Everybody’s thinking three day weekend! Three day weekend! Three day weekend!

Don’t get too far ahead of yourselves. Start planning ahead! On the following Saturday, the 20th, Mr. CiclaValley will be

taking part in one of the Mayor’s Great Streets Events called Connect the Dots along Van Nuys Boulevard. The idea is to help re-imagine this iconic street for the next one hundred years.

There’s a lot going on throughout the day, but Mr. CiclaValley is here to talk bikes. That day, I will be taking part in a little jaunt around the neighborhood called the Tour de Van Nuys, starting at noon.

It’ll be about five miles and a easy pace, but this will be a historical tour led by local researcher and author of Here in Van Nuys, Andy Hurvitz. This neighborhood has gone through several phases starting from it’s emergence one hundred years ago with the Pacific Electric Rail running through, the car culture from the 50’s and a new rebirth that’s starting to rear it’s head.

For example, did you know Van Nuys High School may have the most prestigious list of alumni? Marilyn Monroe, Robert Redford, Don Drysdale, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Jane Russell, Paul Abdul and a host of others all went here. If I mention myself, that’s probably the trump card.

A little later in the day starting at 2pm, there will be a kids rodeo to teach your little tykes how to move around like a pro. All kids need to have a helmet, but if they don’t have one, there will be free giveaways to the first 50 kids!

There are going to be community workshops at Connect the Dots throughout the day, but the 3pm one will construct a protected bike lane on Van Nuys Boulevard to show what a cycling future would look like.

If you haven’t already had enough fun, there will be a block party from 6pm to 9pm. There will be music, food, vendors and MacLeod Ale will be pouring their brews.

To RSVP for the bike ride, sign up here.

This is the valley and I can guarantee you perfect weather for the day! I look forward to seeing you. For sure. Totally..