Exploring the Murals of La Verne
It was a busy day along the Citrus Regional Bikeway... Oh, no... wait, the Citrus doesn't quite make into La Verne, the city to which this mornings ride had brought me. Oooooooh, ding, ding, ding - out for the count. Sorry for the dig, I couldn't resist. Think of it as incentive.
Anyway, as I was saying it was a busy day - cyclists, as they always do on a Saturday morning, streamed east and west along Bonita Avenue (Citrus RB), while the cross streets carried hot rods and custom muscle cars bound for their big anniversary gathering over at the Fairplex / Speedway. Our gathering, smaller, quieter, but no less lively, had come together for, what is hoped to be, the first of many community-based bicycle rides.
Lets jump back a number of years - when the old Cycle Claremont community rides failed to incorporate themed rides into their schedule I was disappointed. With such a rich artistic and historical legacy in the city those rides might still be taking place.
Oh well.
Anyway, as I was saying it was a busy day - cyclists, as they always do on a Saturday morning, streamed east and west along Bonita Avenue (Citrus RB), while the cross streets carried hot rods and custom muscle cars bound for their big anniversary gathering over at the Fairplex / Speedway. Our gathering, smaller, quieter, but no less lively, had come together for, what is hoped to be, the first of many community-based bicycle rides.
Lets jump back a number of years - when the old Cycle Claremont community rides failed to incorporate themed rides into their schedule I was disappointed. With such a rich artistic and historical legacy in the city those rides might still be taking place.
Oh well.
Our friends and neighbors in La Verne - the La Verne Bicycle Coalition and La Verne Historical Society with the logistical assistance of Bike San Gabriel Valley, put together a great little spin visiting six art sites around the city. Each stop along the circuitous route was accompanied by a brief talk by the artist and / or other informed resident. As they are supposed to, the talks provided insight into how the art, mostly murals, came about, what inspiration may lie behind the images, how they have change over time, and their role in promoting community identity - providing a visual connection between the residents of today, and those from the city's past. If that wasn't enough to make this a notable first for the city, the fact that participants cut straight through the age spectrum - from elementary school student to retiree shows, I think, the "community-building" potential of short, half day events like this. Our neighbors in La Verne are on to something, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.
the group shot
if there is a ride taking place in the greater San Gabriel Valley you can expect Eric will be there - by the way he is one of this years' BikeSGV volunteer honorees at the upcoming annual Noche de las luminarias
morning group ride
a gathering of muscle-powered people
muscle of a different sort
Doug takes the mic
artists and mural
If I am not mistaken Mayor Kendrick said this mural was the city's first piece of public art. Beyond that though, what it depicts is the ranch owned by his family (grandparents) more than a hundred years ago. Gotta dig that historical connection!
on the road
the flag house
more murals
playing on the railroad tracks
listening
discussion
balance and stretch
regroup
the story behind the Library's wooden doors, as told by the craftsman himself
mosaic mural
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