks).

Aldo Jimenez is managing the team after racing for us over the last years.  He did a great job pulling the crew together headed into the weekend and has already started incorporating learnings from race #1 to prepare us for the coming season.  This will include cooking classes for pre-race prep…someone ended up burning spaghetti the night before before the rest of the crew arrived to provide calories to the boys.

BJ Olsen helped Aldo design this new team and provides performance coaching for individuals and the team.  LG member and Aidan’s dad, Sean Knierim, has been managing operations and board engagement.

Various members of the team will be competing during upcoming weekends so keep an eye out for the LG Race jersey.  We will share news about the upcoming race schedule with the club - please come out and support the team!

And please connect with Sean (sean.knierim@gmail.com) or LaVoix@lagrange.org if you would like to learn more about supporting this great group of young riders.Club News

Club News

Happy Hour at Gilbert’s El Indio!

Thursday Feb 27. Details to follow soon.

Life on the back of a motorcycle in the Peleton: words and photographs from Brian Hodes, Pro Cycling Photographer.

Based in Los Angeles, Brian Hodes has been a professional cycling photographer, traveling the world pursuing his work for the last 20 years. He has worked with the ‘who’s who’ in the sport including three-time Tour de France Champion Chris Froome, and three-time World Road Champion Peter Sagan, along with the top teams including Bora-Hansgrohe and Israel Premiere Tech.

LG Volunteers – Get Involved!

One of the best parts of being in a cycling club is the opportunity to contribute to something bigger—helping make local cycling even better. Volunteering brings ownership, which leads to greater satisfaction. What we all want.

Leading the charge are David Newcombe and Colin Razor, who are heading up our Volunteer Committee. Whether you’re a seasoned helper or just looking to get involved, you can join the conversation on our WhatsApp “LG Volunteers” channel, where we’ll be sharing upcoming opportunities and coordinating efforts.

Brian Perkins helping Rob Seltzer move some furniture into their new home.

Stronger Together: The LaGrange Community’s Response to the Fires

by Tara Kriese

The Palisades and Altadena fires deeply impacted our community, with over a dozen La Grange members losing homes, facing displacement, or dealing with hazardous conditions. While the devastation has been immense, the outpouring of support from our members has been even more powerful.

From day one, LG members stepped up—offering bikes, kits, and gear, as well as temporary and long-term housing for those displaced. Others provided transportation and logistical support, filling critical gaps in the recovery process. Brands and partners also contributed, helping members get back on the road.

As we move into the resettlement and rebuilding phase, let’s continue to check in on those affected and encourage them to get back on the bike. Riding isn’t just about fitness—it’s about community, resilience, and support.

To everyone who has helped—thank you. La Grange is more than a club; it’s a family, and your generosity has made all the difference. Let’s keep riding, together.

Tandem Training Clinic with Wayfinder Family Services and LG member Sonya Chapman!

Help Sonya’s racing dream come true! Join us next Sunday afternoon to learn how to captain a tandem and support Sonya’s goal of racing one.

Saturday, February 8

1:00 – 3:00 PM

5300 Angeles Vista Blvd

No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm. Sign up here!

Club Rides Recap

January LG50 led by Marco Fantone and Dan Mitnick, SAG by Deb Carabet

Full photo album by Dan Mitnick- here

LG Women’s Rides

by Tara Kriese

The energy and momentum around our La Grange Women’s Rides have been incredible! Over the past two months, we’ve gone from just four riders on our first outing to 15 women at our most recent ride—with even more asking about this weekend’s ride. The enthusiasm from both longtime members and new faces has been inspiring, and it’s exciting to see more women getting involved, building confidence, and strengthening our community on the road.

Since we kicked off these rides, we’ve explored Bel Air, Palos Verdes, and Topanga, adapting along the way—including turning one of our women’s rides into a community ride the weekend after the Palisades fire because we all just needed to ride together. More than just miles, these rides have been a welcoming space for women to connect, learn, and gain confidence riding in a group. Many have joined the club after experiencing the camaraderie, support, and skill-building these rides offer.

Special thanks to our volunteer ride leaders thus far including Ginny Turner, Amy Hutner, and Renée Fox.

