BICYCLIST Magazine - #129

6

southern california

#12

Bicyclist PEDEGO_150 MILES BY E-BIKE WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF THE PATH MTB PARADISE COAST RIDE SF2SB THE DAILY GRIND SANTA BARBARA HERMES BESPOKE WHEELS IN SOCAL

events | culture | bicyclism

EVENT CALENDAR CLUB DIRECTORY

The SoCal Guide to riding a bike

Socalbicyclist.com

profiles

THE PATH

12

bike review

PEDEGO Stretch

REGULARS

EDITOR'S NOTE Find Your Adventure 5 NEW & NOTEWORTHY World Records Set 6 READER'S RIDES Your Photos #socalbicyclist 7 BIKE FIT(NESS) Part 4 9 WANDERING PHOTOGRAPHER Coast Ride '16 10 The ROUTE Santa Ana River Trail 16 BACK TO BASICS Year Round Safety Checks 18 The CLIMB Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu 24 CROSSWORD WIN a Two Wheel Gear Pannier 37 LAST PAGE Gus Van Sant "The Discipline of DE" 38

Events | Culture | Bicyclism

19

the climb

LATIGO CANYON

#12

6

Contents

March 2016

24

EVENTS

HIGHLIGHTS & PREVIEWS 28 2016 CYCLING EVENT CALENDAR 30 GRAVEL Adventure Racing / Grinders

COMPETITIVE MTB Get Dirty, Ride Clean COMPETITIVE ROAD Test Yourself RECREATION Help A Cause, Make New Friends ULTRA LENGTH 150 Miles And More ARTS & CULTURE Off The Bike

CLUBS

DIRECTORY Find Your Future Peloton

35

PROFILES

THE PATH Tustin 12 DAILY GRIND Santa Barbara 14 WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF Global Outreach 26 HERMES WHEELS San Diego 34

COVER Victor "Big Vic" Prestinary contemplates his trip down

the coast piloting a Pedego Stretch laden with photography equipment. Read the story on page 19.

PROVISIONS

REVIEWED Tools for Your Commute 8 EXPERIENTIAL Pedego Stretch Electric Bike 19

southern california BICYCLIST #129

3

REGULARS

Destinations within reach

S

outhern California promises to be a truly special place in 2016. With an infrastructure that supports bicycles and with so many destinations within reach, it is one of the most accessible places for finding adventure -- something we may sense is missing from our modern lives. I’m not suggesting we seek out dangerous activities, but just those that induce a mild sensation of discomfort or unease, mixed in with enthusiasm for the possibilities and potential enjoyment in an unknown future. The dictionary definition of "adventure" includes the potential for hazard, so we will continue to wear a helmet, but the act of taking risks and seeking new experiences is important and fundamental to being happy.

One of the mantras being repeated for 2016 is “Find Your Adventure.” It was the theme of the Tournament of Roses parade starting off the year and was chosen for this year's centennial celebration of our National Parks. It can be directly applied to our Southern California landscape which offers a truly amazing variety of environments and possibilities for adventure. For those living in Southern California (or planning to visit), there are some spectacular roads and trails lit by sunshine and with clear skies overhead throughout most of the year. The destinations at the end of these roads are achievable with bikes (and e-bikes) and are among the most geographically inviting in the nation.

Editor's Note

Another, more abstract approach to adventure doesn’t necessarily involve breath-taking coastlines or unending vistas. It’s the search for an adventure that is exciting because it involves feeling that you've experienced something rare or transcendent. In this issue of Southern California Bicyclist, we explore opportunities for finding such gems of experience in 2016. I can tell you that this issue was definitely an adventure to produce, and I hope you’ll be inspired to embark on your own unique adventures -- whatever they may be.

Have fun out there and keep in touch,

REGULARS

#129 - march 2016 EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kelley O’Toole - KO | Managing Editor kelley@socalbicyclist.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Chris Reynolds - CR | Editorial Director chris@socalbicyclist.com

Victor Prestinary - VP | Editor-at-Large victor@socalbicyclist.com Catherine Latour | Senior Editor catherine@socalbicyclist.com Tim Wilson - TW | Provisions Editor tim@socalbicyclist.com Bob Becker - BB | Senior Writer bob@socalbicyclist.com

ADVERTISING

Chris Vopinek | Advertising Coordinator cvopinek@socalbicyclist.com

ONLINE

Chris Reynolds | Design & Development chris@socalbicyclist.com Kelley O’Toole | Social Media   kelley@socalbicyclist.com Tim Wilson | Social Media  tim@socalbicyclist.com

DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS Victor Prestinary | Director victor@socalbicyclist.com

PUBLISHING

Chris Reynolds | Director chris@socalbicyclist.com

Krystof Andres, Andreas Moore, Justin Macias, Samuel Parks, Tim Wilson Cate Clark, Justin Macias, Andreas Moore Samuel Parks, Damon Roberson, Chris Scott, Tim Wilson

READ/FOLLOW/LIKE

www.socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   /socalbicyclist  #socalbicyclist

SUBMISSIONS & CONTACT

Contact info@socalbicyclist.com for editorial guidelines and information.

Southern California Bicyclist 14252 Culver Drive Irvine, CA 92604 (949) 264-3346 contact@socalbicyclist.com Designed and Printed in SoCal Founded by Will Decker All photography and design performed in-house by Reynolds/Prestinary unless otherwise noted.

Read us on

about VITALS & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Southern California Bicyclist is a multi-platform lifestyle and destination guide celebrating the arts, skills, events, and culture of the cycling life in Southern California and other locations in the Western U.S. SCB is published 10 times per year.

The print edition can be found at more than 1000 locations and events throughout California and adjacent states. Find a location near you or view the interactive, digital version at www.socalbicyclist.com Print copy subscriptions are $20 per year for 10 print issues delivered to the destination of your choice in the United States. International print subscriptions are $35. For more information, visit www.socalbicyclist.com/subscribe Copyright ©2016 All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER

Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/ or factual errors which may occur on an issue basis. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers for unsolicited materials/articles/letters /advertising and all submissions will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright and/or appropriate licensing purposes subject to SCB's right to edit and comment editorially. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine reflect the opinions of their respective author’s and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or electronic] without prior consent of the publisher.

Bicycling can be a dangerous sport and can lead to serious injury or death. Make it safer for everyone and obey all traffic laws, ride responsibly, use common sense, and wear a helmet.

southern california BICYCLIST #129

5

REGULARS

New & Noteworthy

Have something to say Did you hear about the...

WORLD RECORD Men's Annual Mileage by Bike

Arkansas man records most miles cycled in a year, 76,156

On January 10, Kurt Searvogel (53, Sheridan, AR) broke the record for most miles cycled in a calendar year. His total mileage of 76,156 exceeds the previous record set by Tony Godwin in 1939 by 1,091 miles. The women's record still stands at 29,604 miles logged by Billie Dovey in 1938. For more information on these records and more, visit the UMCA website at ultracycling.com.

MAKER Ellsworth handcrafted bicycles turns 25

San Diego company continues full-suspension innovations.

WORLD RECORD woMen's hour record 29.13 miles in one hour on a bike.

The storied bike builder founded by Tony Ellsworth in 1991 celebrates a silver anniversary in 2016. The company is known most for the innovations made in the full-suspension MTB space, with Ellsworth holding 9 patents alone for their Instant-Center-Tracking (ICT) suspension system. We'll be meeting with the Ellsworth Team next month - stay tuned!

Australian cyclist Bridie O’Donnell broke the UCI Women’s Fastest Hour record at the Adelaide Super Dome in Australia riding 46.892km for the win. The 41 year old doctor kept strong and steady throughout the hour and showed continued perseverance. The previous record of 46.274 km was set by American FOLLOW-UP E-bikes at sea otter classic race Molly Shaffer Van Houweling in Aguascalientes, Mex- New rules ensure an intense race of skill and strategy.

The Sea Otter Classic has released additional ico in September of 2015. information on its Friday, April 15, 2016, electric Send your news, updates and corrections to editor@socalbicyclist mountain bike race. Only unmodified (for performance) pedal assist (PAS) bikes of 350 watts, 20 mph maximum speed will be permitted. The batteries will be sealed to the bikes and replacements are not allowed.

A small icon (exactly like this one: ) is hidden somePresumably, battery conservation will be as important where in this issue. If you locate it and enter our Find as rider skill and bike setup.

The Chain Link contest, you may win a FREE one-year

FIND THE CHAIN LINK

subscription (or an additional year for existing subscribers) to the print edition of Southern California Bicyclist.

To enter, go to socalbicyclist.com/ftc and complete the online entry form or send an entry with your name and phone number to FTC c/o Southern California Bicyclist 14252 Culver Dr. Irvine, CA 92604. Entries must be received by February 28, 2016 for consideration. The winning entry will be selected using a random-number generator and announced in a future print issue.

