Rallying through La Verne’s city streets, sophomore Colin Wheatly takes six minutes to drive to the University from home, and only seven minutes to ride his “fixie,” making the ride fun, efficient, and economical.

by Jesse F. Evans
photography by Mitchell Aleman

Your first bicycle. In your memory, it was probably a single speed, metal fender, brightly painted, kickstand supported marvel. Perhaps the only way to brake was pedaling backwards. Then, the magic of bicycling opened up with technologically advanced hand shifters coupled with hand brakes. The mechanical advantage of multiple gearing made it so the pedals did not stay in rotation with the back wheel. You had conquered gravity. But wait…advanced cyclists are returning to the first bike under the Christmas tree, minus the training wheels. Single geared bicycles are making a revolutionary come back in the biking community. These fixed gear bicycles or “fixies” as they are called, are becoming the hot item for gung-ho cyclists to add to their bike fleet. It is all very Zen-like with the pedals in constant motion and a feeling of bike oneness. But before making the purchase, consider this: “Compared to a road or mountain bike, it is the worst bike you could own. You have limited speed, limited climb, limited everything, no brakes, and it’s completely unsafe. A fixed gear bike by far is for the rider looking for fun and thrill seeking,” says University of La Verne Cycling Club president and fixie rider Vince Gonzales. Because a fixie has only one gear, no brakes and is intimately linked to the strength and coordination of the rider, yes, it is difficult to ride. But to those who master them, it is bicycling in its raw essence. On a fixed gear bicycle, the sprocket is directly screwed to the hub. The hub is the centerpiece, the core of the sport.

“The difference between a regular bike and a fixie is that when you are riding a fixie you don’t have any options of brakes or anything; legs control whatever you do,” says Mitchell Aleman, fixed gear bicycle rider and University of La Verne student. “So you can manage your speed; you can go slower or faster whenever you want just based off how you move your legs. There is a real sense of agreement between you and the bike.” With this bike, the challenges become the ownership piéce de résistance. “The biggest obstacle a rider would have to overcome is the fact that the pedals don’t stop moving, and that some of them don’t come with any brakes,” says William Sullivan, sales associate at Incycle in San Dimas, who is also a ULV student. “The coordination there is definitely a big obstacle to overcome.” A traditional geared bicycle allows the rider to coast. When a fixie is in motion, the back wheel is rotating the pedals. Therefore, fixie cyclists cannot coast and are in constant motion with their bicycle’s forward speed. This takes some training. “It does take time, but it feels more natural once you get used to it,” Mitchell says.

Before the derailleur, the first bicycles, including the racers, had only one gear. A derailleur is the transmission system for a bicycle; it assists the bicycle chain when it moves from one sprocket to the next. Climbs and descents are easier to control with the correct available gearing. Modern bikes can support more than 30 gear combinations. In essence, a fixed gear bicycle is an old simple bicycle. “They were originally used as velodrome race bikes so they are sometimes called velodrome track bikes, track bikes, or single speeds,” Mitchell says.

Sometimes fixed gear bicycles will come with a supplemental braking system. However, for the purest, they do not have brakes. The stopping is unique—a cyclist might skillfully fish tail when stopping. Fixie riders call this “drifting” or “sliding.” The linkage of rider to bike allows majestic tricks to be pulled off, including dance routines. Simple tricks include front and rear wheelies. The more complicated tricks turn into a magic act. Riders sometimes keep the front wheel planted on the ground and make the handlebars do a full rotation called a bar spin. More complicated moves happen when they are in motion. While keeping the bicycle balanced, riders and their bicycles become one. They sometimes put a leg over the front handlebars and stretch their bodies into an arch position. The most daring riders take both hands off the handlebars.

Some people think a beach cruiser is a fixed gear bike because it has only one gear, but it is not considered a fixed gear bicycle. “We get that quite a few times here,” says William, himself a fixie owner and cycling enthusiast. “People come in and are looking for something to cruise to the beach with, and they end up looking at the fixed gears. It’s still a great bike to cruise the boardwalks and everything in between, but it is not an actual beach cruiser.”

