Bicycling

WHEN urologist Dr. Irwin Goldstein declared in 1997: "There are only two kinds of male cyclists -- those who are impotent and those who will be impotent," many bike riders scoffed. Saying the equipment housed in their spandex shorts worked just fine, they optimistically kept riding. Several prominent urologists dismissed Goldstein's claims, saying that they were based on a small sample of riders and that the cardiovascular benefits of cycling outweighed any risk of impotence.

In the road war between L.A. motorists and cyclists, I usually side with the two-wheelers -- not because I pedal much myself (I'm more of a scooter aficionado than a biker) but because a contest between a 4,000-pound metal behemoth and a Schwinn cruiser isn't a fair fight. When they collide, the biker is nearly always the one who is going to be hurt or killed.

Nils Magnuson shook his head in disbelief as he waded into the shoulder-high brush to reconstruct the most terrifying mountain bike ride of his life. The last time he was here, on the Cactus Hill trail at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in South County, Magnuson was frantically looking for rocks to throw at a mountain lion that attacked a young woman, dragging her down a steep, brushy canyon.

Cycling on the streets of Los Angeles has never been for the faint of heart. The roads are crowded. Drivers are distracted. Potholes can be perilous. So can car doors, suddenly swung open. Even the mayor is not immune. Two years ago, when a taxi pulled out in front of him on Venice Boulevard, he flew off his bike and broke his elbow. It's no wonder some cyclists seek out whatever help they can get — be it designated bike lanes, bike paths or even bike blessings. On Tuesday, as part of Bike Week L.A., dozens of cyclists rode to Good Samaritan Hospital for the ninth annual Blessing of the Bicycles.

EGYPT Slide show The temples, tombs and pyramids of ancient Egypt will be the topic of a wide-ranging presentation by Vince Trotter of Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures. When, where: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Distant Lands, 56 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (626) 449-3220. BICYCLING Workshop Learn how to lube a chain, fix a flat tire and make other minor adjustments along the way in the "Basic Bike Maintenance" class.

A cycling tour through Provence doesn't have to be all about the bike. France-based Cyclomundo offers a self-guided bicycling trip through the southern French countryside that's good for families with children or folks who want to travel at their own pace. The eight-day Provence With Youngsters itinerary starts in Avignon and winds down quiet roads to Graveson, Fontvieille, Les Baux de Provence and other stops before arriving in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Roman ruins.

KAYAKING Workshop Conor Flannery will present "Cause to Paddle: A Solo Kayak Expedition," about his 2,500-mile journey to Anchorage, with advice on gear, navigation and more. When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the REI store in Manhattan Beach, 1800 Rosecrans Ave., Suite E; 7 p.m. Wednesday in Northridge, 18605 Devonshire St.; and 7 p.m. Thursday in Santa Monica, 402 Santa Monica Blvd. Admission, info: Free. Register at http://www.rei.com/stores/14 for Manhattan Beach; http://www.

I cannot believe the stupidity of ABC! During the final round of the British Open golf tournament, the announcers named the winner of the Tour de France bicycle race. Even though I knew the afternoon telecast would not be live, it would have seemed that way if I didn't know the outcome. The announcement was even more unbelievable when one considers that ABC was going to be the network telecasting the Tour de France later that day. Nice going, ABC! Alice Hill, Huntington Beach

Road rules for all Re " 'Share the road' a 2-way street," Column, July 15 I have been biking in the San Gabriel Valley for the last 40 or so years, and I have pretty much seen it all. Roughly 5% of car drivers need decaf, but 95% respect cyclists. I wish I could use those ratios for cyclists. I have seen too many peloton groups reluctant to stop for a red light; too many cyclists riding on the wrong side of the street; and far too many without a helmet. Still, my experience with cycling moves me to cut some recreational bikers a little — if undeserved — slack.

