MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MARK. LLEWELLYN BIXBY, MARCH 25, 2011

March 23, 2011

(Long Beach, Calif.) – A public service to honor and celebrate the life of Mark Llewellyn Bixby, 44, is planned for Friday, March 25, at 10:00 a.m. at the U.S. Sailing Center, located at 5489 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, Calif. (www.ussclb.org).

Mark was a prominent Long Beach community leader who inspired so many others, and over the years served in numerous community organizations.

The Bixby family is well known citywide as one of the founding families of Long Beach. Mark leaves behind a wife, Theresa, and three children, Ryan (16), Kirra (15) and Jessica (13).

To honor Mark’s passion for cycling and his efforts as a bicycle advocate, a memorial bike ride will take place prior to the service, beginning at 8:00am from the U.S. Sailing Center to the Gerald Desmond Bridge and back.  A member of Long Beach Cyclists, Mark’s accomplishments include coordination and promotion of many rides and cycling events. He was the founding director of the annual Long Beach Bicycle Festival and was most recently an integral part of the planning to include bike access in the design of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge. 

Bixby also had a life-long love affair with the ocean.  After the spoken service, attendees will commemorate this love with a traditional Hawaiian paddle-out, taking place at approximately 12:30pm on Alamitos Bay between the U.S. Sailing Center and Gondola Getaway (rain or shine).  Those who would like to participate should bring their own surfboard, kayak, canoe or other flotation device and may leave them on the beach area adjacent to the Sailing Center.  Flowers or leis are encouraged as an offering to the sea.  Guests planning to attend the service or paddle out by power boat are asked to cut their engines during this time.  Because of an expected large turnout, refreshments will not be served, so guests should plan accordingly.  The public is welcome to remain on the beach, share stories, and picnic.  Mark would have loved nothing more.

Mark’s ashes will be released at sea in a private family setting. The Bixby family will then return home for much needed rest and quiet time together and ask that the community respect their privacy.

Parking will be available on Ocean Boulevard and at the Claremont and Granada lots with shuttle service to the Sailing Center. Locals are encouraged to ride their bikes or walk to reserve parking for those who need to be closer.  The family welcomes casual dress, and color is encouraged.

In lieu of food and flowers, the family kindly requests contributions in memory of Mark Bixby to any of the following charities, or to the charity of your choice:  YMCA of Greater Long Beach Camping Services Endowment (www.lbymca.org/donate), Rotary Club of Long Beach Scholarship Foundation (www.rotarylongbeach.org), and Children Today (www.childrentoday.org). Mark served on the board of YMCA Camping Services, was President of Rotary Club of Long Beach, and was very supportive of Children Today, a non-profit co-founded by Mark's wife, Theresa Bixby.

The Bixby family has set up a memorial webpage at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/markbixby which features a memory book for visitors to share stories and photos of their experiences with Mark. It also includes biographical information, including a life purpose statement and various other writings in Bixby's own words.

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I want to give a big shout out to George Economides (publisher) and Tiffany Rider (writer) of the Long Beach Business Journal for featuring me on the cover of this week's issue. It's quite an honor, and I'm especially pleased they allowed space and time for an in depth conversation on what we're working so hard on creating here in Long Beach. From grass roots activists to the highest city leaders - a true bike friendly culture is emerging and we appreciate ya'lls (sic) support!

One of the great burdens of being a cycling and pedestrian advocate is, of course, that I have to keep up my street cred or all is lost on this active living stuff. The challenge is amplified by the fact that here in Long Beach several of our top local "behind the scenes" bike advocates are a bunch of flat bellied fasties and our LB Bike Ambassador Tony Cruz is a former Olympian and pro racer. You're playing your violin for me aren't you? You're so sweet...

Saturdays during the winter (which in So Cal often resembles spring compared to many other locals I've lived in) usually find yours truly gamely racing up one of the relatively local mountains on a quest to build my stamina for more cycling, and of course my goal to climb all of the 14'ers in Cali and Colorado.

Two weekends ago it was a wet time was had for my friends and I as we hiked Mount Wilson in the rain. Last weekend it was Iron Mountain and snow and a special man in a red suit greeted us at the top. Oh wait, yes, that is me, I like to spread festive joy wherever possible - and yes, the suit did help keep me warm.

Dieting sucks. It does. But I've been pretty darn diligent of late. No more automatically ordering dessert anymore when I dine out, no more quick trips out for cookies or ice-cream when the craving hits in the evening. Yes, I've upped the exercise and I even Cycle-Crossed last weekend in El Dorado Park, and then the Press Telegram's Tim Grobaty had to go and ask his reading audience about their favorite bakeries in Long Beach and my much deprived sweet tooth just had to have its say.

