Wheels in motion

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers RIDE ON- Above, Westlake Village Mayor Sue McSweeney escorts White Oak Elementary School students training for the Dole Ride for the Schools Kids Race. Below, Tyler Weyman, 7, of Thousand Oaks, races around the parking lot after the Dole ride. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Westlake Village was on the move last weekend as the 2007 Conquer the Canyons Westlake Village Stage Race and Cycling Festival brought bicyclists from all ages and abilities to the local streets. The twoday event included a professional cycling stage race- a time trial, a circuit race and a road race- and various other cycling-related rides and festivities.

The Conquer the Canyons 25mile Charity Ride benefited Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization that funds autism research.The Charity Ride followed a scenic course that wound through the Conejo Valley.

Concurrent to the other races, the Dole Ride for the Schools, 2.5and 5-mile rides around the circuit race course, gave local children and their families an opportunity to raise funds for their schools.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers CYCLING POWER- Above, Los Angeles County fire trucks escort White Oak Elementary School students during Ride a Bike to School Day in Westlake Village on Wednesday. Below, students pause during the Dole Ride for Schools near Agoura and Lakeview Canyon roads to visit with Bobby, the Dole banana. The ride raised funds for local schools. A cycling festival which included a BMX stunt show, a bike rodeo and a sponsor expo, topped off the weekend.

In preparation for the weekend of riding, White Oak Elementary School hosted Ride a Bike to School Day. With Westlake Village Mayor Sue McSweeney riding alongside them, a pack of 115 White Oak students pedaled their way to school on Wednesday.