If you’ve been thinking about riding with us, now is the time! Our next Women’s Ride is this Saturday—we’ll meet at 8:00 AM at 26th & San Vicente for a scenic tour of Bel Air. Whether you’re new to group riding or just looking for a fun, supportive ride with other women, we’d love to have you join. Spread the word, bring a friend, and let’s keep this momentum rolling!

And beyond the bike, we’re planning our next Women’s Happy Hour—stay tuned! We’ll share details soon in WhatsApp and on our social channels, so keep an eye out and join us for some fun off the bike as well.

Women’s Ride to the PV Domes on January 18th

New Members

Please say hello to our new members who joined in November and December 2024 (you can find them in our Member Directory):

Steve S., Marc B., Richard B., Robert A., Scott V., Renee T., Caroline M., Alan B., and Zahra K.   

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

Cycling News

Elsewhere in the world.. The Tour Down Under… via Cycling News.com

The 2025 racing season is underway. Santos Tour Down Under recently concluded and this year it was Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly who claimed the top victories of the Australian summer, leading a podium full of international riders after tackling an array of stages which delivered some of the toughest terrain yet.

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

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

Support Our Sponsors

The beauty of European tradition, made in Los Angeles. Established 2006.

LG Club Members receive a 15% discount on your entire purchase, excluding gift cards, when you present your La Grange membership card.

Our beloved Caffe Luxxe Palisades Village location was among the businesses and homes lost during the fires and the Malibu location is temporarily closed. Please help support Caffe Luxxe by patronizing their other locations:

Correction to January La Voix:

Revision:: Please forgive the photo permissions issue, scroll down for a photo carousel (rather than images in a google folder) from the LG50.

Additional correction: During the pandemic, Helen’s closed their Westwood and Marina del Rey stores, and they sold the I Martin location to Trek. The locations on their website are accurate, https://www.helenscycles.com/storelocator/

It’s a New Year La Grange! 

I hope you have all been enjoying the holiday season with loved ones, good food and bikes. Your January La Voix contains recaps from December rides, an inspiring story/ call to action from member Sonya Chapnick, Cycling News’ Best and Worst of 2024, an exhilarating Safa Brian video and an screening announcement for Breaking Away just for fun.

Here’s to 2025!

Renée Fox, LaVoix 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.

Racing News

Breaking Barriers: Sonya’s Journey to Joy and Fitness Through Tandem Cycling, by Sonya Chapnick and Colin Ansel Rasor

Sonya was born with the gift of sight and a deep love for the outdoors. Camping under starry skies, hiking rugged trails, and immersing herself in the beauty of nature were her happy places. Athleticism came naturally to her, and she thrived on competition. At one point, she even became a bodybuilder, relishing the challenges of pushing her body to its limits. Life seemed limitless.

Sonya began losing her sight, a progression that would eventually leave her blind. The grief was immense. She mourned not just her vision but the life she had envisioned. No more hikes to find peace in nature. No more driving to spontaneous destinations. Even the gym, once a sanctuary, became unsafe. She couldn’t spot others or herself. The world, once expansive, seemed to shrink.

Finding Balance

Amid the turmoil, Sonya discovered yoga. It became a lifeline, a way to manage stress, connect with others and generate revenue. Yoga didn’t require perfect vision; it required presence, something she could cultivate. Slowly, she began to accept her new reality. “Being blind became normal,” she would later say, a reflection of her resilience and adaptability.

Still, something was missing. Sonya was missing competition and camaraderie, the thrill of physical challenges, and the joy of movement. She knew she needed to find a way to reclaim these aspects of her life.

The Tandem Connection

The breakthrough came at a Hearts for Sight event. It was a lively day at the beach, with Surrey bikes (a quirky bench-seat bike). Sonya, never much of a cyclist before her vision loss, rode a "bicycle", it was exhilarating. For the first time in years, she felt the wind in her hair and the rush of freedom. The experience opened the door for tandem cycling, riding a bicycle was a possibility.

That day sparked an idea: What if cycling could be another source of physical activity? She started looking for tandem captains to pilot her cycling adventures.

