Pasadena Athletic Association Cycling History

2009

2009-02-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

A virtual history of PAA kits over the last several years with Eddie wearing the new 2009 RE/MAX kit.

2008

2008-01-27T16:51:00.000-08:00

Nick and Al going old school at the "Tour of Pasadena" fun ride.

Retro at the Rose Bowl --- Photo by Mat Gunnell

I had a little time on my hands through much of 2007 so I got into working on the history of PAA in clothing and photos. I commissioned Woolistic (a Swiss retro wool jersey company) to create reproductions of the early 1960's PAA jersey. They came out great! After that I commissioned Woolistic to do a wool "trainer" (more for casual wear) based on the 1960's jerseys. I think they came out great! --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

Vintage style trainer front. --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

Bill Ziegler (left) is presented with his 2008 National Champion skinsuit. Sponsors Bob Shupper (CalRad), Pete and Lisa Loeffler (ReMax), and Kevin Martin (Merrill Lynch) are also pictured receiving "replica" skinsuits in appreciation of their longstanding support. Sponsor John Fries (Bicycle John's) was not able to attend the presentation. --- Photo by Cici Arenas

2008 Front --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

2008 Back --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

Sponsors?

Merrill Lynch
ReMax
CalRad Electronics
Bicycle John's
Positive Moves
Dr. Shimasaki DDS
Tom Reilly Construction
Dr. Gunnell Oncology
StayInMammoth.com
Becker Design

2007

2007-10-27T15:05:00.002-07:00

2007 Front --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

2007 Back --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

2007 PAA Pro Back --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

Bill Ziegler in 2007 kit with World Champion bands. --- Photo courtesy of Nathan Dauglash

Matt and Lee at the Arizona National Mountain Bike Series race. --- Photo by an unknown guy in Arizona

Notable wins, events, or honors?

Sponsored the Bicycle John's Glendale Grand Prix
Sponsored the Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross
Sponsored the Women Only Race Day at ADT Velodrome
Sponsored the Euro-Asia Imports Eliminator Judgement Day Omnium at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the Larabar Pointsapalooza at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the Larabar SoCalCup #3 at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the Motor Tabs Festival of Speed at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the SCNCA Masters Track Championship at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the Encino Velodrome Championships at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the John Fitzpatrick and Dave Staub Memorial Far West at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the Encino Invitational Madison and Open Omnium at the Encino Velodrome
Sponsored the Winter Challenge at the Encino Velodrome

Sponsors?

Merrill Lynch
ReMax
CalRad
Bicycle John's
Positive Moves Coaching Services
Dr. Robert Shimasaki DDS
Tom Reilly Construction
Dr. John Gunnell Oncology
Verizon

2006

2007-10-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

PAA Front --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

PAA Back --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

PAA Pro Front --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

PAA Pro Back --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

PAA group training ride --- Photo uncredited

2006 saw the establishment of a local "pro" team within PAA. The team "PAA Pro presented by Sixtufit" was the brainchild of Armin Rahm and Michael Dansk. They worked hard to put together a team where racers inside PAA could race in the Pro/1/2 category.

Notable events, wins, or honors?

USA Cycling Masters Club of the Year 2006
Sponsored the San Fernando Criterium
Sponsored the Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross
Sponsored the Dam Cross
Sponsored the Valley Spooky Cross
Sponsored the Encino "One Day" at the Encino Velodrome
Paganini wins Masters 70+ National Road Racing Championships

Sponsors?

Merrill Lynch
Bicycle John's
ReMax
CalRad
Positive Moves Coaching Services
Dr. Robert Shimasaki DDS
Tom Reilly Construction
Larabar

2005

2007-10-27T14:21:00.001-07:00

2005 Front --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

2005 Back --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

Cat 4's dominate Pomona Valley Stage Race --- Photo uncredited

Fritz in the dirt at USGP San Francisco in Golden Gate Park --- Photo uncredited

PAA rolls at the PAA San Fernando Criterium --- Photo uncredited

Notable wins, events, or honors?

Cat 4 Pomona Valley Stage Race (San Dimas Stage Race)
Sponsored the San Fernando Criterium
Sponsored the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Turkey Trot Cross
Sponsored the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Verdugo Cross

Sponsors?

