Cycling in Long Beach—Check out the calendar!

Long Beach Cyclists First Board Meeting & Election — Tuesday, March 9th
Ladies Night at Jax — Wednesday, March 10th

Many things related to cycling are happening these days. Click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com page to help plan your week. Rides. Meetings. Places to go for fun. Areas where you can pitch in.

The first official Long Beach Cyclists board meeting and election will be held March 9th. We are taking steps to complete our transition to tax-exempt, nonprofit corporate status.

Ladies Night at Jax Bicycles (March 10th) includes free workshops, and perhaps some wine and cheese. Life is good!

The folks who organized the recent Metro Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Audit invite you to look at the audit summary, provide feedback and give additional input. Meet them at Sipology on March 17th.

Participants in the ‘Bike-Camp-Train’ ride around San Luis Obispo are making preparations this week. And Long Beach Cyclists will do a ‘Fools Ride’ under the full moon at the end of the month.

CSULB Cyclists and Pedal Movement organize rides weekly. Meeting dates are also posted on the calendar. Allan leads a monthly Port Tour ride, and Cyclone Coaster does a monthly vintage ride. Local restaurants offer monthly discounts for cyclists on first fridays. The H.U.B. (the bike-repair cooperative and community space run by Pedal Movement) is getting ready for its grand opening; now is a great time to help. Race practices for beginners and advanced cyclists take place weekly at Douglas Park and at El Dorado Park. The Los Angeles Bike Summit is scheduled for the March 20th weekend. Preparations are underway for the Long Beach Bike Fest and for Bike-to-Work Day, both scheduled for May.

And more!  Bike polo, sprints, fixies. Lightning Velo and Velo Allegro rides. What else?  Pitch in. Join us. Get YOUR event listed on the calendar. Happy cycling!

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LBCyclists, March 4th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Advocacy, Current News, Event, Rides

Dancing and Mardi Gras spirit in Long Beach

Folks danced and cyclists riding beautiful vintage bicycles got in to the Mardi Gras spirit, thanks to the fantastic cadence of the Jordan High School drum corps. We tapped our feet and rocked out.

Lee Tracy took this great shot of Bernard and Karen of Cyclone Coaster. They both enjoy lindy hop and other early dance styles.

While there were plenty of vintage bicycles, several of us from Long Beach Cyclists with newer bicycles joined in the fun as well. The air was filled with twinkling bike bells, a-hooo-gah horns and much laughter.

The recent afternoon Mardi Gras sidewalk parade started near the Aquarium and, to the delight of all onlookers, danced its way to Parker’s Lighthouse. It was a noisy, happy hour of fun. Belly dancers, music, umbrellas, raz and ma-taz, echoes of Brazilian carnaval and tastes of New Orleans.

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LBCyclists, February 25th 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Event

Cycling Long Beach in Style—The Tweed Ride

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/

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LBCyclists, February 13th 2010 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Featured, Rides

Long Beach Cyclists February Ride—Tweeds, Feb 7

Sunday, February 7, at 10:00 am, Long Beach Cyclists joins Cyclone Coaster for a Tweed Ride. This means we will share a fun, slow-paced ride with cycling friends. Cyclone Coasters mostly drive vintage bicycles—the Tweed Ride will be quite a show!  You’ll want to be dressed in your tweeds, wool knickers and old-fashioned best. But dressed up or not, and driving a vintage bicycle or not, show up ready for fun. We will meet at Portfolio Coffee House on Fourth at Junipero, and we will depart at 10:30 sharp, bicycle bells ringing.

Trophies will be awarded for Best Tweed Garb-and-Bike Combo, for Best Beard, for Best Mustache, and for Most Creative Undergarments.

Click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com web page and scroll to the February 7th entry of the calendar to see a map of how to get to Portfolio. You can find the Tweed Ride blog page at: http://lbtweedride.blogspot.com/

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LBCyclists, February 1st 2010 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Event, Rides

Long Beach Cyclists Historical Ride and Picnic

Day trips on bicycle are easy and fun. Recently, Bernadette coordinated the recent ‘historical highlights’ tour and picnic. Travis dubbed it the P.A.L.B.I.F. Ride—(pack a lunch because it’s fun). We met up at Portfolio Coffee House on Junipero and Fourth.