For official rules and entry, VISIT SOCALBICYCLIST.COM/FTC

LAST ISSUE'S WINNER EverETT PERKINS (Phoenix, AZ)

Issue #128 - Page 18 The winner of last issue's FTC drawing was Everett Perkins of Phoenix, Arizona. He correctly identified the icon on page 18, tucked in the Black Flag poster from the profile of Rad Coffee. His Where's Waldo skills have earned him a one-year print subscription to SCB and the oneand-only SCB care pack.

6

FOLLOW-UP Most Miles In A Year by e-Bike

Rachel and Gary Corbett eclipsed the world e-bike record of 16,047 kilometers (9971 miles) after nine months of riding through 12 countries in Europe and the United Kingdom. They plan to extend their record over the next three months. Their Bosch-powered Haibikes, similar to the one that SCB will be covering in the next issue (pg. 39), have performed flawlessly so far.

FOLLOW-UP Sondors Bikes Slims Down

Follow-up to the $6 million kickstarter fat e-bike.

Storm Sondors, creator of the controversial, but ultimately successful electric fat bike that generated $6,000,000 in crowdfunding on Indiegogo, is at it again with the Sondors Slim, a $499 (plus $200 shipping) electric road bike. The initial production run of 1000 units has sold out, but Sondors is expected to order a second production run that will be available next month.

#128 CORRECTIONS Eroica California - April 8-10

We incorrectly stated the ride is held on Saturday. The ride is on Sunday, the festival is Saturday-Sunday.

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS

#socalbicyclist ď…­

Reader's Rides

Our Favorites

SDBC in Borrego Springs

Glendora Mountain Road

Chasing the Sunrise in Indio

The Keys to Happiness

Trina Jacobson @sdtaj

Carlos Reckholder @_guatemalo

Mark Ritzema @mritzema

Synthea Devery @syn_pedal

Show Us Awesome &win All chosen photos win the highly coveted, much sought after awesome sauce Purist water bottle. To be considered, follow @socalbicyclist on Instagram and tag your rides with #socalbicyclist. Congratulations to this month's winners!

southern california BICYCLIST #129

7

PROVISIONS

reviews

Tools for your commute All Roads, All Seasons Continental Tour Ride all-surface tires

Comfort and traction for your bike ($35/each)

Garmin's Varia Radar vs. Daily commute Radar detector used on the daily Yay or Nay? ($199)

The features and performance of the Garmin Edge 520 ($299) cycling computer have been reviewed extensively, but few have covered the Garmin Varia ($199 for radar module) system that works with it in extended daily use. I’ve been using the Varia radar with the 520 on my daily commute for the past couple months, and it has made for a more enjoyable riding experience, with a minor caveat.

Garmin acquired iKubu back in 2015 and introduced a small accessory compatible with the Edge 25, Edge 520 and Edge 1000 using what Garmin has termed Varia Radar Technology. When in use, the radar (with rear light built-in) detects cars to your rear as far back as the length of a football field. In the case of the 520, it displays their position as a dot along the right edge of your computer's screen. As a car approaches, the dot moves from the bottom to the top of the screen, and will even display multiple cars at varying distances (up to 8 cars). The screen lights up with an orange glow when cars are approaching and turns green when the cars have cleared. I always look over my shoulder to confirm, but the radar appears to be almost perfectly accurate on the majority of suburban and urban roads.

The only time the Varia Radar has trouble detecting cars is on small residential roads with frequent stops. The slow and changing speeds of the cars seems to interfere with the algorithms used in the programming of the unit. Look for software updates to correct this, although the radar may never be able to detect cars moving at the same speed as your bike.

The Varia radar may not improve your performance, but it can make actions like changing lanes, passing cars, or maneuvering around obstacles far easier when you have a better idea of what’s behind you. When some bibs cost more than the Varia and Edge 520 combined, the peace of mind provided by the Varia is money well spent.

Be sure to plug the unit into a computer regularly to get the newest software and, as always, trust your own senses first for accurate information about your surroundings. -VP

8

If you share the same enthusiasm for high value, multi-purpose items as I do, the Continental Tour Ride tires can complete your favorite utility (or “beater”) bike without putting a major dent in your bicycle budget. With its all surface design, the treads resemble those of a deep car tire and you can expect similar performance. These tires maintain traction on wet roads and dirt trails, while preserving performance on pavement. I tested the 28mm option which works well even when powering through shallow sand-pits, and they fit on the majority of road and commuter wheelsets and framesets.

The Tour Ride tires are available in nearly every size and within a price range that will work for lower budget builds. This is a multi-use/multi-surface tire, and as such will not be as exceptional as some specialized models. You will still need a wider tire for rocky trails otherwise you may deal with a considerable amount of bouncing, and the Tour Ride treads won't be as effective on a serious cyclocross bike. They weigh in at 510 grams each.

In SoCal, goat-head thorns litter many of the dirt trails, and the Tour Rides will not fare as well as a tubeless/sealant option. That said, these tires will enable you to ride on nearly any surface in a single ride, provide a higher level of safety in tough conditions, and withstand the wear of daily commuting. Bottom line, for jack-of-all-trades-messenger-style-budgetriders and their bikes, these tires are exactly what are needed. Everyone else: these make a perfect backup or starter tire if you're trying some new ways of riding. -VP

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS

I

Part 4: Core Strength

By Damon Roberson

n the last issue, we covered the importance of proper pedaling technique and its role in the bike fit process. This process should be ongoing and evolving as you adapt to the new changes you’ve made to your fit. It can be compared to working out at the gym. You may not notice much of a difference the first few times you train, but with enough dedication and hard work, the results will be undeniable.

ASSUMPTIONS: BIKE FIT

Let’s assume that you’ve had an extensive and comprehensive fit done by a professional. You should know some very important things about yourself and your fit that you didn’t know before, such as how much energy it was costing you to ride with all the power that you thought you were putting down. It is possible that a good 20% of the power to the pedals was lost. You can tune a bike fit to match someone in their current physical state, but if you ride around without correcting your bad habits, you'll receive little benefit after spending your hard earned cash.

RESULTS

Implementing the exercises I’ve discussed in previous articles will help you gain that extra benefit from your valuable saddle time.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of creating stability within your core. Not for the purpose of strength, but so you can enlist core muscles when in proper saddle position and engage them for a proper pedaling technique.

Damon Roberson is a former professional cyclist who now lives as a freelance nomadic contributor and cycling adventure pioneer. You can find out more about him and his work at damonfit.com.

Bike Fit(ness)

This is the fourth in a series of informational articles that explore the various functions and interactions of our bodies and the machines we ride. Each issue covers a specific element of bicycling physiology. Our goal is to empower readers with knowledge that supports their efforts to keep cycling strong both on and off the bike.

The Exercise

Balancing Cat Your responsibility on and off the bike is to strengthen your core, but I’m not talking about “old school” style crunches - that stuff is for the birds.

You need a workout that will tone your whole system, not isolate one group at a time. If you follow this simple exercise for 5-8 minutes, three times a week, you will improve your power on the bike and all your core muscles will work in harmony.

Here is one of the most effective movements you can do to work your entire core. This pose is also referred to as Balancing Cat and may be familiar to yogis:

1. Begin on all fours.

2. Hands under shoulders and knees under hips.

3. Inhale as you lift your left arm and right leg, extending each limb away from your body. Keep them parallel to the floor level or slightly higher, but don't over reach. Hold for 2-3 seconds.

4. Exhale and return to all fours.

Repeat on the other side and remember to connect the movement to your breath, inhaling as you extend your limbs, then exhale as you return to starting position. Do this five times on each side. When you’re finished, rest for a moment, and then challenge yourself to hold the pose up to a minute on each side.

The benefits This one seemingly simple movement will go a long way towards keeping you more balanced and functional on and off the bike. The benefits include improved posture, improved breathing capacity, and strengthening of all the small accessory muscles in the back and deep core.

A Quick Review Have your bike evaluated by a professional to make sure it fits your unique physiology. Learn how to correctly interact with your saddle. Balance out your core with guidance from a qualified instructor. Practice good pedaling technique to avoid improper practice and wasted pedaling effort. Learn to breathe correctly. The next issue will cover how to utilize your diaphragm on and off the bike to obtain more oxygen, your most powerful fuel source.

BICYCLING IS AN ACTIVITY THAT REQUIRES CORE STRENGTH FOR OPTIMAL PEDALING POWER AND BALANCE

southern california BICYCLIST #129

9

REGULARS

wandering photographer

Coast Ride Lompoc, CA

START San Francisco, CA END Santa Barbara, CA

10

RIDE LENGTH ~365 miles RIDE TIME 3 days

ORGANIZER WEBSITE www.thecoastride.org

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS A January tradition amongst friends has grown into a ride that drew more than 300 riders this past January 16-18, beginning in San Francisco and finishing in Santa Barbara. The riders make use of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to tackle the 360+ miles of road. They had their work cut out as rain continued to follow the group, but the hard men and women we caught up with on Day 3 were too suffused with summit-fever to take notice of the "mist." For more photos along the way, visit socalbicyclist.com/coast

SEE YOURSELF? LET US KNOW!