Contrary to common sense, the fixies thrive in heavy traffic urban areas. Those who ride a fixie without brakes anticipate their next move and are on the ready. When in traffic, they have to plan their next move as if it were a game of chess, because the rider has to be able to make the safest move possible, given the options. The best fixie riders know how to react to avoid hazards and know how to make fast-acting moves in urban environments. The bikes are especially popular with bike messengers in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Bike messengers perform track stands at red lights, which allow riders to keep it upright while not putting a foot on the ground. “It’s been pretty popular in big urban areas such as Los Angeles and other cities, pretty much since the 80s,“ University of La Verne Cycling Club vice president and fixie rider Vince Rodriguez says. “As of now, it’s starting to catch on.”

A fixed gear bicycle is also known for its unique look. At Incycle, “The best brand we have in stock is either the Schwinn or Specialized. I think the best fixed gear is the one that you actually create, mainly because there are so many personalities you can add. Plus it makes it cool that you did it yourself,” William says. Each fixie is different; there are not many duplicates. All are distinctive and have a variety of styles to suit personal preferences, whether it is color, frame or distinctive handlebars. The brand choices allow riders to customize. Republic Bike invites buyers to create fixed gear bikes on its website, with 3D image feedback. A good entry level fixie costs about $300. Nevertheless, with serious customizing, the cost can reach an average of $500 to $600.

Bicycling is a social activity, and, predictably, fixie ownership draws people together. A Claremont riding club holds regular group rides. Despite the emphasis on fixed gear riding, all riders are welcome. It is a big group with passionate riders. Indeed, most riders own complex road and mountain bikes plus their fixie models. “I enjoy riding my fixed gear bicycle because of the fact that its so simple. With other bikes, you have to do a lot of prep time in order to ride them. There is no real maintenance to it. A fixed gear is always there; you just have to pull it off the wall and just ride,” William says. Says Mitchell, “I don’t see my love for fixie riding going away. I’m not going to sell my bike; I’m going to keep it so when I am 25 or 30 years old I can hop on and take a cruise. It’s never going out of style for me, and I only see it getting more and more popular each year. It won’t go out of style. It’s been exploding for the past 10 or so years.”

Fixed gear bicycles require little maintenance, having no brakes or chain derailleurs; nevertheless, checking chain tension is important. ULV sophomore James Cano makes wheel adjustments before his five-mile ride home.

Races that started it all

“Fixed gear bikes date back all the way to the velodrome,” says Vince Gonzales, ULV Cycling Club president. The velodrome is an arena for track cycling, a semi oval with high bank turns. The first recognized United States race came in 1879 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. And the first racers had fixed gear bicycles. The most popular and well-known event in the late 19th century was the one-hour race where riders would put their bodies to the limit for an hour, going as fast as they could, trying to gain the best times. The velodrome remains a popular Olympic event.

Today, the most prestigious world cycling race is the Tour de France. During that first tour in 1903, 60 competitors from five European countries entered and started before sunrise so they could complete the stage with daylight. The fixed gear bicycle was used in those first Tours. And it was this famous race that spurred technology advances. Now, the 20-stage, 2,161-mile race across the French countryside is undertaken with technically advanced road bicycles.

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Stocking shelves, repairing bikes and making sure that all customers leave the store satisfied keeps general manager and owner of Jax Bicycle Center, Jonathan Chang, busy and content. / photo by Walter Mansilla

by Jordan Litke
photography by Walter Mansilla

Jax Bicycle Center in downtown Claremont has been keeping the community in bicycles for more than 30 years. Once the site of Bud’s Bicycle Shop, the store has made slight changes over time to meet customer needs, and today is more focused on the family recreational rider than the hardcore competitor.

Jax is a Trek concept store, which means they predominantly carry the Trek brand of bicycles and accessories. Along with the products they provide, they have full-service bicycle maintenance capabilities. After purchasing a bicycle, customers can come in and get free adjustments for the first 60 days of ownership. Jax can build bikes from scratch, starting with just a frame, and allow customers to personally choose the other necessary elements.

Because they are avid bicyclists themselves, the Jax staff can instruct customers on what would best suit them. “There is no such thing as the best bike. It’s what’s best for the individual,” says Jonathan Chang, manager of Jax in Claremont. Chang and the other employees do not attempt to sell the most expensive bike on the rack. They sell what is most suitable for each client.

