
It’s cool when your hometown comes out and embraces a sport that has been a passion of mine since I was a kid. What’s even more amazing is that in the fifth largest city in California with the traffic to match, cycling is started to be woven into the infrastructure. This is due not only to a group of individuals who are cycling enthusiasts but also the efforts of a man who turns the pedals as a profession, BMC’s Tony Cruz.
Tony has big dreams for the city of Long Beach and some of them are coming true. One is the wide green stripe painted in the right lane that goes down 2nd street in Belmont Shore. Called a “Share Lane” it is a bike lane that gives cyclists the right to take the lane. This is obviously safer for cyclists but will also encourage the sidewalk bike riders to take to the street with a degree of safety rather than dodging pedestrians.
If there was a stage to watch during this year’s Tour this would have made the short list. With the exception of the team time trial, the Tour had been on hold till this final week. Riders knew that any energy wasted the weeks prior would come back to haunt them in the final brutal march to Paris. Stage 15 was going to be the place where all the guessing and speculation of who was going to be the leader of Astana was going to be put to rest. In the end it was no big surprise as Alberto Contador decisively took the stage as well as the Yellow Jersey. The crowd enthusiastically cheered as Contador crossed the line at the summit of Verbier and equally as loud when Armstrong did one minute and 35 seconds later.
When the all the people had filed out of the Art Theater, picked up their valet parked bikes and said their good byes, it was obvious to see that the event had been a success. The viewing crowd had included a spectrum of bike riders: racers, fixies, weekend warriors, to fans all under the same roof enjoying the sport. And for me personally that is what makes cycling great, the comradery between riders. I have lost track of high school friends but I can still yell, “what’s up?” to people in the peloton I have known since I was a junior rider. Sure we may ride at slower or faster paces than before, but it looks like the City of Long Beach is trying to get all the area cyclists to arrive at the same place – a bike friendly city. I hope that we can all ride along.
If you’re looking for more information on cycling in Long Beach go to bikelongbeach.org
I had a great time on Saturday. The event was a great success….even though my brother bullied me the whole time into getting everyone coffee and food while he sat there talking with some guy named Levi:)
From the Bike Valet (Long Beach Cyclists) to the Bagels and Coffee (Mark and Jan)… the show was a hit.
The saddest part of the day was learning that YOUR MOOOOOOOVVVVIIIINNNGGG!.
No more neighbor? No more coming over and crashing Cruz Barbecues or Private Family Parties? No more late night jam sessions for your to twitter about?
Seriously, you will be missed…really. The Cruz house just won’t be the same without you and your wife’s infectious and fun laugh. I enjoyed the time spent and great articles produced out of the guy across the alley. I wonder which rider you will live by now? George? Have fun and K.I.T 🙂
I’m on the mend from a crash and the event at the Art Theater was good medicine. Great fun. Can’t wait to see what happens on Saturday!!
Thanks so much!
CStM