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Community Corner

Cycling Event Returns to the Streets of Brentwood

Hundreds compete in the event Sunday that closes portions of San Vicente Boulevard.

The streets of Brentwood were filled with racing cyclists Sunday as the Brentwood Grand Prix returned for its fourth year.

“Brentwood is one of the most beautiful places in Los Angeles and the best part of this race is that we have all the stores and restaurants along the route and all the residents that come out to watch,” said Jay Slater, race organizer. “We’re the only race in Southern California where it’s really in a city environment, so its really wonderful for us.”

This year the Brentwood Grand Prix was designated by the Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association as the state championship, Slater said.

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“So out of the 10 races today, we have six that are state championship races for both men and women,” he said. “The winners of those races get what is called the Bear Jersey and it’s a pretty prestigious thing.”

In between the serious championship races for the grown-ups, about 150 kids participated in their own races where every rider received a Brentwood Grand Prix T-shirt from Helen’s Cycles and a medal.

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“Most of the kids who participate are local Brentwood kids, and that is always a highlight of the day,” Slater said. “I think it’s great for the community. Moms and dads can just roll the kids down here and there’s no fee for kids to enter.”

Jake Ferretti, 7, entered the boys race for 5- to 8-year-olds and proudly wore his T-shirt and medal after the race

“I liked that I got a medal, and it was fun,” he said.

Several streets including a portion of San Vicente Boulevard were closed to accommodate the event, but Slater said that there had been only a couple of minor complaints from residents who couldn’t get where they were going.

“I have eight Los Angeles traffic control officers spread all around all the major streets and I have yet to hear of any major complaints from anybody,” Slater said. “We always have backed up traffic and we know it’s an inconvenience, but it is what it is. We work really hard with the local merchants and we always get our permit approved.”

Ben and Bob Kadkhoda, owners of Allure Pharmacy on San Vicente Boulevard, said having the road in front of their store closed had not hurt business at all.

“If anything it has helped business because of all the cyclists and spectators who are in town,” Ben Kadkhoda said. “We love it. It’s such a beautiful day to have such an awesome, fun, exciting event for adults and children to enjoy.”

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