Pictured cyclists (or any of you other crazy cats that finished ALL three days) can email us at wp@socalbicyclist.com and receive a FREE one-year subscription to the print edition of Southern California Bicyclist magazine. Well done!

southern california BICYCLIST #129

11

PROFILES

Bike Shop

The Path Tustin, CA

The Path

215 W First St #102 Tustin, CA 92780

thepathbikeshop.com @thepath

"Love the Bike You Ride" is the motto at The Path Bike Shop in Tustin.

(Above Right - Megan Welch prepares the schedule for the week's shop rides. You can find more information at www.thepathbikeshop.com)

The Path's "Take-Off Wall" might have the part you need for your Franken-Bike. Stop by before placing that Amazon order.

The staff has the resources, know how, and experience to assist any type of customer with their dream bike.

12

The Path bike shop (Tustin, CA) MTB Nirvana & DIY Paradise

Bike shops in Orange County set a high bar.

With the density of riders and diversity of rides, OC shops have become highly specialized, offering residents exactly what they need to succeed. The Path is one such local shop that specializes in SoCal MTB. Tani Walling started The Path in 1998 as a hole-in-thewall service shop in Tustin, and it has since grown into a multi-thousand square-foot MTB nirvana. By sponsoring local events like the Over the Hump series at Irvine Lake, The Path has become an integral part of the OC MTB scene. They host weekly intermediate and advanced tours of the Santa Ana Mountains, covering Santiago Oaks, Limestone Canyon, and Whiting Ranch parks. At both the main location in Tustin and satellite location in Trabuco Canyon, you can find a full service and retail shop, rentals, group rides, and helpful staff.

With their motto of “Love the Bike You Ride,” they are passionate and perfectly equipped to set up a dream ride for any bicyclist fantasy. The Path works with smaller national and local brands to be able to offer a wide range of customization to customers. Sure, stock bikes can be affordable and convenient, but The Path staff know that each rider is different, and can build up the perfect bike for any level or discipline. Thinking of ordering a part online? As rebuilds occur frequently at The Path, DIY-ers can enjoy their "take-off wall" of various discounted components which were removed from stock bikes. Seriously, if MTB is your thing, stop by this OC biking landmark, and experience the reason bike shops are here to stay. -VP

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! SUBSCRIBE AND RECEIVE EVERY ISSUE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

socalbicyclist.com/subscribe

PROFILES

The Daily Grind

COFFEE

T

Santa Barbara, CA

he Daily Grind is a full service cafe located in Santa Barbara proper and is a favorite among the local college students.

They have a fully stocked shop with a juice and smoothie bar, sandwich and salad deli, and full coffee bar.

The Daily Grind's menu has options for all the appetites (and diets) in your group ride - stop by for lunch, coffee, or a mid-ride snack.

This cafe, which is a re-purposed Shell gas station (classically SoCal), also has accommodations for bike parking away from the street.

The first thing you'll notice on the way inside is a sea of vintage city bikes adorning the tops of the walls (along with the original Shell sign). Since 1995, Californians of all backgrounds have enjoyed the quirky decor and a solid variety of freshly brewed coffee from The Daily Grind. -VP

THE DAILY GRIND

2001 De La Vina Santa Barbara, CA 93105 www.dailygrindsb.com Located on the busy corner of De La Vina and Mission, the retro gas station building draws locals and visitors alike.

• 100% All Natural Ingredients

• Scientifically Proven to Stop Muscle Cramps™ • 10X Electrolytes as Sports Drinks

• Sugar Free, GMO Free, Caffeine Free, Gluten Free

14

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS

a long journey

By Bob Becker

electric Age

Electric bikes are as easy to build and customize as pedal bikes. This project made the trip from Newport Beach to the Canyons a more casual and exploratory experience.

S

aturday, January 2 the Irvine Ranch Conservancy hosted Open Access Day at Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park (see below). Individuals were permitted to bike, hike or horseback on more than seven miles of trails in this historically rich, but usually closed area.

The day dawned clear and cool as I anticipated exploring where trappers and Native Americans engaged in a fierce battle during the 1800's and California grizzly bears once roamed. Also, this was an opportunity to experience the diverse spectrum of plant and animal species replete in the park. Some people think that Black Star is haunted by ghosts, but it was too early to hope for an encounter.

I rode a hardtail mountain bike with a mid-drive motor to the park. This system adds electric power to the crankset, which is potent, but legal for bicycle lanes in California. I arranged to meet with the rest of

the SCB Team at Black Star to review the event. My e-bike gave me the confidence to know I would still have the energy to hike after riding to the trail head.

We checked in at the entrance, explored the trails, took some photographs, then departed I rode home and reflected back to a time years ago, when this journey would have been much less practical because the lead-acid batteries needed for power were ponderous. The advent of lithium in battery chemistry heralded a new era for electric vehicles by reducing the battery weight markedly.

E-bikes have become lighter and more powerful with excellent range. Now, it is feasible to explore remote areas or use the bike for traveling moderate distances.

Imagination and technology have converged.

The Electric Age is all about electric bikes.

Send your e-bike questions to bob@socalbicyclist.com

LETS GO OUTSIDE!

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy promotes activities for approximately 30,000 acres of Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The activities include mountain biking, hiking, equestrian, interpretative, fitness, stewardship, and trail work. Open Access allows individuals to explore an area without guidance, but most activities are docent-led.

The next Open Access days at Limestone, Black Star and Bommer Canyons are February 6, February 20 and March 5, respectively. See their website letsgooutside.org for details and to sign up for programs.

southern california BICYCLIST #129

15

REGULARS

Santa Ana River Trail

By Justin Macias

The Route

underneath the bridge. Be careful.

When coming down this section, you can gather more speed than you think. The turn gets tighter as you get to the bottom, and leaves can make it slippery. From this point, the end of the trail is the last stop before getting off the road and continuing on towards the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area.

The SART runs creekside from Corona to the Pacific, bisecting Orange County.

T

he Santa Ana River Trail (SART) is a Class One Bike Path that connects the Pacific Ocean to the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, with only a small break in the middle. This article covers the lower section and explains how to reach the beginning of the upper section. As the main artery of Orange County’s cycling infrastructure, the SART is essential for navigating through Orange County safely and efficiently.

Overall, the route is flat with only a handful of bridge crossings. There are mile-markers along the entire trail and are a point of reference.

PCH - GREEN RIVER ROAD

Starting from PCH, and riding upriver, the first bridge crossing is found after the two-mile marker and takes you past Fairview Park.

Continuing, you will pass the Mesa Verde Country Club before dropping down and under the 405 Freeway following the 4 m.m. (Local tip: In the mornings, the trail smells like cookies just before the

16

Slater underpass) At the 7 m.m., you arrive at Centennial Regional Park. Soccer fields and facilities are located inside the park. If you have the time, you may be able to catch a quick game.

The next bridge crossing takes you from the 17th Street Triangle to Edna Park which also has easy-access bathroom facilities, and even parking. (Near this point in the trail, if you continue up river without crossing, you can connect to the Santiago Creek Trail. After passing under the 22 and 5 Freeways, you’ll see Angel Stadium and the iconic “A” after the 12 m.m. Shortly after this, you will run into the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) which is a great way to catch a game and beat a lot of the traffic by taking a train.

At the Honda Center, the trail makes a quick U-turn, crosses over Katella, and passes some bathroom facilities with a water fountain and park benches. The next major point along the trail lies after the 91 Freeway at Riverdale Park, which is past the 18 m.m. and the bridge just past the 20 m.m. After crossing over the bridge, you continue up the river path following the yellow lines and rejoin the river trail, past Mercado Del Rio, but before m.m. 24. Along this section of the trail is a great view of Featherly Regional Park which is limited to viewing only.

At the 26 m.m., cross over the bridge with orange railing and continue down and around, back

GREEN RIVER ROAD TO HIDDEN VALLEY WILDLIFE AREA

Although more direct routes can take you farther up the river trail, the one described here seems to be the fastest and least congested way to get to the start of the Upper SART. Rather than cut straight through the center of Corona, via 6th St and Magnolia Ave (which is well-marked with bike lanes), I opted to take a slightly more roundabout way, past the Corona Municipal Airport, from the Green River to Palisades and, then to Serfas Club which turns into Railroad St. From there, move onto Smith Ave and then onto Rincon St, which will turn right onto Corydon St, slowly turning into a residential area.

