by Lee Tracy
“Where are you guys going?” asked the lycra-clad road cyclist as the Cyclone Coaster bicycle riders pedaled through Belmont Shore side streets.
“Everywhere,” replied a cap-clad cyclist riding a vintage bicycle.
And while we didn’t go literally everywhere, we went around a lot of Long Beach, and in style.
Every month, Long Beach Cyclists has a great ride, and this month was no exception. We teamed up with the Cyclone Coaster for their first annual Mustache and Tweed Ride. Around 100 cyclists, many with classic vintage bicycles, enjoyed the beautiful sunny day.
The ride started, as so many good things in Long Beach do, with good coffee, and great company, at Portfolios.
One reason that folks come from far and wide to the Coaster rides, which happen the first Sunday of each month, is to enjoy the huge array of classic bicycles—many pre-World War II in vintage.
Fittingly, the Ride began by cycling down to 1st, and then heading East through Bluff Park, passing houses as old as many of the bicycles.
One needn’t dress to the nines to enjoy a good bicycle ride—you can wear most any clothing and cycle— but on a Mustache and Tweed ride, we’re reminded how perfectly well-dressed ladies and gentlemen and cycling go together.
After riding through the backstreets of Belmont Shore, we headed down the Long Beach Bike path, where the dozens and dozens of cyclists formed a winding snake that slithered down the beach.
By the Belmont Pier we took a break and enjoyed the scenery and conversation.
Back on the bike path, we encountered a section still flooded from the previous day’s thunderstorm—the brave souls pedaled through, while the rest of us rode around it.
Not all the riders were human—two dogs accompanied their human companions on the ride. This one had the best eyewear on the ride. By far. Dogs love going along on bike rides – it’s easy to train them to ride in a basket, backpack or trailer.
At last, we arrived at the Rainbow Harbor lighthouse.
The lighthouse was a perfect place for a break, with gorgeous views of the Queen Mary and the downtown Long Beach skyline.
At last, we found ourselves at the Pike in Alamitos Beach, where many riders enjoyed a great lunch to end the ride. Every month’s Long Beach Cyclist’s ride is a new adventure, and you never know where you’ll end up. But rest assured, you’ll have lots of fun with great people.
You can see more photos of the February 2010 Tweed Ride in Long Beach, California, organized by Long Beach Cyclists and Cyclone Coaster. Check out the photos by Lee Tracy posted at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshiyahu262/.
Also, check out the photos by Michael Bos at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46493017@N04/4342352351/in/set-72157623261435211/
