A-Ride July 2: Bohlman-On Orbit-Bohlman and Beyond - 8 AM!

Please note 8 am start time (this is the normal AV A-Ride summer start time). To get an early start on our Independence Day celebrations, we’ll warm up by riding out to Los Gatos, and then the fireworks will begin with the famous Bohlman-On Orbit-Bohlman climb! We’ll regroup at the top and briefly commiserate about how hard it was. The rest of the ride should be no sweat, thought: We’ll carefully make our way through the brief Montevina dirt/gravel section (watch for loose sand/gravel at the turns) before winding our way down the paved part of Montevina. We’ll then regroup again briefly, before crossing 17 at Bear Creek Rd and heading up the Old Santa Cruz Highway (stopping for water at Lexington Elementary, if needed) and Summit, and then descending on Soquel San Jose Rd. We’ll then enjoy the mild-ish ups and downs of Laurel Glen and Branciforte (where there is another water stop at Delaveaga Park, if needed), before heading into Scotts Valley via Glen Canyon Rd. We’ll then climb out via Bean Creek, Glenwood, and Mountain Charlie Rds, before descending back into Los Gatos (where we can stop for water again), taking the east side of the reservoir , and then make our way back to Palo Alto.

Since this is a long one, let’s keep a steady, hard A-Ride pace. We’ll regroup at the top of the climbs and try to stay together on the descents. We will have water stops, but bring two water bottles and plenty of food. It should be a lot of fun, so come give it a shot. Also, I turn 40 the next day, so this could be it for me.

Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave in Palo Alto at 8 am Sunday during the summer.

Route: 7-2-23 A-Ride (4) | 97.1 mi Cycling Route on Strava

Summary: 97 miles / 9,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Los Gatos (via Stevens Canyon, Pierce, Eden) > Bohlman-On Orbit-Bohlman > Montevina > Old Santa Cruz Highway > Summit > Soquel San Jose > Laurel Glen > Branciforte > Glen Canyon > Bean Greek > Glenwood > Mountain Charlie > Summit > Old Santa Cruz Highway > Alma Bridge Rd > Los Gatos Creek Trail > back to Summit Bicycles (via Saratoga Los Gatos, Saratoga Sunnyvale, Stelling, Mary, Homestead).

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 8 a.m., Leave 8:10 a.m.

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

Ride Leader: Nat Green