Building a Community

Sonya joined a LaGrange (LG) women’s cycling meetup, where she met others who shared her passion for cycling and community. After discussions with many LG members she connected with Amy Hutner who through another LG social event had discovered Colin Rasor enjoyed riding tandem bicycles. A captain/stoker relationship was formed, leading to new bike rides and routes.

“Breaking blindness barriers is about more than accessibility,” Sonya explained. “It’s about connection. A community can turn isolation into inclusion and help us keep moving forward.”

The Road Ahead

Sonya has her sights set on bigger goals, she is training for a LG 50 ride and would like to compete in time trails. Challenges remain. Captains—the sighted partners who steer tandem bikes—are scarce, and finding consistent opportunities for competition can be difficult.

Sonya envisions a future where blind cyclists like her have a more robust support network. She dreams of creating a hub where captains and stokers (the rear riders on tandem bikes) can connect.

Her message to the world is simple yet powerful: “We need a place where blind athletes can thrive. With community, we can keep the disablement from being disabling.”

What we need from LaGrange, other bicycle clubs, and the community

Signup to learn how to captain a tandem. Practice rides with other captains, become a stoker (try being a blind stoker). The time spent riding with the unsighted is immensely rewarding. By donating your time and experience you will be sharing the joy you experience daily with others who normally can't. You don't have to have a tandem, Wayfinder Family services supplies the tandem and an unsighted stoker.

Email tandems@lagrange.org to get involved!

Come be a (tandem) captain!

Club Rides Recap

December LG50 led by Rich Hirschinger, SAG by Dan Funk

Images below by various contributors: Marco Fantone, Lisa Goldfarb, Rich Hirschinger, Larry Listen, Tara Kriese and, as always, our full photo album by Dan Mitnick- here

Possibly the most picturesque ride of the year and certainly the most photographed, our December LG50 attracted over 80 riders to the start at San Vicente & Ocean. We first made a stop at the historic Witches House in Beverly Hills, entered the wilderness steeps of Franklin Canyon to Mulholland Drive and its rollers, continuing east to Lake Hollywood. SAG by Dan Funk near Lake Hollywood Park came just before the final challenging (but in Rich’s words, “oh so rewarding”) climb to the Hollywood Sign. After more photos, the ride returned down Beachwood Canyon, past the Capitol Records building, and cruised down Hollywood Blvd to Sunset where Rich captured a photo of the elusive Spiderman. Our peloton wearied with traffic yet had time to bond and gawk happily as local tourists on Hollywood Blvd always will. As usual Marco shouted a warm welcome whenever he saw an audience. A sprint for Santa Monica Brew Works ensued where we had well-deserved pizzas and beverages. Thanks to all who helped and participated in this fun ride!


LG Monthly Gravel Ride

by Brian Perkins. click image below for video

Our second LG Gravel Ride on December 15 was another spectacular day of dirt, camaraderie, and adventure. Over 20 riders gathered at San Vicente and Ocean (SVO) to enjoy warm coffee, breakfast treats, and good company before embarking on a fun but challenging ride through the Santa Monica Mountains.

The route began with a peloton of gravel and mountain bikes cruising along PCH before turning onto Sunset and tackling the steep, paved climb up Paseo Miramar. A quick photo stop captured the fresh-faced group before the real challenge began on the dirt. Riders navigated steep gravel sections, carefully balancing weight over their tires to avoid spinning out, as we climbed towards Parker Mesa Overlook. The effort was rewarded with breathtaking views and a drone flyover, courtesy of Bruce.

At Trippet Ranch, the LG van and mid-ride nutrition, supported by Tara and Kimon, were a welcome sight. Colin also played a lead role by shepherding riders along the route. Most of the group, including several first-timers, opted for the longer route—a testament to their grit and determination! One rider made an early return to celebrate his son’s birthday, proving you can balance cycling and family.

The route included a scenic stretch along dirt Mulholland and an unexpected detour down Sullivan Canyon, which had just reopened. The descent, likened to a “dirt highway,” offered miles of smiles as riders made their way back to pavement at Westridge. LA fall was in full swing, with leaves blanketing the gravel and adding to the magic of the day.

