A-Ride 7/24/22 - AVRT Team Camp

This week we will be combining the A ride with the last day of our 2022 AVRT summer team camp. We will ride some familiar roads but intersperse some different training sets along the way. If you’ve been thinking about getting in to racing or just want to improve some specific skills, this would be a great opportunity to ride and learn with the team. Please do keep in mind that this is still the A-ride, and the pace will inevitably be fast. We will make some regroups (top of Kings, beginning of Lobitos after the Tunitas descent, and HMB) but please know the route just in case.

Special ride segments:

1. Kings - If you are targeting San Rafael as an A or B race, take this one easy. If not, go for that PR if it fits your mood.

2. Tunitas - We will do a mini descending clinic on our way down Tunitas after going over some basic pointers and pro tips at the top

3. HWY 1 S - Paceline work, with focus on keeping a smooth, tight, and efficient rotation

4. HWY 84 - Work in self-selected groups to get to the top as fast as possible. If winds are cooperative I fully expect to see some top 10 times.
   

Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Route: Strava route

Route Summary: Kings, Tunitas, Lobitos/Higgins, coffee/pastries in HMB, HWY1, 84

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.

Time: 8am. Leave 8:10am

Cheers,
Shane

A-Ride - July 17, 2022

This week's A-Ride will take us out to the coast and back up Tunitas in support of the Bike Hut Classic!

We'll ride up Kings, then Skyline and 92 down to HMB. From there we’ll take Higgins and the 1 with steady tempo down to the start of the Bike Hut Classic Tunitas segment, where we’ll give a full gas effort to the top and roll back down Kings to finish out.

We’ll regroup at the top of Kings, north end of 35 (rolling), and finally at top of Tunitas.

Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Route: Strava route

Route Summary: Kings/35/92/Higgins/1/Tunitas and back down Kings. Water stops are at the Bike Hut and at the Woodside Store Park on Kings & Tripp (on return)

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.

Time: 8am. Leave 8:10am

Ride Leader: Daniel Fonyo

A-Ride - July 10, 2022

This week's A-Ride racks up the vertical feet (and personal nostalgia) with a loop featuring some classics - Kings, HWY9 and Montebello.

We'll hit Kings and Montebello hard, and connect with steady tempo on Skyline. If you're not up for the final climb at Montebello, let someone know that you plan to roll back to Foothill early so we aren't waiting for you at the top.

Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2980206866917194816

Route Summary: Arastradero/Portola/King's/Skyline to HWY 9, Up & Down Montebello/Foothill. Quick water stop at the Skyline fire station.

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.

Time: 8am. Leave 8:10am. You can also catch us on Page Mill, but we won't be stopping.

A-Ride 7/3/22 - Boulder Creek

For this week’s A-ride we will head toward Boulder Creek! Note that the start is at Summit Bicycle on Cal Ave and the start time is 8 am. Hope to see you there!

Hwy 9 > descend Bear Creek > water stop at Boulder Creek > short detour to check out Two Bar Rd > Hwy 9 > skyline > descent page mill back to summit

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2978023235161274110

Start: Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto

Time: Sunday 8 a.m. Leave at 8:10 a.m.

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

-Jack

Cancelled: A Ride 6/5/22 - Pt Reyes Lighthouse

This week's A ride to Pt. Reyes lighthouse is unfortunately cancelled due to persistent rain forecast in San Francisco and Marin county tomorrow morning.

This is an A+ ride with spectacular views and I highly recommend you try it sometime! Maybe we will have it scheduled again later this year.

This Sunday we’ll be journeying north to lovely (or perhaps foggy and windy?) San Francisco to tackle a classic ride out to the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse. There will be water at the lighthouse (mile 55) and a lunch stop at Pt. Reyes Station on the return leg (mile 75). The posted route is an out-and-back via Sir Francis Drake Blvd/Samuel P. Taylor Park, but we can also choose to return via Nicasio or Hwy 1. Bring courage for tackling the inevitable headwinds on the way out.

Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/2429651
Start: San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Plaza at 8:30am (a little extra time for those driving)
Ride Etiquette and Safety: See https://www.altovelo.org/riding-etiquette

A-Ride 5/29/22 - Happy Valley

This Sunday we'll ride some less frequently ridden roads for many of us and enjoy a nice cruise through old santa cruz hwy, happy valley, and mt. charlie. Plan for a brief stop at summit store for water/cookies and another quick water stop at castle rock. Pace will be brisk. Remember, we start at 8am for the summer!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2964684900354949292

Start: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot

Time: Sunday 8 a.m. Leave at 8:10 a.m.