With plenty of space on these neighborhood streets, you'll find less congestion than you would riding through the city. Corydon St will turn into Norco Dr, and shortly thereafter, turn onto Alhambra St. This will prevent you from taking Norco Dr over the 15 Freeway which isn’t a very bicycle-friendly road. The better alternative is to take Alhambra until Hamner Ave and use Detroit St to cross over the 15 Freeway. From here you can continue on Sierra Ave/River Drive which will follow along the riverside until Pedley Ave. With a quick turn onto Crestview and North Drive, you will see the entrance to the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area just past the Crestlawn Memorial Park and be able to hop onto the Upper Santa Ana River Trail.

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS

SANTA ANA RIVER TRAIL (SART) Bicycle commuter highway

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Angel Stadium • Honda Center (The Pond) • SoCo Mix Mart • A place on the trail that smells like cookies

BIKE SHOPS

• Rock N' Road Cyclery • GC Bikes • Fenix Cycling • Newport Velo • Jenson USA Bicycles • Norco Cycle • Pedals Bike Shop

VISIT socalbicyclist.com/local

for more information on these destinations within reach.

STARTING POINTS

• Edna Park • Yorba Regional Park • Riverdale Park • Centennial Regional Park • Moon Park • Fairview Park • Le Bard Park • Santa Ana River Trail Start

For more writing by Justin Macias, visit his collection of posts at www.cyclistthings.com

COFFEE STOPS

• Portola Coffee Lab • Provisions Market • Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders • Grow Coffee + Tea • Newport Beach Corner Cafe and Market

• Xpresso Urban Cafe • Kraemer’s Coffee Bistro • Arcade Coffee Roasters

southern california BICYCLIST #129

17

REGULARS

Commute

Year Round Safety Checks

By Justin Macias

W

SHIFTING

Run through all the gears and look for any hesitation in the up or down shifts. If the shifting is slow to respond or is stiff, check the cable and cable housing for wear or rust. Like the brakes, the cable and housing should also be changed once a year for optimal performance.

ith constant attention to results, it can be easy to overlook regular maintenance for your bike, resulting in an unsafe or inefficient machine. Worse yet, an unnoticed, easily fixed problem can turn into a much more costly endeavor. Review these simple maintenance procedures DRIVETRAIN to keep your bike rolling reliably on a daily basis. The drivetrain involves the front crank, the rear cas-

BRIEF CHECK

Before each ride, do a quick check of the obvious.

Check the tire pressure, quick releases, and give the brakes a quick grab. This will keep you out of most trouble. Your bike will roll, your wheels won’t fall off, and you’ll be able to stop yourself. A few other things that should be checked are not as recognizable. When checking the tire pressure, confirm that the tire is properly seated in the rim and that the tube isn’t peeking out from under the tire. As you examine the wheels, make sure the play isn’t because the hubs are loose.

Sometimes it's assumed that only quick releases are the cause of loose wheels, resulting in a tendency to over-tighten them.

DETAILED CHECK

Beginning with the wheels, inspect the rim and spokes for wear and cracks. Lightly rock the wheels to make sure they are secure in the frame and that the quick release skewers and hubs are not loose. This can be done lightly with a quick wiggle. It doesn’t require much force. If you haven't been rotating your tires, it would be a good idea to inspect the wear down the middle and along the sidewalls. Indicators of a worn out tire are exposed threads and cracks along the sidewall.

BRAKES

Moving to the brakes, start by giving the brake levers a quick squeeze. The pads should make even contact and the pads should still have plenty of material. If you feel resistance, check the brake housing for damage. Generally, cable and housings should be changed annually for optimal performance.

18

sette, and corresponding derailleurs. A quick wiggle will ensure that the cassette and crank are secure.

Check the teeth for wear. If you find pointed ends, then it’s probably time to get a new drivetrain. If the teeth still have a slightly flattened tip, then it can still be used. A common culprit of poor shifting for the rear derailleur is a bent derailleur hanger. If your bike has fallen over on the side of the drivetrain, you may need to have it straightened by your local bike shop.

NUTS AND BOLTS

The best way to check the safety of all nuts is with a torque wrench. Most small bolts on your bike should be about as tight as your wrist can tighten them.

When you start to re-grip the wrench and really lean into it, then you may be over-torqueing the bolt. The main hazards of over-torqueing a bolt include stripping the head or snapping the bolt clean off, which can be dangerous if it occurs when you are riding. If you find that any of the nuts or bolts are loose, and you are unsure of how to tighten them, get help from your local bike shop.

COMMUNICATING THE PROBLEM

The best way for bike shop technicians to determine the condition of a bike is for them to inspect the bike in person. After doing the checks described above, you will be able to determine the location of any problem. Providing this information makes the mechanic’s job much easier. Trying to diagnose a “weird noise” or find "a very specific part", without the model or year of the bike over the phone wastes the mechanic’s time -- and yours! Visit your local bike shop with bike in hand, and your mechanic will suggest the best course of action to get your bike functioning the way it should be. In short time, your bike will be up right side up and ready to roll.

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

PEDEGO Stretch

PROVISIONS

A a st a l Co P I R T day O

n the morning of January 20, I took the 7:44 Surfliner out of the Irvine Amtrak Station to Santa Barbara. Awaiting me at the Santa Barbara station was the rest of the SCB team, joining me in the sea-side town. The SCB team was in town to cover the finish of the Coast Ride (see page 10), and I decided that this would be the a perfect opportunity to test an extended ride on the Pedego Stretch. The Stretch is a aluminum cargo bike, built like a tank and capable of hauling up to 400 pounds. Weighing in at 85 pounds, the Stretch still manages hills with its 7-speed drivetrain, but by itself is not ideal over long distance. With the addition of the 500 watt electronic assist motor, the cruiser-feeling bike turns into a touring machine.

I enjoyed the Pedego Stretch as a cargo hauler, photo bike, and support vehicle, but I was curious to test its touring capabilities. In the early dawn, I had packed my photo gear bag (3 camera bodies, large lenses, and tripods ~18 lbs), pannier with change of clothes and food, and most importantly, extra batteries that we picked up from Pedego in Irvine, and rode to the Amtrak station. Stowing the bike on the train was a little harder than I had expected (due to its weight), but otherwise I had a smooth ride up the coast. When the train arrived in Santa Barbara, I discovered what the Coast Riders had been battling for days: rain.

Capturing the riders was the best part of my trip.

Through their dried-mud covered faces and expressions of concentration from maneuvering the slick roads, they still managed to crack a few smiles when they saw my camera. A thousand frames later, our task

was complete. I packed up my things while the rest of the crew prepared to continue on an unrelated journey northward.

Heading southward along the coast, I enjoyed the sunset over the Pacific on my right. My equipment was easily secured with bungee cords on the bike's frame-rack which is configurable in different positions depending on the cargo. Having batteries packed on each side, the bike rode heavy, but maintained its bearings well. The Stretch is Pedego’s largest bike and one battery lasts no more than 50 miles, so I made sure to pack two extra for the 150-mile ride home. The sun slowly set behind the clouds and the light lasted just long enough to get me to the spot we picked out to photograph the Latigo Canyon Climb (see page 24).

The melodic whirring of the motor and wet sound of large rolling tires hypnotized me through the dark hours along Highway 1 (PCH) with the built in light system filling in when street lights failed.

After a solid eight hours in the saddle, and three drained batteries later, I arrived home. The satisfaction of finishing was different from what I felt after my usual bike ride. I marveled at the possibilities afforded by such a simple machine. Here was a bike that could be ridden by any person, with or without a driver’s license, and accomplish so much without the burden of a car.

I plugged in one of the batteries to recharge it overnight and lugged the camera gear back to the house.

When I sunk into bed after my day’s adventure, I wondered: What else could be done without a car? -VP (Pedego Stretch. 85 lbs. $3,500) Locate a test ride at pedego.com

southern california BICYCLIST #129

19

A a st a l Co P I R T day

Stretch

PEDEGO #12

6

(continued from pg. 19) The briefly required 101 Freeway excursion signaling the departure from Santa Barbara County.

We outfitted the bike with a Brooks B17 saddle and extended length titanium seatpost to improve the fit and pedal stroke.

More photos available at

www.socalbicyclist.com/pedego

The Stretch can keep you going at a 20 mph average while the assist is engaged. Overnight trips turn into day trips.

22

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

The Stretch required three batteries to traverse the 156 mile distance. Bungee cords attached the spare batteries securely to the frame.

southern california BICYCLIST #129

23

REGULARS

the climb

latigo canyon road World-Class Climbing in Malibu, CA

The Latigo Canyon climb will be part of the Malibu Gran Fondo, held March 5-6, 2016 and will include a timed KOM challenge.

Visit ridemalibugranfondo.com for details.