We wrapped up the ride with a celebratory toast at Santa Monica Brew Works, and we even scored a few Santa hats to mark the occasion. All riders returned home safely, excited for our next adventure on January 12.

We also need volunteers to both lead and SAG. Tara and I have started this monthly supported-Gravel series, and we need your help to keep it going. If you’re interested in volunteering to lead the next ride, we’d love your support—reach out to either me or Tara to get involved. We hope to see you there!

LG Women’s Rides

The new LG Women’s rides were a hit last month! Both new and seasoned ladies participated and rode to beautiful locations, from Palos Verdes to Bel Air with fun coffee/ snack stops. We even got a new club member to join! Ladies, check the WhatsApp LGWomen’s group for details on the next ride!


New Members

Please say hello to our new members who joined in November and December 2024 (you can find them in our Member Directory):

Steve S., Marc B., Richard B., Robert A., Scott V., Renee T., Caroline M., Alan B., and Zahra K.   

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

Cycling News

Local: CALBIKE’s Best and Worst of 2024

This was a year of ups and downs, of big wins for safer streets and big setbacks for funding to build safer streets. Like almost every year, 2024 was a time of contradictions and mixed messages for bicycle advocates in California and beyond. So, it’s time to celebrate the good and (hopefully) learn from the bad. Click here or on the image below for CalBike’s rundown of the best and worst of 2024.

For the pure thrill of it, Safa Brian’s new film: Descending the Dolomites


See also: 'Descending is road cycling's last mystique' - Safa Brian on keeping up with the pros and embracing cycling's raw beauty

By Pete Trifunovic for Cycling News published December 24, 2024

and, for those of you looking for a littmore nostalgialgia…

Breaking Away (1979) is screening at the NoHo Laemmle!

Co-Star Paul Dooley in Person!

Tuesday, January 14, at 7 PM

Buy Tickets here

Follow La Grange and Stay Informed!

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

- LG Club on Instagram 

- LG Race Team on Instagram 

- LG on Strava 

- LG on Facebook 

- LG exclusive What’s App community (new!)

Support Our Sponsors

HELEN’S CYCLES has been serving the Los Angeles area since 1936.

It was not always called Helen’s Cycles. The store began as a small repair shop in Venice Beach, California owned by Helen Throckmorton and her mechanic husband, Ted, who was also a mechanic for billionaire Howard Hughes. The Aviator had given Ted an ultimatum about his moonlighting as a bike mechanic. So they decided to call it Helen’s Cycles and put the business in her name. Helen’s Cycles has only passed through three other owners since 1936.

Helen’s has a very long history in Los Angeles. Since its inception, the headquarters has only moved twice, with the current HQ location being in Santa Monica since the 1960s. In the last thirty years, Helen's Cycles has expanded throughout greater Los Angeles: from Santa Monica to Westwood, Marina del Rey, and Manhattan Beach. Since purchasing I. Martin Bicycles, Helen's Cycles also has a presence in the mid-city area.

Helen’s Cycles is proud to offer the best service and staff in bike retail today.

La Grange members receive a discount of 20% for non-mechanical components (ie: chain lube, bar tape, etc…) and 10% for bikes, frames and components.

TriFit is the only full service health club in Santa Monica owned by athletes for athletes.

Located in Santa Monica, TRIFIT is a fully equipped 29,000 square foot health club. The facility is fully equipped with strength and cardio equipment, yoga, massage, TRX, Sports Performance, outdoor classes, indoor lap pool, physical therapy, and performance services ranging from bike fits to run gait analysis. TRIFIT's former longtime head of performance, Jeff Rothschild, works with professional, elite, and local cyclists including 3x Olympian Bobby Lea and friend of La Grange, Matt Wikstrom. TRIFIT works with endurance athletes across many sports as well as team sport athletes including tennis, hockey, and soccer. Education is fundamental to who we are which is why TRIFIT hosts educational seminars on everything from sports supplementation to active recovery. We sponsor local races fundraisers and events, giving back to our fitness community has been the cornerstone of our success. TRIFIT's mission is plain and simple--- to provide all athletes the tools they need to perform at their best.

La Grange members receive 10% off TRIFIT's standard membership.

La Voix December 2024

Hello La Grange! 

