Reseda to the Sea 2021, and VVA's 80th Birthday Ride

March 07, 2021

Reseda to the Sea 2021, and VVA's 80th Birthday Ride

In the average lifetime of regular joe cyclist, how many times does that cyclist have a chance to ride with a verifiable legend? In the grand scheme of everyday riding, I would guess not that often. Looking back I can think of only a few - Nelson Vails once, Dave Ward admittedly many times, Thurlow Rogers admittedly quite a few times (thanks to the Rose Bowl and Montrose rides), Greg Lemond once. To that list I now get to add VVA - Victor Vincente of America. While everyone who gathered on this overcast day knew of VVA, and his contributions, I know, many of you may be saying, "what, who?" I'll give you a pass this once, because maybe you're just not up on your cycling history as much as you should be.

the birthday boy

Let me fill you in with a few basics: VVA, aka Michael Hiltner, is credited with being one in a small group of originators of what we call modern mountain biking. In fact, in recognition of his contributions VVA was inducted into the Mountain Biking Hall of Fame in 1989. Eleven years earlier, and in a kind of round-about way of discovery, VVA began what, two years later would be formalized as the Reseda to the Sea challenge. That first ride also compelled him to seek out a way to make his road bike more "dirt compatible."

Today 7 March, mountain bikers, gravel riders and, well, just plain cyclists from all around (I was surprised - surprised, I tell ya, by just how many came from my far away home area in the IE) - to celebrate two things: VVA's eightieth birthday, and the forty-third anniversary of his creation, Reseda to the Sea. The mid-morning gathering took place up on Reseda Blvd (though not all the way up, there was still a good road climb to manage before hitting the dirt at Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park), up and down the rutted fire roads of Topanga State Park, to the gray coast, where it was a challenge to make where gray water ended and grey sky took over. And then back, because, well I'm guessing we couldn't just stay over on that side of the mountains.

This annual ride, chasing VVA through the Santa Monica Mountains, has been on my radar for, at least, a couple years now, and I am absolutely stoked to have finally made it out this year. Big thanks to Monte for extending the invite. Happy Birthday to VVA! Happy Anniversary to the Reseda to the Sea ride! It was an honor to be a part of this special day! and I am already looking forward to the next one.