I have not found a bakery in Long Beach yet serving my favorite dolce delight of the caliber I've experienced in Austin - Tres Leches Cake. In fact I've only once run across it in Long Beach and was very disappointed.

So in the spirit of keeping up with my new exercise regime as well as my goal to seduce as many of the local LBC to get on a bike with me I sent Mr. Grobaty the following request and challenge:

Tim,

Need your help.

The absolute best cake ever in the history of mankind and cake is, of course, Tres Leches.  And while I can point you to samples of TL perfection in my hometown of Austin, Texas, I don't know who does TL perfection in Long Beach.

You remember the sensual sensation of that first taste of Tres Leches cake.  White, rich cream coated your tongue while the milky juice filled your mouth with sweet tingles of satisfaction.  You closed your eyes as your body release its burden of stress.  You knew then that milk is heavenly and hispanics had mixed it with sugar and found perfection.

So would you consider leading me and maybe a few others on a Tres Leches Exploration-Discovery Tour of Long Beach by Bike?  You, and/or other bakery enthusiasts, snobs, slackers, aficionados could lead those of your lessers to the fountain of possible TL perfection in Long Beach by bicycle on a Saturday morning.  Let's go to four bakeries, sample their best, and write a review of all of them.  Let's ride slow, legal and happy.

What do you think?

Apparently my words had some effect...Grobaty and I have chatted, he's admitted to being more of a pie guy and has never actually experienced the wonders of Tres Leches Cake - but he's open minded, he's willing to give it a try, even perhaps, by bike. Read his article here sharing the results of his quest thus far and his musings on my thoughts on the most marvelous cake in the aside section.

I'm open to a compromise, I'm fond of pie. Who else would like to join us while we savor the baked sweet treats Long Beach has to offer - all guilt free as we'll be touring by bike?

Most people assume I've been a bike advocate forever, but actually I started my professional career as a politician, winning a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1983 when I was only 23. Friends joke that during that era I looked like Ferris Beuller in a three piece suit and they're not far off.

Prior to that, in 1980, during my senior year at the University of Texas, I supplemented my income from the Carter/Mondale Re-Election Campaign by selling a few of these t-shirts in Texas and at the Democratic National Convention in New York City.

At that convention an Associated Press reporter took a photo of me wearing this shirt under a blue blazer on the floor of the convention (yes, I was better dressed in those days).  The photo ran in daily newspapers nationally.  (Photo in storage in Colorado, waiting to be digitized). Below is the response I received from the White House, something I'll treasure forever. Go vote Tuesday. Make sure you're heard.

My pants don't button and I look pregnant. My thighs hit my belly when I ride my bike. And you can imagine how lycra enhances my stomach.  As a friend told me, "That stretchy tee shirt makes you look like a human sausage!"

My personal disgust is fueling my drive to change.  I am ready to loose this extra weight I have been carrying around needlessly for two years.

I am conscious of my failed habits to date.  Climbing mountains, even big ones, doesn't make up for gluttonous eating habits and sloth like behavior in between mountains.

So today, Oct 24, 2010, I weigh 195 lbs.  I will loose 15 lbs. by Christmas, two months from now.  I will make it an athletic training regiment composed of running, skating, cycling, mountain climbing and eating right.  Why not?

Binge training.  Has to be bad for you.  What about stretching?  Recent reports indicate stretching is overrated. I have never been much of a stretcher.

This means doing moderately paced activities daily with a weekly day off. Warrior Monk style.

Start schedule looks like 4 mile runs (Belmont Pier and back), 6 mile skates (east end of beach path and back), 30-50 mile bike rides, and Saturday long hikes (20+ miles, 5,000'+ Elevation gain).

Food looks like more veggies and meat cooked at home. Goodbye fancy restaurant meals!

I am committed to the goal.  Looking forward to the rewards of being fit. And what are they?

Running with confidence on the beach trail, passing slower runners while avoiding being passed by all but the flattest bellied, skinny legged cross country runner.

Skating with grace and fluidity, fast and far.  Gaining skills to negotiate any city obstacle.

Riding with power and speed.  Keeping up with the Long Beach fasty boys.

Mountaineering with stamina and determination.  Getting good with ropes for the next 14ers.

Better, more appropriate food means money saved, weight lost, goal met.

15 lbs. by Christmas. Two months. 7.5 pounds each month.  Get to 187 by Nov. 24. Then 180 by Dec. 25.