Your December La Voix is here! Enjoy pro photos by Nigel from our Banquet at Bodega and photos by Dan Mitnick from recaps of a busy November including our Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels ride, Gravel ride and Pedal Mafia Happy Hour. Don’t miss out on our new Whats app community for club members only.

Happy Holidays!

Renée Fox, LaVoix 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.

Racing News

Click on the image below to watch the “ONE TO GO” film featuring Coryn Rivera Labecki, the electrifying pro women’s racer who got her start with Velo Club La Grange.

Club News

NEW WhatsApp Community, only for La Grange members!

We know it can be a challenge to keep up with club updates and events across multiple platforms. To make things simpler, we’re excited to announce our new La Grange WhatsApp Community! Starting this month, all active, dues-paying members will have exclusive access to this community, putting the latest updates right at your fingertips.

Why Join the LG WhatsApp Community?

This new platform offers several key benefits for members:

Stay Informed: Get the latest club-wide announcements and updates in one central hub.

Direct Access to Members: Easily coordinate rides, connect with fellow riders, and share cycling tips.

On-the-Ride Communications: Stay in the loop with real-time updates on road conditions, re-groups, safety messages, emergencies, and ride leader and SAG communications.

Member-Only Access: Unlike social media, our WhatsApp Community is exclusively for dues-paying members, adding more value to your membership.

What’s Inside

Once you join, you’ll find sub-groups for specific interests:

Announcements 📢: The go-to channel for all essential club updates—stay informed on events, schedules, and important news.

CHAT: General discussions and photo sharing. Connect with your fellow club members!

RIDES: Routes, schedules, safety updates—ride info only, no chatting.

GRAVEL, WOMEN, RACE, TRACK: Dedicated spaces for specialized groups and initiatives.

How It Works

Admin Oversight: Select board members will serve as community admins to manage access, guide discussions, and uphold guidelines maintaining a respectful and focused environment, especially in the RIDE-specific channel, to keep information clear and relevant.

Customizable Notifications: Members can easily manage their notifications by muting specific sub-groups that aren’t relevant to them while still staying updated in the channels they care about most. This keeps communication accessible without overwhelming anyone’s notifications.

How to Get Started

Download WhatsApp if you don’t already have it. You can download WhatsApp for your devices using the following links:

iOS (iPhone): Download from the App Store

Android: Download from Google Play

Click the link below to join our Community:

Join Velo Club LaGrange

Once inside, join the sub-groups that match your interests, like Rides, Gravel, Race, Women, and more.

Customize your notifications to stay updated on the groups that matter most to you.

We’ll also be hosting a Q&A session for those new to WhatsApp. We look forward to simplifying and improving club communication with you all in one central hub!

Know someone who isn’t a member yet? Now is the perfect time to join to La Grange! Encourage your friends to start their membership and become part of our cycling community and join our new communications platform.

We can’t wait to make staying connected easier for everyone.


Women’s Happy Hour – November 7th

Our first LG Women’s Happy Hour was held on Thursday, November 7th, from 5-6pm at The Bungalow at the Fairmont Hotel. Thanks to all who joined us! If you missed it, you’ll have another chance to attend after the holidays, date TBA!

This event is all about connecting with fellow female cyclists, discussing future women’s events, rides, and brainstorming ways to encourage more women of all ages to join La Grange. Great ideas from our first meeting include:

  • UCLA feeder

  • A & B groups every ride

  • Staggered start times with B group going first

  • Rotating pace lines

  • Skills clinics- - Deb at PM

  • Clearly announce rules before each ride

  • Establish regroup distances

  • Women’s kit

  • Club collab rides

  • Possibly add an option to do 25 on the LG 50

  • Fun places to end rides: firestone, bodega, breakfast burritos,

  • Safety is a top concern, especially in keeping groups together on pch

  • Possible Xmas ride to look at lights

Reach out to Tara and Renee if you are interested to attend our next LG Women’s Happy Hour where we look forward to your input on how we can shape a strong, inclusive, and fun women’s program.

T&R

Inaugural Gravel Series Ride – November 3, 2024

By Brian Perkins

Want to see more pics from the day? Check out the complete album by Dan Mitnick here!