Basics This classic Malibu climb coils like a Kingsnake gliding through coastal brush as it traces a route up-and-over the sandstone bluffs that hug the Pacific coast and connects PCH in Malibu to Mulholland Highway in Westlake Village. The snaking of the road may limit views from the saddle, but provides an advantage by imposing a natural speed-limit on drivers. What the views lack in quantity, they make up for in quality.

Our favorite overlook was Ramera Mtwy.

Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view from this easily missed side space.

Specifics The average grade of the climb is 4 percent, although you’ll climb just over 2,090 feet to get to the top, a gain of 225 feet over the 9.2 miles of road. You may find the metrics overstate the difficulty. Latigo provides moments of respite due to short descents and lower-intensity sections where you can catch your breath. The first summit comes crests around mile 6.4, measured from the base, and provides both a view and a place to re-group. The second stretch will takes you to an intersection of Kanan Dume Road or if you continue, Mulholland Highway.

Directions & Parking Parking is available along PCH, although loading/unloading bikes can be a chore.

Look north of Topanga Canyon Road for plenty of parking and lots of space to maneuver gear in and out of vehicles. With Malibu under a mile away and Santa Monica less than 10 miles, you will have excellent beginning and end points for your Latigo adventure.

24

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS

Latigo Canyon Road Length Elevation Gain Average Grade

Climbing Difficulty (1-5) Road Traffic (1-5) Cross-Traffic (1-5) Surface Condition (1-5) Views (1-5)

9.2 mi 1981 ft 4%

3.5 3.5 3 4 3.5

let us know how you do!

Join the Southern California Bicyclist STRAVA Group and share your own climbs or submit a photo to theclimb@socalbicyclist.com or post to Instagram - #socalbicyclist.

The last few miles of the road provide a cacophony of turns with hairpins and steady graded sections.

The base of Latigo Canyon Road connecting to Highway 1 in Malibu.

southern california BICYCLIST #129

25

PROFILES

organizations

Dilemma Solved By The Buffalo Bike

By Cate Clark

Students in Africa enjoying their Buffalo Bikes.

Photo courtesy of WBR

O

n an unusually cold and windy day in SoCal, I cozied up to paperwork. It wasn’t the best day for taking a ride, so I decided to tackle my stack of charitable organization literature. The pile had increased significantly towards the end of last year, with no end to the causes I care about.

From the survival of Mother Earth to the suffering of animals and humans, the jumble of solicitations was now spilling out of a very large shoebox. Even supporting Wikipedia and my favorite music stations and concert venues had become yet another set of requests. At least those just filled up my email Inbox.

How would I narrow down the flood of worthy causes and requests without becoming an isolationist, firstworld Scrooge?

KEEP IT SIMPLE

After I procrastinated a bit by giving my bike a good cleaning, I got back to my task. Categorizing organizations by type, with a plan to select only one from each group, seemed like a good way to start. In reviewing two of my “human” favorites (Women to Women International and World Vision), I noticed that contributors have the option of buying a bicycle for someone needing basic transportation. I had just re-read the #126 issue of SCB which had an ad for World Bicycle Relief and it occurred to me that this organization might be the solution to my dilemma. I looked into it.

WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF

health care. Initially, bikes were made in the U.S. and shipped to other countries, but the environmental challenges prevented this from being sustainable.

After consulting with local people and locating spare parts in remote areas, the WBR engineering staff designed a 55-pound, one-speed bicycle that could sustain tough environments. Locally assembled, these rugged bicycles are especially useful for women who use them to take children to clinics and transport food from markets. Educational programs have been set up by WBR to increase school attendance by contracting with student recipients, and 70 percent are girls.

EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE

All WBR programs are designed to be efficient. For every 50 bicycles distributed, one mechanic is trained and equipped with basic spare parts and tools; this also nurtures a small business. With simple, sustainable bicycle transportation, an individual’s access to economic opportunity increases.

LOCAL DEMAND, A GLOBAL BIKE

Local demand inspired WBR to launch their social enterprise, Buffalo Bicycles Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary. By selling bicycles, spare parts, and mechanics training, Buffalo Bicycles helps reduce overall program expenses, more than they could through donations alone. Shared costs, such as shipping, assembly and facility space, are spread over a larger number of bicycles. Most customers are non-profit organizations that use the bicycles to improve efficiency in their respective programs, thus providing more people with affordable, reliable transportation.

Transporting heavy, bulky loads over long distances by farmers, entrepreneurs and health care workers, requires a robust bicycle engineered to withstand harsh conditions. The technology has been tested in punishing field conditions and ongoing feedback is used to improve the bicycles. Design innovations are made compatible with locally available spare parts, ensuring that, with proper maintenance, the bicycles will remain durable for years. Each bike comes with a small toolkit and a pump for basic maintenance, but WBR has developed a Field Mechanics Training Program that accompanies distribution. Each trained mechanic receives a bike, a set of high quality tools, a uniform, and basic marketing materials. Some mechanics work with micro-lenders to establish businesses and purchase a stock of spare parts .

Founded in 2005 by an executive of a U.S. bicycle parts company, World Bicycle Relief is dedicated to mobilizing people by using specially-designed bicycles that can withstand the challenging terrain and conditions in rural, developing areas. An international, non-profit organization based in Chicago, FACTS AND FIGURES it specializes in large-scale, comprehensive distri- With six assembly facilities and 285,488 bikes in the bution programs to aid poverty relief with a focus field, WBR provides sustainable transportation to the primarily on education, economic development, and (continued on next page)

26

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

PROFILES global community and promotes its mission through its Power of Bicycles program. A registered 501c3 organization, WBR is funded through a combination of donations and earned income from its social enterprise program; 73% of donations directly fund the bicycle program. Expenses include bike purchases, shipping, assembly and distribution as well as mechanics training, recipient selection, community education, and program monitoring. With over 100 employees in eight countries around the world working in everything from bicycle assembly to donor acknowledgment, this organization is changing the world one bicycle at a time.

RIDING INTO THE NEW YEAR

Clouds were moving swiftly across the sky as I moved aside the envelopes on my desk. Learning about WBR made me think a bit more about the bicycle as truly an “engine for economic and cultural empowerment.” Non-polluting and rarely dangerous to living things, this simple machine provides something more than sport, recreation or exercise. For many in the world, it fulfills a utilitarian purpose and is especially useful for girls who may otherwise be forced to drop out of school because they live too far away or risk dangers such as violence or kidnapping on their walking route. Safe and speedy transportation helps not only eager students, but adult women who use

this ingenious invention of the modern world to help themselves earn more money.

With a bicycle, women can travel four times further in the same amount of time and carry five times more goods than they could on foot. For many, riding pleasure is connected to survival.

Selecting whether or how to “give back” is personal. Some choose not to share their good fortune.

Others are not able to. Most of my life, I have tried to support causes, but not necessarily as actively or financially as I am able to now. Whether altruism exists may be debated, and I don’t consider myself the most generous person anyway, but I’ve found that delaying the purchase of another bike accessory so I can make contributions is a way for me to connect to the better part of this world -- and myself. And I’ve learned that it’s not the amount as much as the act of sharing that forms connection. In the end, I decided to write a new check, to World Bicycle Relief. (Actually, I went online to worldbicyclerelief.org to make my donation.)

So, I begin 2016 knowing that, even on those cold and windy days when I may not be on the road, our shared sun may be shining on a new member of the cycling community.

Visit www.worldbicyclerelief.com to make a donation.

southern california BICYCLIST #129

27

EVENTS

highlights

Competitive You vs. the world

sea otter classic

Whiting ranch time trial

April 14 - 17, 2016

March 19, 2016

The Sea Otter is cycling’s North American season opener in Monterey, CA. Hundreds of professional and amateur cyclists attend Sea Otter each year to race. Most of cycling’s racing disciplines are represented, including MTB cross-country, downhill, dual slalom and short track racing. Road cyclists compete in circuit, criterium, and road racing. Also offered are cyclocross and a number of non-competitive recreational events for riders of all ages.

la circuit race April 17, 2016

The LA Circuit Race was founded in 1994 and is a USAC Sanctioned competitive Pro/Am criterium bicycle race for all levels. The start and finish of the race are located at the Los Angeles International Airport.

The 4.5 mile route for the Whiting Ranch Time Trial incorporates elements of cross-country, enduro and class time-trial formats into one unparalleled event. This off-road race is as challenging as it is fun. Beginning with a 660foot climb up “dreaded hill,” racers leave the line at 30-second intervals then descend steep, rocky trails before climbing and descending again to the start/ finish line. Prizes will be given to the overall top male and top female racers, as well as awards for all the different categories.

full schedule and event details at

socalbicyclist.com/events

2016 MTB Racing Series continues...

Southridge Winter series #4 February 20-21, 2016 Southridge Park

Kenda Cup West #1 March 6, 2016 Vail Lake Resort

US Cup #1

March 6, 2016 Bonelli Park For more information on upcoming event series, check out our comprehensive calendar on page 30 or visit us online at socalbicyclist.com/events

A Dual Slalom race from our visit to the Sea Otter Classic in 2015

28

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

EVENTS

recreation

highlights

Help A Cause, Make New Friends

tour de cure - ship to shore May 1, 2016

The Tour de Cure is more than just a cycling event, it’s a day packed with excitement and energy where riders of all levels raise critical funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy in support of the American Diabetes Association.

