Three years ago, environmental attorney David Cranston didn’t even own a bicycle. Now he’s going for the gold joining the U.S. cycling team at this summer’s Maccabiah Games in Israel, dubbed the “Jewish Olympics.”

“One day I was in spin class on a bike in a gym, and thought I really should be doing this outside,” said Cranston, 49. “I had no idea how addicted I’d become to cycling once I got a taste

of it.”

Cranston now often pedals 14 miles to work where he is head of Greenberg Glusker’s climate change and sustainability practice traveling from his home in Pacific Palisades to Century City amid rush-hour traffic.

“I don’t wear the Lycra to meetings or court appearances, for the sake of everyone,” jokes Cranston, who brings a suit to change into and makes use of a shower at his office building.

“Cycling is a passion but I won’t let it interfere with family or work,” he said. “But it does with sleep, as I wake up at 4:30 a.m. almost daily to train.”

Cranston said that although he will compete in Israel just two days before turning 50, cycling makes him feel 20 to 30 years younger.

Ranch Hands

When Garrett Gerson announced that the fall 2009 line from his clothing company, Sjobeck, was inspired by his grandfather, the stylish crowd attending his show broke into uproarious applause for the 88-year-old man, who was wearing a cowboy hat.

In keeping with the cowboys-and-Indians theme, the runway show March 15 at the downtown Los Angeles Theater was preceded by a performance from American Indian singers, drummers and dancers in traditional garb.

“My grandfather started Calamigos Ranch in Malibu,” Gerson, 28, explained. “It was an old Chumash Indian site. The spring and summer Sjobeck lines were influenced by the Malibu lifestyle, being laid-back.

“This time, we took two American staples cowboys and Native Americans and meshed them together, because we’re an all-American brand.”

Gerson started the company in 2006 with Shelly Sjobeck, the company’s director of design. JesseRay Vasquez and Lani Lupton, the other designers, are also partners in the company. Everyone except Sjobeck lives at the Malibu ranch.

Staff Reporters Francisco Vara-Orta

and Maya Meinert contributed to this column. Page 3 is compiled by Editor Charles Crumpley. He can be reached at ccrumpley@

labusinessjournal.com.