Merrill Lynch
Bicycle John's
ReMax
CalRad
Positive Moves Coaching
Dr. Robert Shimasaki DDS
Tom Reilly Construction
Hydration Formula

2004

2007-10-24T22:23:00.005-07:00

Self-Portrait in the Palm Springs Century --- Photo courtesy of Nathan Dauglash

2004 Front --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

2004 Rear --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

Nick Forte (center) in action (see him in the 1970s too!) --- Photo uncredited

Michael Dansk at the first PAA cyclocross race! --- Photo uncredited

Notable wins, events, or honors?

2004 USA Cycling Masters Club of the Year
Sponsored the San Fernando Criterium
Sponsored the Turkey Trot Cross cyclocross race

Sponsors?

Merrill Lynch
Helens Cycles
Calrad Electronics
Voler
Remax
Positive Moves Coaching Services
Murria and Frick Insurance Agency
Delta Cases
Dr. Robert Shimasaki DDS

2003

2007-10-24T22:23:00.003-07:00

2003(?) front --- Photo by Jeff Moreton

2003(?) back --- Photo by Jeff Moreton

Jeff sent these photos though he is not sure of the year. If this is posted under the wrong year PLEASE e-mail or comment for correction.

2002

2007-10-24T22:23:00.001-07:00

2002(?) Back --- Photo by Jeff Moreton

2002(?) Back --- Photo by Jeff Moreton

Jeff Moreton sent these in though he's not positive of the year. If these are posted under the wrong year please e-mail or comment for change.

2001

2007-10-24T22:22:00.002-07:00

2000

2007-10-24T22:22:00.001-07:00

1990s

2007-10-24T21:59:00.001-07:00

1999 Front --- Photo courtesy of Robert DeFerrante

1999 Back --- Photo courtesy of Robert DeFerrante

1996(?) Front. This jersey was awarded "Design of the Year" by USA Cycling. --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1996(?) Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

Chris Horner racing for Nutrafig in the late 1990s --- Photo uncredited

Thurlow Rogers National Champion Jersey (Front). Thurlow went to Santa Rosa for the National Championships and came back with 3 gold medals and yhis nifty jersey!--- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

Thurlow Rogers National Champion Jersey (Back) --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1995(?) Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1995(?) Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1994(?) Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1994(?) Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1993 Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1993 Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1992 Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1992 Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

The 1990s saw PAA/Nutra-Fig in force. Though I'm waiting for some more jersey and/or action photos it's clear that PAA had some power in the 1990s by reviewing this results posting from the 1995 Wheelsmith Series (NorCal) results showing points by Chris Horner (who later raced for Saturn, Webcor, and ProTour teams Saunier-Duval and Predictor-Lotto), Thurlow Rogers (Olympian), John Wordin, and Chris Walker.

Notable wins, events, or honors?

Sponsors?

Nutra-Fig
Miller Lite Beer
Power Bar
Aussie
Shimano
Rigida
Specialized
P.M. Jacoy
Kool 'N Fit
Bell
CalRad
Felt
Scott
Clif
Speedplay
Scott King DDS
Powerade
Easton
Clement
SDG
Giro

1980s

2007-10-24T21:51:00.001-07:00

1989 Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1989 Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1988 Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1988 Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1980s Front --- Photo by Kim Bottles

1980s Back --- Photo by Kim Bottles

60's PAA racer Kim Bottles in 80's PAA jersey at the 2007 Tour of California with the Superfan --- Photo by Kim Bottles

Mid 1980s Front --- Photo by Ron Cyger

Mid 1980s Rear --- Photo by Ron Cyger

Notable wins, events, or honors?

Sponsors?

Fuji
Pasadena Cyclery
Gitane
Trek
P.M. Jacoy
Powerbar
Shimano
Continental
Oakley
Matrix

1970s

2007-10-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

Jack Mauck and Jan Russell at Encino 1975. --- Courtesy of Jan Russell

The guy on the left is Joe Mead PAA. The one in the middle is Ray Blum Paramount Bike Club. The one on the right is Pete Whitehead. Just behind him is my friend Greg Ibeas. Two Scotsmen and one spaniard --- ha ha. Both Mead and Whitehead won the Cal State Veteran Championships during their careers. Mead was also National Champsion of Scotland in 1955 and still rides remarkably well at 83 years of age! --- Words and Photo courtesy of Charlie McTaggart.