Claremont resident Scott Eddy has been a customer since the shop was still Bud’s. He always loved the service he received from Bud’s. When he discovered that the new owners could take care of his cycling needs, he decided to remain a customer. He had Bud’s specially build bicycles for him, and he is now having Jax custom-build him new ones. “You don’t go into Wal-Mart or something and get a bike,” Eddy says. For serious cyclists, the smallest detail can make a big difference in a ride. Although some would never purchase an off-the-shelf bicycle at a store like Wal-Mart, many bicycle shops, including Jax, are able to make adjustments on any bike, giving it a more personalized ride.

Not only are the people at Jax concerned with bikes and accessories, they are also big advocates of cycling. They want to encourage the sport for personal health and for the betterment of the environment. They avidly support groups like Bikes Belong, based in Washington, D.C., Warrior’s Society, based in Cleveland, and The California Bicycle Coalition. Chang says that Jax really does maintain a bicycle-friendly work ethic, encouraging their employees to ride to work instead of drive. They try to allow time in their work schedule for the extra effort it takes to bicycle to work.

Chang says that he works for Jax for four basic reasons. One, he gets to work on bikes. Two, he gets to ride bikes. Three, he get to talk about bikes. And four, he gets paid to do it. Since the staff consists of serious riders, customers know they are getting reliable facts and full service from this small bike shop.

Besides Claremont, Jax also has locations in Irvine, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Long Beach, Mission Viejo and Yorba Linda.

From children’s bikes to adult bikes, Jax Bicycle Center in the Claremont Village carries several contemporary brands of bicycles, including Trek, LeMond, Haro, Nirve and Electra as well as bike parts, clothing and other bike-related products. / photo by Walter Mansilla

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On Friday morning John Holderness, Patrick Caro, Patrick Torres, Josh Mortin, Josh Webster, Daryl Bowman and Jim Horstmeyer all cycle along Puddingstone Drive heading eastbound toward Walnut Drive near the park entrance at Via Verde, the day after Thanksgiving. / photo by Stephanie Arellanes

by Jordan Litke
photography by Stephanie Arellanes & Walter Mansilla

Lycra shorts, colorful jerseys, shiny helmets and sculpted calves form the classic stereotype of the cyclist methodically pedaling down bike lanes in and around La Verne. A few years ago, there seemed to be just a handful of them. Today, more than ever are out there, riding alone or in groups just about any time of day.

Bicycling has evolved from being predominately for transportation to having multiple dimensions. The Tour de France victories of Greg LeMond initially boosted the sport’s popularity in the United States when he not only was the first U.S. citizen to win the Tour in 1986, but went on to win it again in 1989 after a near-fatal hunting accident, and again in 1990, before retiring. And who could forget how Lance Armstrong’s seven Tour victories impacted both national and international bicyclists, and earned him respect and admiration from the athletic world as a whole?

Today, thanks in part to the boost in popularity LeMond and Armstrong brought to cycling, thousands of individuals in the United States have adopted it as their sport. With the number of shops and clubs in this area alone, it is obvious that bicycling has evolved from just an activity to a lifestyle.

But just who are these people who are not too proud to be seen by their neighbors in skin-tight, screaming-neon outfits? And how safe are they out there, riding inches away from cars, trucks and SUVs?

Antoni Dolinski, a retired photographer, has been riding for more than 20 years and can tell you a thing or two about the evolution of the sport. He stands in front of his home located near Marshall Canyon in La Verne, sporting a T-shirt that reads “One Less Car” boldly on the back. His personally designed bicycle hangs from a post and is meticulously maintained in preparation for his next ride. As a matter of fact, all of Dolinski’s bicycles were designed and built by him. Some of them are worth as much as $5,000.

With a trace of an indistinguishable European accent, Dolinski describes the dangers that exist on and off road, and remembers a time when cyclists were not as abundant and cities were not so bicycle-friendly. Bicyclers like him must be cautious of drivers on the road who bear an “anti-cycler” sentiment, and who have been known to throw empty containers at cyclists riding along. Some have even intentionally run them over. “Not everybody appreciates cyclists. They can’t stand to see the sight of all that health,” Dolinski says. He whole-heartedly believes that the individuals who viciously attack bicyclers envy the dedication and well-being of the cyclists, causing them to physically lash out.