At the Ship to Shore event, bike riders can choose between 8, 11, 32, 61, and 100 miles. Get your runner friends involved with the addition of the 5-mile fun run. All rides start and finish at the historical Queen Mary. The total climbing for the century is approximately 4,600 ft.

CAMPAGNOLO GRAN FONDO Sd April 9-10, 2016

Dubbed “San Diego’s Finest Cycling Event”, this two-day festival features a mass start on Saturday in Ruocco Park (last year a Ferrari lead the pack) with four route options: 105, 56, 34, and 20 miles (a new addition this year). If you are riding the Gran Fondo, be prepared for climbs to a maximum elevation of 2,600 ft. The Honey Springs Road climb will serve as the KOM/QOM for the Gran Fondo riders. Proceeds from the Campagnolo Gran Fondo San Diego will benefit Challenged Athletes - Operation Rebound.

full schedule and event details at socalbicyclist.com/events

50 mile ride for rwanda April 30, 2016

The 50 mile route is the signature ride of the event and has a total of 5000 feet of climbing. This is a ride to train for! The vision of the 10th annual 50 mile Ride for Rwanda is to raise $120,000 in support of World Bicycle Relief and Team Africa Rising. This event has raised over $770,000 so far. Offered at registration is the “Buy a Bike” package for $147, this will provide a durable steel utility bike for a deserving young student in Africa.

CICLAVIA - THE VALLEY March 6, 2016

On Sunday March 6, four miles of Los Angeles roads will be closed to cars for CicLAvia in the Valley.

By 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, Van Nuys Blvd will be carless from San Fernando Road to Roscoe Blvd until 5:30. CicLAvia is a free event open to any person engaged in human-powered motion.

Follow along v

facebook.com/socalbicyclist

Join the conversation

Twitter @socalbicyclist southern california BICYCLIST #129

29

EVENTS

2016

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 6

Saturday

7

Sunday

13

Saturday

14

Sunday

20

Saturday

Southridge Winter Series #3 Fontana Southridge Racing Family MTB: Downhill, XC, Super-D Southridge Park, 92337 Tuttle Creek Road Race Lone Pine Anti Gravity Cycling ROAD: 12 mile loop Spainhower Park, 93514 Southridge Winter Series #3 Southridge Racing Family MTB: Downhill, XC, Super-D Southridge Park, 92337

Fontana

Old Caz Grasshopper Adventure Series GX: 50 miles / 4500’ Occidental Community Center

Occidental

Rock Cobbler 3.0 Bakersfield Sam Barn Promotions GX: 100 miles / 7000’ Lengthwise Brewing Co., 93313

Roger Millikan Memorial Criterium Canyon Velo ROAD: Criterium Brea, 92821

Camino Real Double Century Irvine Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles / 8500’ La Quinta Inn, 92618

Rosena Ranch Circuit Race ROAD: 2 mile course Rosenda Ranch, 92407

21

Sunday

26-28 Multi

Rosena Ranch Circuit Race #1

Southridge Winter Series #4 Southridge Racing Family MTB: Downhill, XC, Super-D Southridge Park, 92337

San Bernardino Fontana

NAHBS Sacramento North American Handbuilt Bike Show FESTIVAL Sacramento Convention Center, 95814

Saturday

Boulevard Road Race UCSD Cycling ROAD: 22 miles Campo, 92906

Solana Beach Remote Ride A Road Bike 4U ROAD: 65 miles Amtrak Station, 92618

27

28

February

30

Dare to Race Grand Prix Pacific Sunset Velo ROAD: 1.1 mile course Jurupa Valley, 92509

presented by

Brea

The Tainthammer Gustine California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 110 miles / 350’ Los Banos, CA Southridge Winter Series #4 Fontana Southridge Racing Family MTB: Downhill, XC, Super-D Southridge Park, 92337

SCB.FM

San Diego

Jurupa Valley

Irvine to Solana Beach

follow us on facebook /socalbicyclist GUIDE TO THE CALENDAR WE DO OUR BEST TO COMB THE WILD WEST of cycling event websites to get the information you need to make the most of your time in the saddle.

We provide this comprehensive listing, without endorsement, but we ask that you support the events that support the magazine.

Do you have an event you’d like to list? Submit for free at socalbicyclist.com/events

SIGNS & SYMBOLS COMPETITION events with posted participants and results ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS help us help you

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

EVENTS

2016 MARCH 5

Saturday

5-6 Multi

CALENDAR

Socal Enduro Series #2 Socal Enduro MTB: Enduro Vail Lake Resort, 92592

Southridge Winter FINAL Southridge Racing Family MTB: Downhill, XC, Super-D Southridge Park, 92337

Temecula

Fontana

Menso’s SLO Ride to Hell Santa Margarita California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 75 miles / 350’ Santa Margarita, CA

Mulholland Prelude Agoura Hills Planet Ultra ROAD: D1 - Supported D2 - Unsupported Sheraton Hotel, 91301

Malibu Gran Fondo Malibu

Complete Cycling Experience

ROAD: D1 - 171km Gran Fondo

D2 - 20km Time Trial

Four Seasons, Westlake Village, CA 91362

Registration at ridemailibugranfondo.com

6

Sunday

11

Sunday

12

Southridge Racing Winter FINAL Southridge Racing Family MTB: Downhill, XC, Super-D Southridge Park, 92337 Kenda Cup West - XC #1 Kenda Cup MTB: XC Vail Lake Resort, 92592

Temecula

Kenda Cup West - Endurance #1 Kenda Cup MTB: Endurance Vail Lake Resort, 92592

Temecula

CicLAvia - The Valley CicLAvia FREE - ALL BIKES WELCOME Van Nuys Blvd, 91402

Los Angeles

LAVRA Monday Night Sprints Carson Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Association TRACK: 250 meters VELO Sports Center, 90746 Tour de Murrieta Time Trial SoCal Cup Series ROAD: 4.1 miles Murrieta, 92562

Saturday Solvang Century

SCOR

ROAD: 100 miles / 4950’

62 miles / 3000’

50 miles / 1850’

Hotel Corque, 93463

Register at bikescor.com

Fontana

US Cup Bonelli XC #1 USA Cycling MTB: XC **UCI C3** Bonelli Park, 93463

Murrieta

Solvang

San Dimas

southern california BICYCLIST #129

31

EVENTS

CALENDAR 12

2016

MARCH

Saturday

Tour de Murrieta Grand Prix Murrieta SoCal Cup Series ROAD: 1 mile loop Murrieta, 92562 Shevock’s Sierra Surprise Foresthill California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 75 miles / 9000’ Foresthill, CA

St. Paddy’s Palomar Punishment Cycling Camp San Diego (CCSD) ROAD: 96, 83, 73, 37 miles Stone Farms, 92026

Escondido

Chileno Valley Classic Occidental Grasshopper Adventure Series ROAD: 80 miles / 8000’ Occidental Community Center, 92026

Sunday

Kenda Cup West - XC #2 Kenda Cup MTB: XC Bonelli Park, 93463

San Dimas

13

18-19 Multi

APRIL

1-3 Multi

San Dimas Stage Race ROAD: 3 stage time trial Glendora Mountain Road (GMR)

2 Saturday

Panoche Desert Hills Firebaugh California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 75 miles / 350’ Firebaugh, CA

Ride the Freeway California Classic Weekend ROAD: 100, 60, 35 miles Chukchansi Stadium, 93721

US Cup - Fontana Natl. XC #2 USA Cycling MTB: XC **UCI HC** Southridge Park, 92337

Fontana

3 Sunday

Kenda Cup West - XC #3 Kenda Cup MTB: XC Southridge Park, 92337

Fontana

6-10 Multi

Redlands Bicycle Classic “Where Legends Are Born!”

ROAD: Stage Races Redlands, CA

4 Monday

19 Saturday

World Cycling League Premiere Carson World Cycling League TRACK VELO Sports Center, 90746 Rumble in the Ranchlands Mariposa California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 75 miles / 6250’ Mariposa, CA

Tour of Borrrego Borrego Springs 9 Saturday R&R Cycling Club ROAD: 80, 62, 40, 22 miles

Borrego Springs High School, 92004

Solvang Double Century Solvang 8-10 Multi Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles / 8300’

Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, 93427

Chuck Pontius Road Race Santa Clarita Velo ROAD: 27.5 miles Castaic Lake, 91384 Whiting Ranch Time Trial Non Dot Adventures MTB: 4.5 mile loop Whiting Ranch, 92679

Castaic

Trabuco Canyon

20 Sunday

Chuck Pontius Criterium Santa Clarita Velo GX: 0.9 mile course Santa Clarita, CA

19-20 Multi

21-27 Multi

Reaching for the Cure Run & Ride Irvine Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation ROAD: 50 miles / 35 miles / 15 miles Irvine Valley College, 92618 Solvang Spring Tour Solvang Planet Ultra ROAD: 3 and 7 day supported club-type rides.

