A-Ride January 7, 2024: Bohlman-On Orbit-Bohlman and Black Road - Don’t miss it!

To ring in the new year, let’s do some climbing! We’ll meet at 9 am at Summit Bicycles Palo Alto, and then warm up by riding out to Los Gatos. As soon as we arrive, we’ll hit the famous Bohlman-On Orbit-Bohlman climb. If you haven’t done it before (or even if you have), it’s one of the most challenging climbs in the area, especially the On Orbit section (okay you can stay on Bohlman if you insist, I guess). We’ll regroup at the top and congratulate each other for 3-5 minutes. Then we’ll carefully make our way through the brief Montevina dirt/gravel section (watch for loose sand/gravel at the turns - and mud?) before winding down the beautiful sweeping Montevina descent. Let’s quickly come together again and make a right onto Black Road, a 4.5 mile climb with a flat mile in the middle (similar to Montebello). Once we hit Skyline, we’ll have a few more miles of more moderate climbing, and then it’s basically a descent the rest of the way down Skyline and Page Mill back into town.

As usual, let’s try to stay together on the flats/descents, and regroup at the top of the climbs. The weather should be cool, and the ride isn’t too long, so let’s play the water stops by ear, but plan to at least get water at Castle Rock. We can also divert to Lexington Elementary before we climb Black Road if folks need water then.

Should be a fun time, so if you’ve made a new year’s resolution to join an A-ride (or do more A-rides), head on out!

Reminder: The A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave in Palo Alto at 9 am Sunday during the winter

Route: AV A-Ride 1-7-23 | 56.9 mi Cycling Route on Strava

Summary: 57 miles /7,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Los Gatos (via Stevens Canyon, Pierce, Eden) > Bohlman-On Orbit-Bohlman > Montevina > Black Road > Skyline > Page Mill > Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 a.m., Leave 9:10 a.m.

Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules

Ride Leader: Nat Green