3:10pm | If you want to network, then mark next year’s bike tour at the Long Beach Marathon on your calendar. 

I rode in the 26-mile tour on Sunday along with my wife at the invitation of Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesman Bob Maguglin.

Before going on, I must first offer a side note on Maguglin:

Maguglin, who I would argue knows more about Long Beach than any person in existence—and who also knows just about everyone worth knowing in the city—is by all appearances a mild-mannered and humble man, well-suited to his tourism official lot in life.

But I’m here to tell you about the competitive side of Maguglin. He’s a wildman on the bike, driven to push himself to the brink and break his opponent’s spirit (that’s me) with crafty headgames and riding technique: He talks about how slow he is, then sprints out in front of you in the blink of an eye; he slows to wait for you atop of one hill so he can point out to you that “the next hill’s the real big one;” and worst of all, he will talk you into taking a break about a quarter-way up a hill, so you have to start out from said break on a grueling uphill trek, then he leaves you to suffer alone while he speedily cranks away, all the while careful to appear as he’s under no strain at all.

But when it comes to networking, Maguglin has the touch, as did many who may have come to the marathon for more than just a great race. The annual event, sponsored by International City Bank, drew a strong presence from the business community, including fellow riders and runners too numerous to name. I rode a part of the way with Craig Watson, executive director of the Long Beach Arts Council, and after the race saw many others doing some hardcore networking and talking about future projects.

Wearing a blanket to keep him warm after completing the half-marathon in decent time, Gladstone’s owner John Sangmeister talked about bringing more events to the downtown area, including some lofty aspirations related to his sailing passion. Former Redevelopment Agency head Tom Fields was also making his way through a crowd at a VIP tent, as was the ever-present Long Beach CVB head Steven Goodling, who was greeting folks and listening to ideas from just about everyone he met.

Also riding was City Manager Pat West, who noted that he started his day with pro cyclist Tony Cruz, and downtown commercial broker Becky Blair.

Long Beach Grand Prix top dog Jim Michaelian and Rich Archbold were in the tent. Archbold, who recently stepped down as the Press-Telegram’s executive editor, discussed his new role as community liaison director for the paper. Asked if he’d ever really retire, he joked, “They’ll have to carry me out in a pine box.” I offered to be a pallbearer.

Also on hand in the tent, and at the dark and cold 6:00am kick off of the bike tour to call the start, was International City Bank President and CEO Jane Netherton. She noted there were some 2,500 riders in the event this year.

For the record, Maguglin smoked me by well over 15 minutes, though I put in a pathetic performance, and for the record, I swear revenge next year. Our times, which I won’t mention out of embarrassment, were not official, as the tour is just that, a tour, and not really a race. You hear that, Maguglin?