Royal Copenhagen Inn, Solvang, CA

32

Santa Clarita

Rumble in the Ranchlands Catheys Valley California Gravel Gauntlet GX: 75 miles / 350’ Catheys Valley, 95306

Glendora

Fresno

LAVRA Monday Night Sprints Carson Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Association TRACK: 250 meters VELO Sports Center, 90746

Redlands

Eroica California Paso Robles Vintage Steel in Central Coast ROAD: Vintage Bicycles Paso Robles Downtown Park US Cup Bonelli XC #3 USA Cycling MTB: XC **UCI HC** Bonelli Park, 93463

San Dimas

IS YOUR EVENT NOT LISTED ?

Event listings are FREE! Visit SOCALBICYCLIST.COM/EVENTS to submit your event.

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

EVENTS

APRIL

Mulholland Double Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles Sheraton Hotel

Tour de Cure San Diego American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 62, 29, 15, 1 miles Del Mar Fairgrounds

Mulholland Challenge Planet Ultra ROAD: 106 miles / 12,700’ Agoura Hills Hotel

10 Sunday

Kenda Cup West - XC #4 Kenda Cup MTB: XC Bonelli Park, 93463

14-17 Multi

Sea Otter Classic Largest bike festival in USA MTB:ROAD:CX:GX Sea Otter Classic

GranFondo San Diego Campagnolo ROAD: 105, 56, 34, 20 miles Little Italy, 92101

2016 Augora Hills

Augora Hills

Del Mar

San Dimas

San Diego

Monterey

APRIL

CALENDAR

23 Saturday

L’Etape California Amgen Tour of California ROAD: 105 miles / 8400’ Thousand Oaks, CA

50 Mile Ride for Rwanda RSM Sho-Air MTB: 50, 25, 10 miles Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688

30 Saturday

Catalina Island Gran Fondo Avalon Sho-Air MTB: Catalina Island, CA

Alpine Challenge Kiwanis Club of Alpine ROAD: 25, 51, 63, 99 miles Summers Past Farms

Dana Point Grand Prix Back on Track Productions ROAD: TBA Dana Point, CA

Thousand Oaks

Women’s Gran Fondo California Girl Series ROAD: 70, 50, 30 miles Belkorp Agriculture

El Cajon

Calistoga

Dana Point

16 Saturday

The Boob Ride Orange County ROAD: 90, 70, 60, 30 miles Irvine Amtrak Station, 92618

Irvine

The Boob Ride San Diego ROAD: 90, 60, 30 miles Solana Beach, 92075

San Diego

Super Sweetwater Occidental Grasshopper Adventure Series ROAD: 70 miles / 9000’ Occidental Community Center, 92026

1 Saturday

Tour de Cure – Ship to Shore Long Beach American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 61, 32, 11, 8 miles Queen Mary, 90802

US Cup @ Sea Otter XC #4 USA Cycling MTB: XC **UCI HC** Sea Otter Classic

2 Monday

7 Saturday

LAVRA Monday Night Sprints Carson Los Angeles Velodrome Racing Association TRACK: 250 meters VELO Sports Center, 90746

May

17 Sunday

LA Circuit Race Back on Track Productions ROAD: TBA Los Angeles Int’l Airport (LAX)

23 Saturday

SuperPro Spring Classic TBD California Gravel Gauntlet GX: TBD TBD

18 Monday

Zion Gran Fondo Planet Ultra ROAD: 77 miles Springdale Town Park

Wildflower Century San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club ROAD: 100, 70, 50 miles Creston, 93432

Los Angeles

Monterey

Springdale, UT

Creston

Aliso & Wood Canyon XC Trabuco Canyon Non Dot Adventures MTB: 9.5, 5.25, 4.5 mile loops Laguna Niguel Regional Park

SoCal RAAM Challenge Race Across America ROAD: 400 and 200 miles Mance Buchanon Park, 92057

Oceanside

SIGNS & SYMBOLS COMPETITION events with posted participants and results ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! SUPPORTERS help us, help you

southern california BICYCLIST #129

33

PROVISIONS

makers

Hermes-Sport

Hand-built wheels made in Southern California

LOOKING TO UPGRADE YOUR WHEELS?

Once you’ve considered cost, here are some attributes to consider: Many wheels can have a surprising amount of flexibility. A high-quality stiff wheel will result in better performance on fast descents and more power transfer while climbing.

Stiffness

A lighter wheel is easier to spin. In addition to the static weight benefit, a lighter wheel also requires less energy to rotate.

Weight Custom-made housings available in special edition colors.

A

lex Webster is the man with the plan at this downtown San Diego wheel-building operation.

Hermes-Sport channels Alex’s passion for cycling into high-performance wheels capable of handling the most challenging SoCal rides. Alex became a player in the local cycling scene while living in the Los Angeles Westside, riding the streets and hills of Santa Monica and frequenting the Encino and Carson Velodromes.

Alex began building wheels at an LA bike shop in ‘06, but after graduating from UCSB, he wanted to build wheels that could deliver on local world-class routes. HermesSport was inspired by Hermes, the speedy messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, offering SoCal-ites wheels built with them in mind. Hermes wheels are built right here in SoCal using high quality parts from the USA and Europe. With a custom lightweight hub-housing, the wheels are designed with the stiffness required for high-performance. Hermes wheels can be found on a number of California custom bikes, as well as in stock on their website and with a select group of retailers.

Learn more by visiting hermes-sport.com

Owner and builder Alex Webster assembles wheels by hand in San Diego, CA.

34

The influence of aerodynamics on wheel performance has come a long way since first popularized in the 1980s. In contrast to the the flat V-shaped rims of old, more complex shapes are now available and can be tailored to the bike’s intended purpose.

Aerodynamics

Hermes-Sport wheels can be found in stock or on select California custom bike makers.

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

CLUBS Club not listed? socalbicyclist.com/clubs

Orange County All-Mountain Trail Riders

meetup.com/allmountaintrailriders

3F Bicycling Club 3fbc.com

Off-Road Off-Road

Beach Cities Women Cyclists bcwcyclists.wix.com/bcwc

Road

Beach Area Recumbent Riders Road bikeroute.com/RecumbentRides.htm Bicycle Club of Irvine bikeirvine.org

Road

Canyon Velo

canyonvelo.org

Mixed

Ciclistas Capistrano Bicycle Club ciclistascapistrano.com

Road

Cycles Veloce cyclesveloce.com

Road

OCrider.com ocrider.com

Mixed

Orange Coast ocvelo.com

Road

Orange County Rebel Riders ocrebels.com

Road

Orange County Wheelmen ocw.org

Mixed

Rock n’ Road Divas

rocknroadcyclery.net

Mixed

SHARE

sharemtb.com

Off-Road

Supercolony supercolony.cc

Road

Team Velo Sport

teamvelosport.com The Warrior’s Society warriorssociety.org

directory

Southern California Clubs

Racing Opportunity Advocacy

Mixed

Off-Road

Trail Angels trailangels.com

Off-Road

TRU Cycling

trucycling.org

Mixed

Veloce Santiago velocesantiago.com

Road

VeloViet veloviet.com

Mixed

Los Angeles Beach Cities Cycling Club bccclub.org CORBA

corbamtb.com

Road Off-Road

Covina Cycle Club meetup.com/Covina-Cycle-Club

Road

Cyclone Coaster cyclonecoaster.com

Road

Different Spokes (LGBT) differentspokes.com

Mixed

Fire Velo firevelo.com

Road

Girlz Gone Riding girlzgoneriding.com

Off-Road

Ramona Fun Riders ramonafunriders.com

Mixed

Ranchos Cycling Club ranchoscycling.org

Mixed

Grand Masters Cycling grandmasterscycling.org

Road

Lightning Velo

lightningvelo.org

Road Ride with Javi ridewithjavi.com

Los Angeles Wheelmen lawheelmen.org

Road

San Diego Bicycle Club sdbc.org

Major Motion Cycling Club majormotioncycling.com

Road

San Diego Bicycle Touring Society Road efgh.com/sdbts

Marina del Rey Cycle Club mdrcc.org

Road

San Diego Cyclo-Vets cyclo-vets.org

Road

San Diego Wheelmen sandiegowheelmen.com

Road

Swami’s Cycle Club swamis.org

Road

Over the Bars otbmbc.com

Off-Road

Palos Verdes Bicycle Club pvbikeclub.net

Road

Pasadena Athletic Association paacycling.net

Mixed

Pasadena Mountain Bike Club Off-Road pmbc.org San Fernando Valley Bicycle Club Road sfvbc.org Santa Clarita Velo

santaclaritavelo.org

Road

SCOR bikescor.com

Road

South Bay Wheelman sbwheelmen.org

Velo Allegro Cycling Club veloallegro.org Velo Club La Grange lagrange.org

West L.A. Cycling Club wlacyclingclub.com

San Diego Bike Buddies bikebuddies.org Blind Stokers Club blindstokersclub.org Celo Pacific

celopacific.org Girlz Gone Riding girlzgoneriding.com Major Taylor Cycling Club mtccsd.org Mountain Bike Assistance Unit cuyamacasp.org

