Southern California - Charlie Marko Ride

JUST A REMINDER - The 5th Annual Charlie Marko Memorial Birthday Ride is on Sunday, November 15th, at 8:00 a.m.. The ride starts and finishes at Charlie's house, 7930 Apperson Street, Sunland, CA, 91040. As always, you're welcome to bring as many people as you'd like, and there will be pizza, cake, and snacks afterwards.

Since the Angeles Forest is still closed due to the recent Station Fire, we'll be taking a different route this year, and I think it's one you'll enjoy. We'll go over Little Tujunga Canyon Road to Agua Dulce and back for a total of 63.5 miles with 5,098 feet of climbing. It can get chilly in the mountain passes, so be prepared in the wardrobe department, and be bring a few dollars with you in case you need to buy water at a gas station/minimart along the route.

One of the stops on the Birthday Ride was the Hidden Springs Cafe. The folks at the cafe were always hospitable to cyclists. They'd fill your water bottles, let you use their restroom, and wish you a safe journey as you left. It had been there since the 1940's and was owned by the Lewis family since 1971. On August 30, 2009, the Hidden Springs Cafe burned to the ground during the Station Fire. Due to its location in a fire and flood prone area, the building was insurable. For the Lewis family, it was a total loss. Hardest hit was their mother, who lived above the cafe. She was out of town at the time of the fire, and came back to nothing... only the clothes in her suitcase.

After the ride, I'll be accepting donations for the Hidden Springs Cafe. There's no obligation to donate, only if you're able to and feel so inclined. I would just like to let them know, through whatever we can give, that the cycling community cares.

If you need directions or more info, email me at charlie.candis@verizon.net

in as usual

JUST A REMINDER - The 5th Annual Charlie Marko Memorial Birthday Ride is on Sunday, November 15th, at 8:00 a.m.. The ride starts and finishes at Charlie's house, 7930 Apperson Street, Sunland, CA, 91040. As always, you're welcome to bring as many people as you'd like, and there will be pizza, cake, and snacks afterwards.

Since the Angeles Forest is still closed due to the recent Station Fire, we'll be taking a different route this year, and I think it's one you'll enjoy. We'll go over Little Tujunga Canyon Road to Agua Dulce and back for a total of 63.5 miles with 5,098 feet of climbing. It can get chilly in the mountain passes, so be prepared in the wardrobe department, and be bring a few dollars with you in case you need to buy water at a gas station/minimart along the route.

One of the stops on the Birthday Ride was the Hidden Springs Cafe. The folks at the cafe were always hospitable to cyclists. They'd fill your water bottles, let you use their restroom, and wish you a safe journey as you left. It had been there since the 1940's and was owned by the Lewis family since 1971. On August 30, 2009, the Hidden Springs Cafe burned to the ground during the Station Fire. Due to its location in a fire and flood prone area, the building was insurable. For the Lewis family, it was a total loss. Hardest hit was their mother, who lived above the cafe. She was out of town at the time of the fire, and came back to nothing... only the clothes in her suitcase.

After the ride, I'll be accepting donations for the Hidden Springs Cafe. There's no obligation to donate, only if you're able to and feel so inclined. I would just like to let them know, through whatever we can give, that the cycling community cares.

If you need directions or more info, email me at charlie.candis@verizon.net

Damn, going back home (to CO) this weekend, but that ride sounds like a nice ride and a very worthy cause on two fronts.

I didn't know or ever meet Charlie Marko. But I remember Hidden Springs Cafe as being just a great, classic "Mom and Pop" kind of joint that will be sorely missed. If you become aware of any other ways to donate to the Lewis family, then please post them here.

Damn, going back home (to CO) this weekend, but that ride sounds like a nice ride and a very worthy cause on two fronts.

I didn't know or ever meet Charlie Marko. But I remember Hidden Springs Cafe as being just a great, classic "Mom and Pop" kind of joint that will be sorely missed. If you become aware of any other ways to donate to the Lewis family, then please post them here. I'm sure you can mail a donation to Hidden Springs Cafe 23155 Angeles Forest Hwy. Palmdale, Ca. 93550

celtic, Charlie is still alive. I don't know why he uses the word 'memorial' in his ride title.

Charlie is a bit of a comic.

I'm sure you can mail a donation to Hidden Springs Cafe 23155 Angeles Forest Hwy. Palmdale, Ca. 93550

On the to-do list, thanks.


celtic, Charlie is still alive. I don't know why he uses the word 'memorial' in his ride title.

Charlie is a bit of a comic.

Well, that is pretty funny (and good news to boot). I guess he's just planning for the future. I'm going to follow suit and do a memorial ride (solo) in my own name this weekend.

curious kid, thanks for pointing to this thread. funny, I live directly behind Charlie's house, on Beckett, just past Apperson school. hope you don't mind but have a few questions.

Who is Charlie Marko?
What is the connection to the Hidden Spring cafe? sorry got lost in traslation.
What kind of pace?
Is there a fast group or is this just a cruising speed ride?
What time is the group or groups expected back?

Thanks.

curious kid, thanks for pointing to this thread. funny, I live directly behind Charlie's house, on Beckett, just past Apperson school. hope you don't mind but have a few questions.

Who is Charlie Marko?
What is the connection to the Hidden Spring cafe? sorry got lost in traslation.
What kind of pace?
Is there a fast group or is this just a cruising speed ride?
What time is the group or groups expected back?

Thanks.

Charlie is a regular guy who has done some ultra-type races and he has a lot of friends in cycling. He's is very friendly and always welcomes new riders.
The Cafe was a favorite stop of his.
The pace will vary. There wil probably be a fast group but last year there was some regrouping and everything was very informal.
I don't know when to expect to get back but if you're pressed for time you can always turn back when you feel the need. Do it!

I know I caught hell from my wife last year when I got home to Burbank in the late afternoon. But I spent a significant amount of time studying beer, pizza and birthday cake. I wouldn't think this years route would take more than 4 hours.