Regarding Richard Anderson's warning of rising gas prices (Commentary, April 8), I am certainly not whining. As a 20-year-old without a driver's permit, let alone license, I have two thoughts on the issue. On the one hand, I feel saddened for all my friends who have created lifestyles based on massive driving. On the other hand, I am tempted to feel smug that I can get most anywhere I need for daily life by bicycle and plan to continue this at least until my 25th birthday. I've bicycled to work in a suit and tie; I've ridden safely in pouring rain.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will unveil a $16-million bike-share program Sunday that aims to put thousands of bicycles at hundreds of rental kiosks across the city. Initial plans are to add 400 stations and 4,000 bicycles over the next 18 to 24 months in areas around downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Playa del Rey, Westwood and Venice Beach. The private investment from Bike Nation will not need any city money, according to the mayor's office and the company. Bike Nation has agreed to a minimum contract of 10 years.

When Los Angeles painted a 1.5-mile strip of Spring Street neon green last year, it was hailed as a major step in the city's effort to have cars and bicycles share the road. But now, the bike lane has become a symbol of how hard it can be to reserve room for cyclists in a city dominated by the car. The green lane has been criticized by the film industry, which frequently uses the stretch of Spring Street, in the heart of old downtown, as a stand-in for other cities and eras.

Cities are adding more special lanes and other bicycle infrastructure. The economy is improving, and higher gas prices are prompting people to think more about using bicycles for commuting and quick errands. Such positive trends are helping bolster a small cadre of crafts people who still build bicycles by hand. That's why the mood was upbeat at the industry's annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show, which concluded Sunday. More than 8,000 people attended the three-day affair in Sacramento, ogling the fancy polished and carved lugs, or sleeves that join bicycle tubes together; bicycle bags that would hold their own in a Coach store; and exotic bike frames made from bamboo, wood and other materials.

In the fading evening light, Jeff Snider played catch in the middle of the street with his 14-year-old son, the baseball thwacking their mitts. They stepped out of the way and waved when cars passed. The friendly neighborhoods in hilly Oakwood, a picture-perfect suburb nestled against Dayton, belong in a brochure for the American Dream. But the tranquillity hides a churning discontent. A lanky high school math teacher, Snider worries about the mortgage and the cost of sending four children to college.

Grand Canyon National Park, the 5-million or 6-million-year-old granddaddy of Arizona tourism, logged 4.3 million visitors last year. Rangers say that's a dip of 3.7% from the year before, but the canyon remains among the nation's most visited parks. And despite its age (also a ranger estimate), it does keep changing. Visitors to the South Rim - by far the park's most heavily trafficked area - will find six recently installed water-bottle refilling stations near major trail heads.

A cycling tour through Provence doesn't have to be all about the bike. France-based Cyclomundo offers a self-guided bicycling trip through the southern French countryside that's good for families with children or folks who want to travel at their own pace. The eight-day Provence With Youngsters itinerary starts in Avignon and winds down quiet roads to Graveson, Fontvieille, Les Baux de Provence and other stops before arriving in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Roman ruins.

In an effort to make the streets safer for bicyclists, the state is now permitting communities to install special traffic signals that regulate bike traffic. The city of Davis in Northern California is the first to try out the special signals. The city, which experiences bike gridlock around the UC Davis campus, is using six bicycle-only lights as part of pilot program. The lights look much like normal traffic signals, except they are smaller.

Cyclists from across the country -- and as far away as Europe and China -- are urging a Los Angeles County judge to order a lengthy prison stretch for a former Brentwood doctor convicted of deliberately injuring two cyclists in an alleged road rage assault. In more than 270 e-mails and letters filed with the court, cycling enthusiasts condemned the actions of Christopher Thompson and argued that a tough sentence would send a strong message to hostile motorists everywhere. Though some of the writers described themselves as friends of the victims, many said they had no connection to the case.

Los Angeles County supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday that requires new developments to have wider sidewalks, bicycle parking and other changes to promote exercise and reduce obesity. The ordinance also would make it easier for communities to start community gardens and hold farmers markets. "We are excited," said Susan Tae, the county's supervising regional planner. "This is the first step to address the healthier-built environment at the countywide level. " The ordinance, which affects unincorporated areas of the county, expands sidewalk widths to five feet, requires bicycle parking within developments and increases shade on sidewalks.