What started as a windy, chilly day turned into an amazing adventure for Velo Club La Grange’s inaugural gravel ride. While this idea has been discussed for years, La Grange has long been known as a road bike racing club. However, as we all know, cyclists often own more than just road bikes—gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and even e-bikes. And so, a new chapter begins.

We had an incredible turnout for our first venture off the pavement, with 35–40 riders showing up on a variety of bikes: gravel, mountain, aggressive road bikes, and even a few electric mountain bikes. Many of our seasoned LG members were excited to dust off their gravel steeds, while newcomers from other local clubs joined in to get dirty in the Santa Monica Mountains. The enthusiasm was palpable as everyone came together to tackle a fun route, make new friends, and enjoy fewer cars and more nature.

The route took us up Sullivan Ridge, out toward Trippet Ranch, around the Hub loop, and back. The day began with a well-mannered group of gravel riders—some clad in baggies, others in spandex—chatting as we climbed the pavement to the trailhead. Once the dirt began, the group spread out along the mountain.

Our first highlight came at the Nike Missile Station, where Tara greeted us at the SAG stop with plenty of hydration and snacks (including vegan-friendly options). Spirits were high as we regrouped, refueled, and shared stories before a shorter route group headed back into the city.

The more adventurous half of the group continued toward Trippet Ranch, tackling the Hub loop and enjoying stunning views near Eagle Rock. A quick regroup and a group photo—courtesy of a passing hiker—marked the halfway point. The return leg got spicy, with seasoned gravel riders pacing back to the SAG stop for round two of Tara’s snacks and encouragement.

The final push took us over Canyonback and through the Mountain Gate community, finishing with the roller-coaster descent of the Whoop-de-Doos. As luck would have it, I went over the bars on the third jump, but thankfully Nikki De Falco was right behind me, ready to dust me off. With only minor injuries (mostly a hit to my ego), we regrouped for the descent down Kenter and a well-deserved breakfast at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, where coffee and burritos were waiting.

As we headed home—tired, dirty, and full of good food—the conversation turned to when we’d tackle our next gravel adventure. For me, the day ended with a quick trip to urgent care for a check-up (no broken bones, just a prescription and a story to tell). I’m already looking forward to Chapter 2 of LG’s gravel adventures.

Mark your calendars for December 15! The route is TBD, but I’ll be happy to lead again, and I am looking for some volunteers to assist. Please DM me if interested.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special shoutout to Tara Kriese and Larry Goodman for keeping the group safe and sound. Bring your adventurous spirit and a friend as we once again escape the cars and enjoy the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains. See you on the trails!


La Grange Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels Ride

On Thanksgiving, La Grange did our traditional ride, this year along our beautiful coast to Malaga Cove and back to raise money for Meals on Wheels. Thanks to all who joined in supporting this important cause!

For photos from this beautiful day by Dan Mitnick, click here


Happy Hour at Pedal Mafia, Wednesday, Nov 6

On November 6th, club members enjoyed an evening of snacks, beverages, and socializing with fellow La Grange members and friends at LG sponsor Pedal Mafia on Main St. in Santa Monica. Great to see so many friendly faces! For more pics by Dan Mitnick, click here

Cycling News in the World

Sustainability, SafeR, and Women’s ProTeams on the UCI agenda for 2025

By Kirsten Frattini

On November 6th, club members enjoyed an evening of snacks, beverages, and socializing with fellow La Grange members and friends at LG sponsor Pedal Mafia on Main St. in Santa Monica. Great to see so many friendly faces! Read the article on Cycling News

Stay Informed:

Keep-up with LG Rides & News

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

- LG Club on Instagram

- LG Race Team on Instagram

- LG on Strava

- LG on Facebook

- LG exclusive What’s App community (new!)

Support Our Sponsors

APIR, COHEN, TREYZON & SALO, LLP (ACTS Law)

Valuable club member benefits from our sponsor ACTS Law:

  • La Grange members receive access to free track certifications at the world-famous VELO Sports Center.

  • Apir, Cohen, Treyzon & Salo, LLP (ACTS Law) specializes in cycling-related personal injury cases. They can be reached at 310-793-1400

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