Cyclists are often misunderstood by citizens who do not share their passion for traveling without a motor. Taryn Shepard, a San Dimas resident, has noticed the influx of bicyclists, and says she’s uncomfortable driving near people who are so exposed to the dangers of the road. “People don’t know what to do when there is a biker on the road. They are unpredictable,” she says. Although she admits that a cyclist has never literally jumped out in front of her, she cannot help but feel uneasy about the fact that there is nothing between the cyclist and her car but air. She does not share the same resentment of riders that Dolinski describes, but she does wish that bicyclers had more paved paths that would take them off the side of the road and out of harm’s way. Most citizens do not know that this is exactly what these cities are trying to do.

The San Gabriel Valley has recognized that the area is becoming flooded with bicyclists of all breeds. The city of Claremont received a “bicycle friendly” designation in September from the League of American Bicyclists, which distributes this award to cities that make an extra effort to accommodate and advocate bicycling in their communities. Becoming “bicycle friendly” is an opportunity for a city to support cyclists in their area and provide safer accommodations, which includes paving paths and marking bicycle lanes on roads. Organizations like the League of American Bicyclists make it possible for these paths to exist and motivate riders to obtain more advocates in their hometowns.

The league was originally named the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. This organization took on the new activity with pride and pushed paved roads in their communities in order to have a safer and smoother ride. The league died down a few times throughout the years but resurfaced in 1965. Then, in 1994 members changed the name to the League of American Bicyclists. Their mission is “to promote bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.”

Cyclists today come in all varieties. There are beginners, veterans, competitors, mountain bikers, road bikers, old, and young sharing the same adoration for what bicycling provides in their lives. Michael Powers, an employee at JAX Bicycle Center in downtown Claremont is a competitive bicycler, but one who hasn’t forgotten that cycling is first about enjoyment. “If you don’t remember bicycling is fun, then you will burn yourself out on it,” Powers says. “It’s not all about the racing, it’s about the camaraderie.”

This community has a wide range of clubs, events and rides that have formed throughout the years, giving bicycling a network and social value. Southern California Velo Club, Incyle Downhill Team, and Inland Inferno are a few of the clubs in the area. Some clubs are focused primarily on racing, like the Incycle Downhill Team. Others, like Southern California Velo, have a dual function of helping those who want to compete and motivate those who just want to ride recreationally. Events like Tour de Foothills are organized rides meant to be a social and recreational ride. Participants in the Tour de Foothills ride either a metric century (62 miles) or a half metric century (31 miles), both of which make loops around the San Gabriel Mountain foothills and communities in the Inland Empire.

One of the races in this area is the San Dimas Stage Race (SDSR), a three-day event that has been held annually for nine years. Once a small and predominately local race, the SDSR has now acquired national interest. Stage one is a time trial up a 3.74-mile stretch of Glendora Mountain Road. Stage two is comprised of a series of loops around Lake Puddingstone. The third stage—a fast-paced race around several blocks in the heart of Old Town San Dimas—finds cyclists whipping through the town en masse at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour.

Contrary to popular belief, cyclists are not wearing brightly colored, skin-tight jerseys because they have a fascination with disco-era fashion. It’s a matter of survival as much as anything. Just as much as the average driver does not want to hit them, they do not want to get hit, so they wear bright colors to be seen. The material is necessary to provide ventilation and allow flexibility in their movement. Like any other sport, cycling requires the proper gear, such as aerodynamic helmets and specially designed cleats for shoes to clip onto peddles. Bikes are specifically designed to accommodate particular types of riding. Specialized bicycle shops can tailor-make bikes and advise customers on what equipment will best suit their needs.

