socalbicyclist.com
Issue 136
S oCal
&
Be yond
FREE
also
fresh tracks
racing bikes in city parks
We put the Garneau Steeple XC Performance through its paces and preview the local cyclocross rides happening near you.
five by five Museums and Bicycles: perfect pairing The Route River Mountains Loop Trail, Nevada Preview Interbike and CrossVegas last page cyclist vs. pedestrian: who wins?
Guiding and Inspiring bicycle riding for sport, Recreation and transportation since 1994
Inside this issue
Contents
issue 136/2016 Designed and printed in the United States.
Regulars 06 Ask the Bike Fitter What’s the difference between bike sizing and bike fitting?
07 Electric Age
10 Questions to Consider for Interbike.
08 The Route
River Mountains Loop Trail, Nevada
09 Dirt Roads and Skinny Tires Can the two be friends?
26 Event Calendar Find your next adventure
30 Last Page
A lesson in liability from the bicycle attorney
10
Features 10 Garneau Steeple-xc
No one will miss those racing stripes during Cross season
13 5 bikes visit 5 museum So Cal, So Cultural
15 museum of comtemporary art
With DTLA’s new fat tire bike, Fat Sally
16 Griffith Observatory
On the Tokyo Fixed Dream Machine
18 San Diego Museum of Air &
16
Space
Taking the Virtue One Macias-custom for a ride
20 Balboa Botanical Gardens
Surly’s 650 Straggler And don’t call me Shirley!
24 4
BICYCLIST magazine
Preview 24 CrossVegas is Coming A preview of the 2016 World Cup race
22 Orange County 25 Interbike Museum of Art Preview Riding Newport Beach on the E-Lux Newport
Customer Appreciation day is September 23rd
13 SoCal and Beyond
EDITORIAL
Southern California Bicyclist 14252 Culver Drive Irvine, CA 92604 (949) 264-3346 contact@socalbicyclist.com
Chris Reynolds - CR | Editorial Director chris@socalbicyclist.com Kelley O’Toole - KO | Managing Editor kelley@socalbicyclist.com
Designed and Printed in SoCal Founded by Will Decker Published by Chris Reynolds
Victor Prestinary - VP | Editor-at-Large victor@socalbicyclist.com Catherine Latour | Senior Editor catherine@socalbicyclist.com
All photography and design performed in-house by Chris Reynolds & Victor Prestinary unless otherwise noted.
Justin Macias - JM | Gear Editor justin@socalbicyclist.com Tim Wilson - TW | Associate Editor tim@socalbicyclist.com
VITALS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
bob@socalbicyclist.com
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.
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SCB is published 10 times per year.
Bob Becker - BB | Senior Writer
Robert Gleim | Advertising Director robert@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
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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.
Letter from the editor
T
he fall is a special time for bicyclists on the west coast and especially in Southern California. With endless sunshine and events through to New Years, it truly is the land of 4 seasons riding. For fall, the category is cyclocross, and this years schedule is packed with events for both participants and spectators alike. For the uninitiated, the racing is fast and furious with short races that lap around grassy parks and trails, taking advantage of natural undulations. Sand pits, tree roots and additional obstacles require a dismount and carry or bunny hop, depending on skills and confidence. We went in search of a bike that we could recommend for someone starting out in cyclocross and we came across the Louis Garneu Steeple XC. It’s a balance between value and performance, offering all the requirements of a veteran cross racer, while keeping the price manageable. See our article on page 10 and look for the CX in the event calendar for events taking place near you. If you’d rather skip the on-bike experience of cyclocross and would instead enjoy watching the professionals battle it out, the World Championships of Cyclocross are coming to Las Vegas for the 10th year of CrossVegas. The September 21st nighttime race has been redesigned for maximum action. For photos from last years event and a look at the new course, check out our profile on page 24 The same week as CrossVegas is the Interbike industry trade show, opening the Mandalay Bay convention Center doors September 21. Though the majority of the Interbike show is closed to the public, the last day of the show, Friday September 23, is Customer Appreciation Day, is open to the public. This is your opportunity to see and experience the latest bikes and equipment being released for 2017. While you’re out there or next time you’re passing through Vegas, be sure to bring your bike and take a tour on the Boulder Valley loop (page 8). It’s a 40 mile path and entirely separate from cars. No matter your opinions on vehicular cycling vs. separate infrastructure - it’s an awesome ride with great opportunities to see wildlife - including big-horn sheep, a frequent siting along the route. We hope you enjoy the new look and feel of the magazine. Stay safe and keep in touch. ▲
socalBICYCLIST.com
Chris R .
- Chris Reynolds, editorial director
@socalbicyclist
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