Rick Miller winning "Class B" at Griffith Park in 1973. Jan Russell of PAA took 3rd. --- Photo courtesy of Rick Miller

Rick Miller (left) is one of 4 representing the USA at the Vuelta de Tachira 10 day stage race in Venezuela. --- Photo courtesy of Rick Miller

Shot these at the PAA "old timers" reunion. Can't confirm this was Rick's jersey from the Vuelta de Tachira but it sure looks like it! --- Photos courtesy of Matt Gunnell

Rick Miller racing cyclocross at Occidental College in 1973. --- Photo courtesy of Rick Miller

Late 1970's Back --- Photo courtesy of Matt Gunnell

Late 1970's Front --- Photo courtesy of Matt Gunnell

Rick Miller in action in the PAA/Spire jersey early 1970's. If you look closely in the background you can see the back of a rider walking in a 60's style PAA jersey. --- Photo courtesy of Rick Miller

Early 1970's Back --- Photo courtesy of Kim Bottles

Early 1970's Front --- Photo courtesy of Kim Bottles

Orval Hart and PAA on the front at Manhatten Beach --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart

Click on the scan to read the article about PAA in the 1974 Rose Bowl Race --- Scan courtesy of Orval Hart

Charlie McTaggart and Bill McGregor (two of the Scots PAA riders) at the Rose Bowl Race. The rider far left in the orange jersey is Dave Walters of the Riverside Club. --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Pete Whitehead(?) --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Cat 1 racer John Hood Jr. in the blue US Army jersey. Hood was a PAA member and currently lives in North Carolina. Greg Ibeas has his back to the camera. He is in his 80s and still rides regularly. Charlie McTaggart and Bill McGregor. --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Charlie in the white PAA jersey. Possibly Jack Bennett in the yellow PAA jersey with smog mask --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Jeff Spencer at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games --- Photo courtesy of Jeff Spencer

1975 Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1975 Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

Orval Hart (4th from left), Jan Russell (7th from left), Dr. Jeff Spencer of US Postal fame (8th from left), Dr. Frank Donnely (far right) others need to be filled in. --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Jan Russell? --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Nick Forte 1978 (Nick still races for PAA in 2007!) --- Photo provided by Boni Forte

Bob Cook won the 1977 La Vuelta de Bisbee for PAA. He won it again in 1979 for SDBC (as seen in this photo by Lori Stiles). Who won it in 1978? Greg Lemond. Here is a link to the history behind the now infamous Mt. Evans Hill Climb in Colorado which was won by Cook multiple times (and apparently at least once while racing for PAA) and is now named in his memory. --- Photo from the La Vuelta de Bisbee website

Sponsors?

Follis (bicycles)

1960s

2007-10-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Several PAA "old timers" on a reunion ride in February of 2008. --- Photo by Charlie McTaggart

A pin PAA members wore. My guess is the red rose symbolizes the Rose Bowl and the olympic rings represent the olympic tradition within PAA. --- Photo by Matt Gunnell

1960's "kids" jersey --- Photo courtesy of Charlie McTaggart

Orval Hart finishes the Mt. Baldy race --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart

From right (front to back with faces showing): Kim Bottles, John Potoshnick, Ron Skarin, and Orval Hart (in PAA colors) at an unknown Rose Bowl Race. --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart

PAA and others in a pile up at the San Diego Recruit Depot Criterium --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart

Orval Hart launches Bill Kund at the Encino Velodrome --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart
Orval Hart at the Milano Six Day races in the 1960s --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart
Rick Derby takes a sponge from Orval Hart (who had a mechanical) during the 1968 Olympic trials in the Kanan Road Race --- Photo courtesy of Orval Hart

Click on the scan to read about Bill Kund winning the Rose Bowl Race sometime in the 1960s --- Scan courtesy of Orval Hart

Click on the scan to read about PAA in the 1967 Rose Bowl Race --- Scan courtesy of Orval Hart

Needs a story and names! Unknown if 1960's or 70's! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

I think this is Charlie. Unknown if 1960's or 70's! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

I think this is Charlie. Unknown if 1960's or 70's! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart
Charlie McTaggart on a climb at the Rose Bowl Race! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

1963 Front --- Photo by Bob Peoples

1963 Back --- Photo by Bob Peoples

PAA goes 1, 2 at Solvang in 1966 with Dave Christopher and Bob Parsons. --- Photo courtesy of the Pasadena Museum of History.