If you drive in or around La Verne, you may have driven past Toni Dolinski who, at age 75, is more dedicated to the sport than many individuals twice his junior. Every Monday and Wednesday he rides with the Claremont Senior Bicycling Club, which alternately tours Bonelli Park and the Golden Hills area. On Wednesday’s rides, Dolinski will branch off with one or two other individuals and hit the mountains for a more challenging ride. He’s back on his bicycle again on Friday, riding with more experienced riders. His favorite ride on Fridays is Glendora Mountain Road, with its steep inclines and switchbacks that is a favorite workout among serious cyclists in the area. The trip from Baseline Road to Glendora Ridge Road and back is about 18 miles. From his home in La Verne, Dolinski’s round-trip ride Fridays up GMR, as it is known among cyclists, is about 30 miles.

The San Gabriel Valley provides riders with an array of both mountainous and flat terrains to cycle. Paths not only challenge the physical endurance of cyclists, they also awaken the senses with the raw nature that still exists in the area. Cyclists venturing into these areas—especially mountain bikers—must keep an eye out for cougars, bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife.

The abundance of bike lanes, bike paths, adult and junior clubs and competitions are evidence of the impact cycling has had in this region. Despite this, life can still be hazardous for cyclists on local roadways.

Shana Murphy moved to La Verne from Scranton, Pennsylvania, four years ago. Although she agrees that bicycling is a positive activity that is not only beneficial to riders, but also to the environment, she admits to an aversion toward cyclists. “While I do not feel like we should ban cycling, I also do not feel I should have to share the already over-crowded road with them,” Murphy says. She recalls a time when she was stuck behind a large group of cyclists who she says were “arrogantly” covering the right lane where she needed to be turning.

Murphy is not alone in feeling inconvenienced by cyclists, some of whom would rather they not be on the road at all. Some citizens in this community not only are not “bicycle friendly,” they are “bicycle annoyed.”

Aggravations arise due to the lack of knowledge of things as simple as the laws bicyclers and drivers must adhere to when approaching one another on the road. Murphy and Shepard both would prefer cyclists ride on the sidewalk, not realizing that it is actually illegal. To the surprise of some citizens, it is completely legal for bicyclers to be riding along with the flow of traffic as long as they are not blocking the road. Cyclists on the road are required to follow all traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs and signaling when turning. Sometimes cyclists just do not see the driver or vice versa, and collisions occur. “You have to be aware that others are on the road,” Michael Powers says. If bicyclists and drivers both follow laws and recognize that each has a legitimate right to be on the road, catastrophes are less likely to occur.

Cyclists often spend thousands of dollars on their equipment and are not interested in destroying their bikes by colliding with a car. Toni Dolinski remembers a time in the 1970s when he was bicycling with a group and they were forced to defend themselves against a band of thieves attempting to harm them and steal their bicycles. “We were assaulted by a group of young rumblers in the Rose Bowl area,” Dolinski explains. To the attackers’ surprise, Dolinski and his fellow cyclists were wearing cleats on their shoes, and were not going down without a fight. Even without the help of the cleats, the odds were probably against the assailants, who were sent off to jail by way of the hospital first. “We bloodied them up pretty good,” Dolinski admits, barely concealing his satisfaction in recalling the victory.

Whether we admire and respect them or simply think they’re in the way, cyclists are here to stay, and motorists and bicyclers will have to find a way to coexist. Thankfully, many communities—like nearby Claremont—have begun to recognize this. These folks may not be Greg Lemond or Lance Armstrong, but they just might be your neighbors. So next time you’re driving past a group of cyclists, give them a wide berth, even if you can’t help snickering at their outfits.

photo by Stephanie Arellanes

Seventy-five year old avid bicyclist, Toni Dolinski rides his bike through Lowell Brandt Park in La Verne. His passion for bicycling keeps him on the road and he loves to build and repair bikes in his garage. / photo by Walter Mansilla

John Holderness and Patrick Caro ride along on a cool Friday morning the day after Thanksgiving going eastbound on Puddingstone Drive just before the Via Verde park entrance. / photo by Stephanie Arellanes

Jim Horstmeyer, Patrick Caro, and John Holderness of Incycle Bicycles of San Dimas, cycle westbound along Puddingstone Drive near Bonelli Park. / photo by Stephanie Arellanes

photo by Walter Mansilla

photo by Stephanie Arellanes

photo by Stephanie Arellanes

photo by Stephanie Arellanes

photo by Stephanie Arellanes

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