One thing I love about bicycling is the people I get to meet.
Granted, there are some jerks on two wheels, just like there are on four. But since I’ve been active in the cycling community, I’ve been privileged to meet some of the most friendly, caring and committed people Southern California has to offer.
And Carlos Morales, founder of the Eastside Bike Club, certainly fits that description.
If it wasn’t for this blog, and our mutual involvement in the LAPD bike task force, I probably never would have met Carlos. We live and ride in different parts of town, and it’s unlikely our paths would have crossed.
Which means I never would have discovered just how big a heart he has. Or heard his story of how taking up bicycling helped him lose 200 pounds, saving his own life and making him a respected leader in the cycling community.
And not just on the Eastside.
Today, he’s a Committee Member of the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure, the annual bike ride that raises funds for diabetes research.
And the proud new owner, along with his friend of over 20 years, Leonids “Leo” Jurkevics, of Stan’s Bike Shop in Monrovia, founded by Stan Pitts, a fellow Tour de Cure Committee Member, in 2000.
According to a press release issued by the new owners,
Morales and Jurkevics plan to continue what Pitts has started in Monrovia, and evolve “Stan’s Bike Shop” to the next level, by not only providing quality service to this community, but also provide educational seminars and training on safe riding. Other changes include; a larger variety of bikes, including City Cruisers, BMX, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, Single Speed Bikes, Hybrid Bikes and Trikes. The repair shop has been moved and provides easier accessibility to our clients bringing in their bikes in for repairs. A Pro Shop will be established within the store, that will be separate from the family cruiser and kids bikes. Other plans include, building a Women’s Cycling Apparel section. Morales stated, “There are more female cyclist taking on this sport and until now they have had very limited choices for cycling apparel. Our shop will offer women an alternative to unisex clothing, women want to look good while riding, and we will provide attractive and affordable choices.”
The shop will host its Grand Opening today at 880 S. Myrtle Ave in Monrovia, with a ribbon cutting at 11 am, and a visit from Santa Clause from 11 am to 1 pm. In addition, raffles will be held throughout the day, along with sales on bikes, jerseys and shorts 30% off, and helmets on sale for 25% off.
I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area. And it’s worth a trip if you’re not.
After all, we can’t have too many good bike shops, or good people running them.
And knowing Carlos, I have a feeling this will be one of the best.
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Bike Talk airs every Saturday at 10 am; listen to it live or download the podcast from KPFK.
Bike Long Beach hosts Bike Saturdays every weekend; ride your bike to participating local shops and business throughout the city to get special offers and discounts.
A new support group is forming for people who have been involved in a bicycle collision. Everyone is welcome to share your experiences, gain insight and understanding into your emotional state and develop new coping strategies. The group will meet Saturdays from 11:30 am to 1 pm at 6310 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 401. Current LACBC members receive a discount. To learn more, contact Aurisha Smolarski at 323/203-1526 or email aurisha.smolarski@gmail.com.
When’s the last time a cycling world championship came to Los Angeles? That’s what you’ll find when the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships unfolds this Saturday and Sunday, December 1st and 2nd, at the Los Angeles Historic State Park. The championship unfolds in conjunction with the SoCal Cross UCI CXLA Weekend: Cross After Dark Finale.
Flying Pigeon hosts their monthly Brewery Ride on Saturday, December 1st. Riders meet at the Flying Pigeon LA Bike Shop, 3404 N. Figueroa St, at 3 pm, ride to a local brewery or beer-centric pub and back by 5:45. That will be followed by the Spoke(n) Art Ride on Saturday, December 8th, and the Get Sum Dim Sum Ride on Sunday, December 16th.
Few things go together better than bikes and beer, which is what you’ll get with the Stone Brewing Company Brewcyclers Ride on Saturday, December 1st. Riders will meet at Stone Brewing, 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido at 8:30 am, departing at 9 am sharp on a 20 mile roundtrip loop.
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s Tour de Taste: Holiday Edition is scheduled for Sunday, December 2nd, offering a unique combination of bikes and great food. The day starts with a guided bike ride from Culver City to Marina del Rey on the Ballona Creek bike path, followed by some of the best food Culver City has to offer. Registration begins at 9 am at Culver Town Center near the Culver Hotel; just $20 for LACBC members and $30 for non-members, with a discounted membership and registration for $55. This is one you don’t want to miss; the event will go on rain or shine.