The Drake Park neighborhood (Willmore City Historic District) is one of the oldest in Long Beach.

Docents from Long Beach Heritage awaited us at the Bembridge House near Drake Park. The Bembridge House was built in the early 1900s.

We made sure we didn’t scuff up the old, restored wooden floors.

A typewriter of sorts, that only types numbers.

Carlos is a cyclist and a pianist. He was given permission to play a tune on the old piano.

After the Bembridge House tour, we cycled north along the LA River trail. In places the river is very pretty. Decades ago, before levies were built to make the Los Angeles River run straight, all lowland areas were subject to seasonal flooding. The Bembridge House and other houses in Drake Park were built on high ground. The Bembridge House looked out over lowland areas that were considered ‘mud flats.’  Areas that were once ‘mud flats’ are now residential neighborhoods.

We get a great view of the Metro Blue Line as it crosses the river.

The river also includes a beautiful area where water can soak into the earth, to replenish our aquafers. You can see egrets, ducks and other wildlife here.

We enjoyed a rest, and picnic lunch, in a small park just off the river bike trail.

Many Long Beach Cyclists rides are for the entire family.

We cycled to Rancho Los Cerritos, which goes back to the first half of the 1800s—long before this area became known as Long Beach. You will want to visit Rancho Los Cerritos to learn about early California history. There were no bicycles in the early days… and of course no motor vehicles. Imagine how nice and quiet it was around here. 

Rancho Los Cerritos was home to various families over many, many decades. Can we guess when this horse-shaped tricycle was new?  Note that one operated this tricycle by hand, not with one’s legs. The hand pedals connect to a chain that runs to the rear axle.

A group photo in the Rancho Los Cerritos garden.

Long Beach Cyclists organizes or participates in group rides and other fun events throughout the year. Click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com web page to see our calendar of upcoming activities.

If you wish to see more photos of the Historic Highlights Ride and Picnic, which took place on January 10, 2010, additional photos by Michael Bos and Jacob Dickinson have been posted on Flickr. For Bos’ photos, go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46493017@N04/sets/72157623267925108/

Additional photos by ride participant Jacob Dickinson are now posted at:

http://flickr.com/gp/jjldickinson/m2g76j

Happy cycling, Michael Bos / lbcyclists@gmail.com

3 Comments

MichaelB, January 23rd 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Featured, Rides

Rental Bike

I bet it functions 10 times better than the hybrid Raleigh I rented in Portland.

roberts-rental

Check out the story behind this bike.  Thank Ecovelo!

http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/12/22/rental-bike/

1 Comment

bmckeever, December 23rd 2009 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Bicycle equipment/gear

Tweed yes, Spandex… not yet

Oh my golly, if you haven’t yet seen photos of the recent Tweed, Moxie and Mustache Ride hosted by C.I.C.L.E., check out the slide show at http://www.flickr.com/groups/latweed/pool/show/.

P1090132 copy

Here we see Bernard with his pipe, front and center. A happy group of well-dressed cycle dandies met up at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles for a yesteryear moment.

They then cycled along bustling downtown streets, crossed bridges, stopped here and there… exploring and celebrating many interesting nooks and crannies of our amazing city.

 

 

 

 

0911 Tweed Bernard dances

 

And in this photo, well… we can see that Tweed-sters not only love cycling… they also love to shuffle their feet.

Bernard of Cyclone Coasters participates in monthly vintage bicycle rides here in Long Beach. Click on EVENTS at the top of the page, and scroll the calendar to see about the next vintage ride. All cyclists are welcome… including YOU. Cycle Coasters meet at Portfolio Coffeehouse on Junipero and Fourth the first Sunday of each month, and do fun, leisurely rides from there.

 

 

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MichaelB, December 15th 2009 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Event, Rides

LB Cyclist Profile: Bernard!

Today, Bernard (LB Cyclone Coaster Founder www.cyclonecoaster.com) is off to…

The Tweed, Moxie & Mustache Ride!

