Big wheels keep on turnin’ at Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix
Sounding like a swarm of hornets and flashing a rainbow of colors, cyclists navigate the corner at 15th Street during competition at the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Photo
Fifty one years ago, 29-year-old Ted Ernst met with members of the Manhattan Beach Fire and Police Departments to map out the safest and best course for a community bicycle race within the beach city, where he had noticed the growth of cyclists pedaling their way up and down The Strand.
Little did the racing legend know at the time how his cycling event would evolve. On Sunday, July 7 the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix will celebrate its 52nd edition of the race that begins and ends at Live Oak Park.
Sponsored by the South Bay Wheelmen, the event has become one of the longest running cycling races in the United States and attracts nearly 1,000 contestants from all over the world including U.S. Olympians and World Champions.
More than 7,500 spectators line the 1.3-mile course which is shaped slightly like a bent paperclip and is deemed challenging and technical by cycling aficionados.
“This is part of the community and ‘Real America,’” explained Ernst, who continued to race well into his 70’s. “It’s people doing things together from all walks of life and background. From the corporate level to the civic level to the home level, it’s all just great and it all functions. It’s what made America strong and what will keep America strong.”
The event includes competition in eight categories in addition to the Kids races held for the next generation of cyclists
“I meet a number of cyclists who tell me their first race was at the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix,” Ernst said. “Many of them bring their sons and daughters to Manhattan Beach so they can enjoy the same memorable experiences in the kids races.”
It’s just Ernst’s way of re-cycling the popularity of the sport.
The South Bay Wheelmen hosts a group ride on the first Saturday of every month. Cyclists meet in the parking lot of the Catalina Coffee Company, 126 N. Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach at 9 a.m. The moderately-paced ride is 30-40 miles with some climbing and regroups at several points so no one gets left behind. The Wheelmen also hosts the Baxter Time Trial Series of bicycle races that continue each Sunday through Sept. 29 on a course in Carson. Men and women divisions compete in several age groups where racers are awarded points for placing and winners are announced at the end of the series.
The 52nd Annual Manhattan Beach Grand Prix takes place June 7. For more information, visit southbaywheelmen.org or mbgp.com.