Road

Mixed Mixed

Road Road

Road

Team Green (Vegan) officialteamgreen.com

Mixed

Valle Verde Velo vvvelo.com

Road

Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside Big Bear Cycling Association bigbearcycling.com

Mixed

Butts on Bikes Inland Empire bobie.org

Road

Channel Islands Bicycle Club cibike.org

Road

Conejo Valley Cyclists cvcbike.org

Mixed

Cycling Connection cyclingconnection.org

Road

Desert Bicycle Club cycleclub.com

Road

Girlz Gone Riding Road girlzgoneriding.com

Off-Road

Road

Road Mixed

North Ranch Mountain Bikers Off-Road nrmbc.org Project HERO Ventura socalbicyclist.com/projecthero

Road

Off-Road

Redlands Water Bottle Transit Co. Road rwbtc.org

O ff-Road

Riverside Bicycle Club riversidebicycleclub.com

Ride Yourself Fit Road rideyourselffit.org

North Coast Velo northcoastvelo.com

Road

North County Cruisers northcountycruisers.org

Road

North County Cycle Club northcountycycleclub.com

Recyclers sdrecyclers.org

Mixed

Road Mixed

San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club slobc.org

Road

Tailwinds Bicycle Club tailwindsofsantamariabc.org

Road

Temecula Velo temeculavelo.com

southern california BICYCLIST #129

Mixed

35

PROVISIONS

Marketplace

Help Us Help You Support small business

Hand-built Competition Wheels San Diego, CA

mountain bike components Laguna Beach, CA

Handmade Bicycles San Pedro, CA

Bike Care Products

Available at Santiago Cycles 36

hermes-sport.com

crankbrothers.com Forze Socks

Los Angeles, CA

jeromecycles.com BAGS & PANNIERS Available Online

twowheelgear.com

muc-off.com

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   

REGULARS

Weight training for cycling

CROSSWORD

Based on the book by Chris Burnham

don’t coincide with the training plans for professionals. Chris Burnham, in his new book, “Weight Training for Cycling” (2015), promotes a training plan for cycling enthusiasts looking for optimal health.

This guide reviews the processes within the body that occur in training and recovery, and explains how to build your own program to make the most of your exercises.

THE GOALS OF MOST CYCLISTS

Across 4. General warm-up is done to increase body _________ 7. Master cyclists have been shown to have lower ______ density than non-athletes.

9. A balanced post-workout meal is important for ________ 12. This phase of weight training utilizes lighter weight for developing skills 16. Maintains a neutral spine while extremities apply forces against resistance 17. Instead of static stretching, _______ work should be done prior to a workout 19. Estimated Post Oxygen Consumption is most affected by workout _______ 20. Exercises consisting of quick movements with maximal muscle contractions 21. How quickly an exercise is performed 24. The gradual loss of muscle mass and function with aging

Down 1. Increasing strength beyond torques used for cycling results in less ________ while riding 2. On a big training day, weight lifting should be done _____ endurance training 3. This formula can be used to determine your one-rep max 5. Spinal discs go through this process during sleep 6. Cycling is a form of _________ muscle contraction 8. Front squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups are done during the _______ phase of weight training 10. A pre-workout meal should be high in protein and ___________

COMPLETE TO WIN

Want to win a Two Wheel Gear 2.0 Classic Pannier?

Complete the crossword puzzle and email us your answers. If all your answers are correct, you’ll be entered into our drawing. One winner will be randomly chosen and announced in issue #132 of SCB. To be considered, your entry MUST be received by April 15, 2016.

To be considered, all entries must include your name, email address, phone number, and city of residence.

Send completed entries to cw@socalbicyclist.com.

For complete rules, visit socalbicyclist.com/twg

11. Weight training should _______ cycling workouts, not impair them 13. The number of times a specific exercise is performed without rest 14. ________ release is a technique of applying gently pressure to connective tissue and lining of muscles 15. All exercises are followed by a ______ period 18. Proper _______ is important in maintaining blood pressure and purging CO2 during an exercise 22. Exposure to this causes blood to flow deep into muscle tissue, helping it to re-synthesize 23. Performing one specific exercise a specific number of times without rest.

southern california BICYCLIST #129

37

REGULARS

last page

“How Fast Can You Take Your Time, Kid?”

By Victor Prestinary

ment the principles of DE into your routine. Think about everything that you need for your ride: where equipment is located, which rooms you will have to navigate, and how you will go about getting everything together. If you’re super organized, you may have everything all in one place next to your bike, unlike the rest of us! But even if you’re Visit socalbicyclist.com/gvs blessed with the orderliness gene, to view “The Discipline of DE”, you may still find yourself fumbling a short film by Gus Van Sant. around like a half-asleep toddler.

Get yourself into the mentality that arly in his directing career, every single movement and expenGus Van Sant created a diture of energy should be used in short film, “The Discipline of the most efficient way possible.

Do Easy,” based on a story by Wil- Grace is efficient: An example liam S. Burroughs in his collection Let’s go through an example: getof short stories entitled “Extermina- ting on the bike, a simple act that tor!”. It is an enlightening film that can quickly turn ugly if the rider examines the surprising complexity is distracted. When you have your of everyday actions and how to go shoes and kit on, and are ready to about performing them in the most go, stand next to your bike holding successful way possible. “Do Easy,” the seat and handlebars. You might or DE, is the simple principle of ac- be tempted to start moving your complishing tasks in a relaxed man- feet around to get a better position, ner which also is the most efficient. or shift your hands while swinging

View the film

E

The Discipline of Do Easy

your leg around and over the seat.

Don’t move though, just look at all the parts of the bike and down at your legs. Do the movements in your head and think about the most perfect, fluid, one-motion way of swinging your leg around the back of the seat onto the pedal. Adjust your hands so that they will land on the bars in perfect alignment at the same time. It doesn’t have to be done at great speed; in fact, the slower the better. Moving more thoughtfully allows you to properly make sure your weight is properly balanced. The goal is to completely avoid haphazard movements.

You will use nearly every one of the hundreds of muscles in the human body for this action. The more you pay attention to the way your body moves in relation to itself, you’ll see that you have more conThe discipline applied to bicycles From the moment you begin prep- trol over your movements than you ping for a bike ride, you can imple- may have previously thought.

Although some of us find the idea of clearing a table with high efficiency as a bit of overkill, Van Sant shows how sloppily we actually go about our daily activities. With DE, you must plan your moves, and approach every action in a creative and controlled manner. Try walking across a room in as few steps as possible, or move an item to another location without fumbling or knocking into something else. These mundane actions wouldn’t seem to benefit from close attention. But, by being wholly in the moment and thinking about every detail of a task (down to the way you twist your leg going around a corner), you can more easily monitor your actions when doing something important like riding your bike!

38

The Margins Count

You may think that getting on and off the bike is quite easy, and very little can be gained from doing it perfectly, but once on the bike, small margins begin to matter. A 5% increase in speed is nothing to be scoffed at, and many people will upgrade their entire bike, chasing performance gains. But, if you’ve been reading the last couple issues of SCB, Damon Roberson has gone to great lengths to detail proper form and the cranking positions that allow you to pedal stronger. In essence, perfect cycling technique is a form of DE.

Extraordinarily Efficient

By finding your most efficient riding style, you will use your energy effectively, and enable your efforts to better achieve your goal: optimal motion. The most important point to take away from the principle of DE is that everyone has the ability to accomplish seemingly ordinary tasks in an extraordinary manner. Although the film, “The Discipline of Do Easy,” goes through some admittedly satirical examples, using this way of thinking with mundane actions can lead to a more thoughtful engagement when on the bike. Essentially, do your absolute best to understand, in a detailed sense, everything that is required to complete performance movements.

Next issue

Available in Print march 2016

#130

FOOD & DRINK

SoCal’s best places for bikes

HAIBIKE XOURO RX 29 MTB the e-Bike that will race sea otter Don’t Miss A Single Issue

Print subscriptions available at scbmag.

socalbicyclist.com @socalbicyclist   