IMG00360-20091121-1110low res Tweed Ride

A reunion of wool, bare knees, slanted caps and facial hair – the Tweed, Moxie & Mustache Ride awaits you on Saturday, November 21st, hosted by C.I.C.L.E. Chaps and dames will enjoy this cheeky ride through the Art Deco highlights of Downtown Los Angeles.

Uniting at Union Station as the those in the 1920’s would have, we will ride in our finest garb through the oldest streets of our fine city and arrive at Royal Claytons English Pub, a gin mill of sorts, to have some whoopee and award prizes to our contest superlatives.

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bmckeever, November 21st 2009 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Event, Featured, Rides

Upcoming events

There are many events and rides planned for this month and months to come. To see our calendar, click on EVENTS at the top of this page. There, you can read more details and click open a map for each event.

Monday, November 16:  Meet cyclists from Pedal Movement at the Catalyst Space on First near Linden, 5:00-7:00 pm. Pedal Movement people recently taught bicycle maintenance to a Boy Scout troop. That same night, there’s also a developer meeting held at Wilson High School. And every Monday you can watch polo for cyclists (Monday Night Murderball) at Whaley Park, perhaps even join the team… the Long Beach Knights. Click on the EVENTS calendar for specifics.

Tuesdays:  Pedal Movement organizes GFunk Tuesdays, for a medium-to-fast ride that starts at the In-n-Out near the Traffic Circle, departing a few minutes after 8:00 pm. And there are Tune-Up Tuesdays—the seeds of what might become a bicycle maintenance cooperative?—meeting at Ferns on Fourth Street.

Wednesdays:  CSULBCyclists does a weekly ride starting at the Pyramid at 9:oo pm.

Thursday, November 19:  Jeff Mapes, author of Pedaling Revolution, will be in town, meeting with the public at three venues, as mentioned in the previous article, and as outlined in the EVENTS calendar.

First Fridays:  Support local bike-friendly businesses. Many offer special deals for cyclists on the first Friday of each month.

First Sundays:  Cyclone Coaster rides (vintage bicycles riding a leisurely pace) depart Portfolio Café the first Sunday of each month.

And there are ongoing Traffic Skills classes. And you can assist in LBC advocacy work. And Metro Access Audits will take place on December 5th and 12th—Saturdays. And more!

Again, click on the EVENTS calendar to get to maps, start and end times, and other details.

Mapes PdlngRvltn 19Nov poster

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MichaelB, November 11th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Advocacy, Education, Rides

Vintage Bicyclists Flock to LB

090802 CycloneC Portfolio 483 

Long Beach is a happening place for many types of cyclists. A popular place to see some interesting bicycles is at Portfolio Coffeehouse, on Fourth Street at Junipero. (hoo-nee-pe-raw)


090802 CycloneC Portfolio 481b


Members of Long Beach Cyclists have stopped at Portfolio on their way to other places many times. One of the Car-Free Friday events (the one with Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal) was staged there. And the Cyclone Coaster bicycle club meets there each month.



090802 CycloneC blue 472b


At a Cyclone Coaster gathering, you’ll see retro bicycles that are old and rusty, and others that are prettier now than the day they were built.



090802 CycloneC red 492b


Most retro bicycles aren’t geared for climbing Signal Hill, but they can be a dream to drive through the flatter stretches of Long Beach.



090802 CycloneC depart 491b


The purpose of getting together is to set out on yet another ride. Where will these old bicycles be driven today?



090802 CycloneC depart 494b


During the Cyclone Coaster ride earlier this month, two or three dozen cyclists first headed south towards Bixby Park. Where did they go from there?  You could join them on their next ride. The Cyclone Coaster club isn’t about racing down the street. It’s about taking your time—enjoying city streets that are made to order for gentle pedaling. And it’s about getting some of the folks they pass to turn heads, to look back with a smile, saying, “Wow!  What pretty bicycles!“


Check out the Cyclone Coaster web page to find out where and when they’ll be riding next. You can e-mail the club at cyclone.coaster@yahoo.com.

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ddougherty, August 13th 2009 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Featured
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