Now that is a Christmas present worth giving myself.

I am so pleased to introduce to you a good friend of mine.  Mia Birk is a leader extraordinaire.  She has been fearless in leading the charge for a bike culture in Portland and therefore serving as a beacon of light for the rest of America.  Her book, Joyride, is a reflection on adventures survived, best practices learned, myths conquered, and imaginations engaged.  Please read her book and look out for Mia on book tour in your own city.

Mia is not only a gifted visionary, she's a dear friend and I'm delighted to find out, a witty and entertaining write. The book is an fun pedal through the past and what Mia hopes for for the future, and yes, indeed, it's a joyride. I look forward to seeing Mia soon at the Pro Walk Pro Bike show.

If you happen to be lucky enough to be down in San Diego this weekend I've got some good news. Our own Michael Bauch's very charming "Riding Bikes with the Dutch" will be playing at The Blind Lady Ale House on Sunday August 29th at 8pm and 9pm. Filmmaker Michael Bauch will be there in person and I'm told a fine selection of pizza and beer will be on hand to aid your viewing enjoyment. The film is quite a treat from a talented young filmmaker. Click here to view the film's trailer! If you're looking for something fun to do ahead of time and have your bike with them show up and 5pm for the communal bike ride.

Graham Baden, the lead mechanic and a volunteer at the Hub Long Beach, holds my brand new bike - "Renée," a 30 year old French steel frame stripped down former ten speed touring bike. She's versatile, my new girl, guided by Baden the volunteer students at the Hub transformed her into a sleek urban utility vehicle that can go from a one speed to a "fixed" gear with the flip of the rear tire. I don't want to brag, but she's also eclectic and green, no two pieces on Renée came from the used same bike.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Renée is that you can have one too, even if money is scarce. With the Hub's "Earn a Bike" program volunteers can earn 50% off the price of a newly "remade" bike in seven weeks (that's 24 hours) of volunteering. And no, you don't have to know how to build bikes already, that's what the Hub will teach you. And no, you won't be turned away if what you really need to be able to do is volunteer for the entire price of a bike either, something can be worked out.

The Hub also needs help with murals and its garden and all sorts of non bike related items, and would love to hear from you if you have a hankering to roll up your sleeves and get involved in a wonderful local non-profit.

Baden is very clear that the Hub is a place for sharing and learning, a place where you can let your creativity flow as you imagine up and then build the custom bike of your dreams. The Hub team is troubled by a world that constantly cranks out "new" items, new bikes etc., when the pieces and parts of "used" bikes are so durable and resuable and well, free. The Hub, in a word, is about efficiency.

Want to learn more?

The HUB is located at 1730 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90813. They are right across the street from the Pacific Coast Highway Blue Line Station and accessible by Long Beach Transit Buses 1, 51, 61, 62, 63,
66, 171, 172, 173, 174 Metro Bus 60. The parking lot is only accessible by car from the south. You can email questions to grahamb@pedalmovement.org.

Since moving to California last year to take up the position as Mobility Coordinator for the city of Long Beach I've had the pleasure of exploring quite a bit of the great outdoors of this beautiful state. No, it won't replace Colorado in my heart, but boy is it a nice place to call home.  And California has 15 of the 14'ers, (peaks 14,000 feet and over - see my left side bar for the site that features all of them) that call to me to climb. 

Since last summer I have done three relatively easy ones: White, Langley and Split.  Split was interesting because it was a winter climb with full on ice axe, crampon conditions accompanying shear fear and cold snow camping. August 2010 plans are made to get up a few more.

But there is unfinished business in Colorado. So far I've managed to climb 43 of Colorado's 54 14'ers. Eleven are left and are named innocently enough - Wilson, Little Bear, Ellingwood, Pyramid Peak, Mt. Sneffels, etc.  But with the exception of a couple left on the list, they are last to be climbed because they are the hardest, most exposed mountains among all the 14'ers. 

My rope skills are not up to this challenge now. I have spent some time hanging off ropes in real conditions and know the value of being securely tied off to a solid rock. But it has been a while and I retain only enough confidence in my abilities to create some real trouble. So the plan is to become a rock gym rat and get the coaching necessary to protect myself when doing more dangerous mountains.  I have bought the gear (rope, harness, helmet, hardware) and am commited to becoming competent this month.  How about a Happy 52 Birthday (that's July 12 if anyone would like to send me b-day greetings!).

Here is my complete Colorado 14er list - have to say I'm pretty proud to have gotten this far with a short list of mishapes. More on these later.  My plan is to climb 7-8 more during the last week of July 2010.