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s Civic Engagement Committee meets at 6:45 pm on Wednesday, December 5th at Johnnie’s Pizza at Museum Square, 5757 Wilshire Blvd. This month’s meeting will focus on finalizing questionnaires for L.A. Mayor and City Council candidates in the March election, as well as a possible debate for Mayor and candidate forums for City Council candidates. Email bikinginla at hotmail dot com with questions or to be added to the email list.
The LACBC is hosting Ride Lankershim for a people-friendly North Hollywood on Saturday, December 8th to support bike improvements on Lankershim Blvd called for in the 2010 L.A. bike plan. Riders meet at Metropolis Bikes, 4660 Lankershim Blvd at 10 am.
The first Santa Monica Family Bike Fest will be held from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, December 8th at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street. The free event will feature a bike swap, skills training, test rides, route planning, information and food.
The international ARTCRANK exhibition comes to Los Angeles from 6 to 11 pm on Saturday, July 8th, at Orange 20 Bikes, 4351 Melrose. The free exhibition will feature bike-inspired posters hand-made by 31 SoCal artists, with signed copies available for sale for just $40 each. In addition, craft beers by Widmer Brothers Brewing will be available, with the proceeds going to benefit LA Streetsblog.
The first phase of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk opens to the public with a special ceremony at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 12th
CORBA (the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association) invites riders to meet at the Hub in Topanga State Park on Saturday, December 15th (postponed from November 17th due to rain) to celebrate their 25th anniversary and show that mountain bikers can co-exist with others on off-road trails. Riders will meet at 10 am, with a group photo and cash prizes starting at 10:30.
You’re invited to celebrate the engagement, and sadly, the impending departure of long-time L.A. bike advocate, creek freak and artist Joe Linton on Sunday, December 16th at Eco-Village, 117 Bimini Place. The party to honor Joe and fiancé Carrie Lincourt will start with a 1:30 pm with a bike ride to the L.A. River, followed by a party from 4 to 7 pm; the suggested $5 donation will benefit LA Streetsblog.
Also on the 16th, Brewcyclers will host their Bruery Holiday Lights Ride from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. The ride begins at the Bruery, 715 Dunn Way in Placentia, followed by a 10-mile route to take in the holiday lights, and returns to the Bruery for a little holiday cheer.
The High Desert Cyclists will hold their Christmas party on Monday, December 17th at the Texas Cattle Company, 44206 10th Street West in Lancaster. You can buy a $40 raffle ticket for a chance to win a $600 Bicycle John’s gift certificate; the raffle ticket includes a free one year family membership to the HDC.
Registration is now open for a six-day ride through San Diego and Riverside Counties between the holidays. The HI-USA Christmas Trip, which has rolled every year since the mid-1950s, starts in San Diego on December 26th and returns on December 31st, with five overnights in between. Total mileage runs between 360 and 400 miles, with terrain ranging from urban to rural, mountains to desert. Thanks to Marvin Davis for the heads-up.
Brewcyclers is planning a post New Years Ride at L.A.’s Golden Road Brewing on Saturday, January 5th; the 30 – 40 mile ride assembles at Golden Road Brewing, 5430 San Fernando Road West, starting at 8 am, with a 9 am departure, and returning to Golden Road around 3 pm.
C.I.C.L.E. is hosting a Tweed, Moxie and Moustaches Ride on Saturday, January 19th. The ride departs from 200 Westpark Drive in North Hollywood at 10 am, returning at 1:30 pm, with stops at SPARC’s Great Wall of Los Angeles and KPFK.
Make your plans for the Malibu 7-Canyon Ride on Saturday, March 23rd with rides of 100 mile, 100 kilometers and 50 miles. The fully supported ride will begin at Zuma Beach, and pass through Latigo, Encinal, Decker, Mulholland, Little Sycamore, Yerba Buena and Deer Creek Canyons, with over 9,000 feet of climbing on the century ride. The first 200 people to register before November 15th will get a 15% discount; enter the code First200 on the registration page.