"This is me in my solo break in the 1964 Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, which at that time was a points race, with a sprint every five laps. I crossed the finish line a minute ahead of the peleton, but I only got third place, based on points." -- Photo and quote from Bob Peoples
"Me after the 1964 Ortega Highway road race. I hit a spectator in the sprint finish, but I didn't fall." -- Photo and quote from Bob Peoples

"Three PAA riders in the 1963 State Road Championship in Santiago Canyon, Orange County: Bob Parsons (left), Bill Lawlor foreground and me in the back, with the grimace. Parsons was on the 1963 Pan Am and 1968 Olympic teams; he also won Nevada City 5 times. He received a suspension in this race for loudly calling a wheel-sucker a "son of a bitch" at the finish line." -- Photo and quote from Bob Peoples.

Below is Bob Parsons today (blue jersey) riding with Victor Vincente of America. --- Photo courtesy of Robert Adelman

"Jack Bennett, in the foreground during the 1963 Paramount criterium. Jack would join PAA later in the year, and he went on to place third in the 1967 U.S. National Championship road race. To Jack's right, in the California State Championship jersey is Jack Disney, who was on many Pan Am and Olympic Teams. Jack Disney took 5th place in the match sprints in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics." -- Photo and quote from Bob Peoples

1969 Front --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

1969 Back --- Photo by Ernie Hoffer

Kim Bottles in the 1960s (unknown year) and climbing Alpe d'Huez in 2005--- Photos provided by Kim Bottles

Rick Derby at the 1968 Track Nationals (and Olympic Trials) at the Encino Velodrome --- Photo Uncredited

History summary:

Don Drageset purchased an interest in his father Norm's bike shop (John's) in 1961 at the age of 21. Within a year or so Don re-ignited the Pasadena Cycling Club which had been run by his father in the 30's and 40's. At the time, there was a multi-sport athletic club in Pasadena called the "Pasadena Athletic Association." "The" PAA asked Don if the bike club would like to affiliate with it in order to expand the options of the bike club. By affiliating with the PAA, the bike club would have more money and options to attend national and international level events as the PAA was a non-profit organization with a board of directors and such. Don agreed and the Pasadena Cycling Club moved under the umbrella of the Pasadena Athletic Association. The relationship worked well for a few years until the Pasadena Athletic Association ended up going into debt sending track and field athletes to more events than they could pay for. The cycling portion of the PAA bailed out the club and paid down the debt by selling programs at Rose Bowl football games. Kim Bottles recalls spending many a weekend hawking programs in front of the Bowl wearing a light blue track suit emblazoned with PASADENA across the chest. Because the cyclists bailed out the organization, they ended up being the "last man standing" and by the end of the 1960's the PAA was essentially the PAA Cycling Club. It still exists in this format today.

1900-1960

2007-10-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Needs a story and name! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Needs a story and name! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

Needs a story and name! --- Photo courtesy of Charles McTaggart

John's Bicycle Shop was originally located where the Parsons building is now in Pasadena (near Fair Oaks and Union). It was established around the turn of the century by Don Drageset's grandfather. The City ultimately condemned the property to put up a parking lot and John's moved to its new location where it was owned and run by Norm Drageset and ultimately Don Drageset. Norm Drageset began the Pasadena Cycling Club in the 1930's and it continued through the end of WWII. The Club even sponsored the cycling national championships at the Rose Bowl in 1941. The Club went dormant at some point in the 1940's.

Pre-1900

2007-10-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

According to this anonymous photo I found this was the "Pasadena Cycling Club" in 1887. Obviously I can't establish a link but this could be the prototypical club!