BICYCLES A MAJOR PART OF VALLEY CULTURE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013

In the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley are some of the earliest known photographs of the Cahuenga Pass, when it was a one lane road. Photographs in The Museum's High Collection of photographs is a bicyclist making his way from Hollywood into the Valley.

With the opening of the Orange Line from North Hollywood, extending to Chatsworth, an explosion of bicycle riders is now part of Valley Culture.

This year, the AIDS Lifecycle's "Day on the Ride" (a preliminary to the great bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles) began at dawn in late April from Woodley Park. The fact that the Valley was chosen for the beginning and terminus of the big practice ride demonstrates the Valley's new status in the cycling world.

 Dawn in Woodley Park - Hundreds of Cyclists gather for ALC's Day on the Ride.

Making Valley and California history, bicyclists sign in for the Day on the Ride event. Volunteers, many from the Valley, arrived before dawn to make the ride a success.

ALC bicyclists prepare for "Ride Out" in Woodley Park.

Cyclists prepare for the "Safety Speech" prior to ride-out. Note: All of these athletes wear safety helmets and are trained in the rules of the California Vehicle Code.

VALLEY CYCLISTS c 1895

2009 The Year of Valley History

This photograph of two cyclists, from the David High Collection, is bady faded and has considerable damage. It is so fragile that it will be removed from its protective sleeve very seldom. I thought at first that it might have been taken in England and part of the things brought to Lankershim / North Hollywood around 1895.
Faded Cyclists Photograph, given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by David High July 2009 - (click on image to enlarge)

Faded Cyclists Photograph manipulated and resized, given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by David High July 2009 - (click on image to enlarge)

By changing this photograph from a faded sepia image to black and white, interesting details are revealed. The palm tree and cactus indicate strongly that this photograph was taken in Southern California. (It is my guess that the two men are members of the historic Davis family of Lankershim / Toluca / North Hollywood.

BICYCLES PLAY A BIG ROLE IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Bert Holiway - Photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Dave High - July 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

When your Museum received Los Angeles City Councilman, Tom LaBonge’s newsletter today, I thought it would be fun to introduce his comments with this photograph of Bert Holiway and his bicycle.
Your Museum is hoping that one of you bicycle fans out there will be able to help us identify the year that Bert Holiway posed for this photograph in Los Angeles. Refer to photograph HC-14
One thing is for sure, Bert isn't an AIDS Lifecycle rider, because he isn't wearing a helmet!

Now for Tom LaBonge’s message:
“This is a great time of year for riding bikes in the city and the Department of Transportation has installed 285 new bike racks in Los Angeles. Councilmember LaBonge worked to have some placed in the Fourth District, including in Larchmont, Studio City and Hollywood. If you're interested in more information: http://ladot.lacity.org/pdf/PDF163.pdf
You can subscribe to Tom’s on line newsletter through:
LaBonge.News@lacity.org

In the fall, Councilman LaBonge will once again be leading one of his famous bike rides through his district in the San Fernando Valley. We'll let you know when to get ready for it, via this blog.

Bicycles are a big part of San Fernando Valley history. Want to be a part of preserving and displaying bicycle history? Call your Museum today at: 1 (818) 347-0665