Four local bands release new albums. The Brook Lee Catastrophe, Tijuana Panthers, The Fling, and Delta Spirit.

Click on the postage stamp on the right to view the poster.

Free bike valet courtesy of Long Beach Cyclists.

It’s summer and the weather’s great. Get out on your wheels!

Whether one is young or old or in between, and whether one is in great shape, not in great shape, or somewhere in between… now is the perfect time for a bike ride.

No Exit cartoons are reprinted at longbeachcyclists.com with permission. All Andy Singer / No Exit cartoons are copyright 1992-2010 by Andrew B. Singer. To see more of Andy Singer’s humorous, insightful work, visit www.andysinger.com.

We are very pleased that the entire city council is supportive of bicycle-friendly initiatives. The following three photos feature Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal. We wish everyone would opt to cycle often—especially for local activities.

In the first image, (taken by Diandra Jay of the Press-Telegram, dated June 5, 2009), we see Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal and other cyclists during a ‘First Fridays’ event. Suja rides her orange-colored beach cruiser—a fun bicycle for slow, easy, local riding. A cruiser can be a happy choice for stopping at local cafés… riding along the beach path… going to the library.

In the second image, (taken by GarySe7en, dated April 5, 2009), we again see Suja Lowenthal, this time riding a tricycle. It’s night time and Suja’s trike doesn’t have a headlight. Yikes! Yet if your knees can take it, we see that a child’s trike can be a delightful way to go. Perhaps not the most comfortable or efficient vehicle if you’re heading to the top of Signal Hill.

In the third image, (taken at Jax Bicycles, dated July 6, 2010), we see Suja (and Jax employee Holley Limpach, and LBC president Bernadette McKeever). Suja has selected a new hybrid bicycle—part racer, part urban friendly. Suja’s Trek is relatively lightweight, it has comfortable handlebars, it has upright geometry, and it has plenty of gears. A bicycle of this type feels sprite and nimble. Suja may soon be seen cycling to all corners of Long Beach with her new bike… and, who knows, she may even cycle to the park at the top of Signal Hill.

Might there be yet other types of bicycles in Suja’s future? We’re not going to encourage her to fill ALL the rooms in her house with bicycles… although perhaps this is just the beginning. There are many, many types and models of bicycles out there nowadays, each with its own riding characteristics and personality.

Which types of bicycles do you suppose YOU will be riding in YOUR future?

Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is taught by instructors (LCI’s) who are certified by the League of American Bicyclists. The course at CSULB Pyramid Annex is free, but advance registration is required. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclsts.com page for more information and to link to the CSULB web site to register.

This will be will be the last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 in Long Beach this summer.

By the way, the photograph was lifted from the cover of the Smart Cycling pamphlet of the League of American Bicyclists. Given that the League is based in Washington, D.C., can you identify which building we see in the background? And… can you identify who is the LCI in the photo? Hint, he is well known in the Long Beach cycling community.

We first meet up at Portfolio Coffeehouse (Junipero and Fourth), and depart at 9:45 am.

And another option, because it’s fun to be two places at once:

Each first Sunday of the month, friends riding vintage bikes and other bikes with character meet up at Portfolio Coffeehouse (Junipero at Fourth). At 10:30 a.m., the HUGE Cyclone Coaster group will depart from Portfolio for an easy-paced local ride, all wearing Cyclone Coaster t-shirts.

Click www.cyclonecoaster.com for more information, including details about the July 4th Cyclone Coaster BBQ at Bixby Park.

The next time you cycle along PCH south of Long Beach, say hello to our friends Dominic and Jenny at Out-Spoke-N Cycles.

Out-Spoke-N is a new bike shop. July 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th is the grand opening. Hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Out-Spoke-N will give away one great prize to somebody each of the four opening days.

Out-Spoke-N is located in Sunset Beach (technically it is in Huntington Beach), along PCH near Anderson/24th Street. Address: 16400 Pacific Coast Highway, Suites 100-101. That’s about half way between Long Beach and the Huntington Beach pier. You can also reach Out-Spoke-N on Facebook.

July 3rd, 5-9 pm., Americana roots and blues music will be happening on Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach.

Show up on your bicycle, because Long Beach Cyclists will provide free bike valet service.

For more information, click SAMS.

Monthly ‘First Friday’ art walks in Bixby Knolls make for a great evening strolling and cycling destination. July 2nd, Jenny will do a 45-minute set. Michelle Mangione will also perform. The program starts at 8:00 pm at The Mirage. Click on the poster on the left for more details.

Summer evenings are perfect for cycling from home, but however you get to Bixby Knolls, you won’t want to miss hearing Jenny’s voice and guitar.

‘First Friday’ evening activities take place along Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls. The Mirage is located along Bixby near Atlantic.