Non-members:
Alto Velo welcomes non-members to join us on our rides. However, non-members must have a Waiver on file with the club. We are using a new process now, and it is all electronic. There is no need to sign a form, scan it, and email it to the team. Instead, you can use BikeReg. It is free of charge. Use the attached QR Code to initiate the process to sign the waiver and you are good to go for riding with AV for 2022.

Health notes:

• Follow local guidance for COVID 19, and bring a mask to use when you can't separate by 6 feet.

• You must be vaccinated to ride with Alto Velo.

Ride Etiquette:

• Introduce yourself to new riders. If you're a new rider, introduce yourself at the start of the ride.

• Roll out from the start/regroups gently so everyone has a chance to warm up and get going.

• Use hand signals and call out turns, stops, and road obstructions. Repeat the message through the group.

• Mechanicals: relay the message to the front. Help out the impacted rider. Wait for the impacted rider at the next regroup.

• Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. The ride leader will initiate a rotating paceline when the group desires.

• Follow behind the wheel in front to avoid the bunch spilling over the road.

• If you leave a ride early, notify someone so the group doesn't think they lost you.

Ride Safety:

• Riders should carry a medical ID that contains their name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.

• Riders must always wear a helmet. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet on AV rides and riders are discouraged from riding with AV groups if they don't wear a helmet.

• Riders are always responsible for their own safety. If you feel uncomfortable riding with the group, gently move to the rear of the group.

• Look for yourself for cars and other road users, and OBEY TRAFFIC rules. You are responsible.

• Do NOT cross the centerline. You will be asked to leave the ride if you do so.

• If you're new to group riding, make this known to the ride leader and ask for help.

• Protect your front wheel, do not cross wheels.

• Do not make sudden lateral movements at any time.

• Be gentle on brakes so as not to suddenly stop in front of someone.

• No aero bar use.

• No sitting on the top tube for descending.

A Ride Earlier Starts

As you may have noticed in the ride announcement emails, the A Ride start times have moved a bit earlier, with today's ride starting at 8am. Now that the longer days and hotter weather of summertime have arrived, 8am starts to the A Ride will be the standard for the next few months.

A-Ride 5/22/22 - Morgan Hill race simulation

For this week's A-ride, we will head south toward the rarely explored Morgan Hill territories. To help us race smarter as a team, it's going to be a race simulation with 4 KOMs and 1 sprint during the middle ~50 miles of the ride, from Los Gatos to Los Gatos. That means team strategies are highly encouraged, and we can discuss more depending on who shows up for the day. Another key change is that the start time of A-ride has been moved to 8am from now on due to the longer daylight and hotter weather.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2961814268357957406

Pacing:

• Easy ride to Los Gatos

• Race simulation/fast pacelining including 4 KOM and 1 sprint from Los Gatos to Los Gatos

• Regroup at water stop halfway

• Easy ride back from Los Gatos to Los Altos 

KOM/sprint and water stop:

• KOM1: https://www.strava.com/segments/770358

• KOM2: https://www.strava.com/segments/563933

• KOM3: https://www.strava.com/segments/637717

• Sprint: 20052 mailbox at the top of a small bump on McKean Rd

• KOM4: https://www.strava.com/segments/592491

• Water stop: Uvas Pines RV Park

Start: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot

Time: Sunday 8 a.m. Leave at 8:10 a.m.

Non-members:
Alto Velo welcomes non-members to join us on our rides. However, non-members must have a Waiver on file with the club. We are using a new process now, and it is all electronic. There is no need to sign a form, scan it, and email it to the team. Instead, you can use BikeReg. It is free of charge. Use the attached QR Code to initiate the process to sign the waiver and you are good to go for riding with AV for 2022.

Health notes:

• Follow local guidance for COVID 19, and bring a mask to use when you can't separate by 6 feet.

• You must be vaccinated to ride with Alto Velo.

Ride Etiquette:

• Introduce yourself to new riders. If you're a new rider, introduce yourself at the start of the ride.

• Roll out from the start/regroups gently so everyone has a chance to warm up and get going.

• Use hand signals and call out turns, stops, and road obstructions. Repeat the message through the group.

• Mechanicals: relay the message to the front. Help out the impacted rider. Wait for the impacted rider at the next regroup.

• Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. The ride leader will initiate a rotating paceline when the group desires.

• Follow behind the wheel in front to avoid the bunch spilling over the road.

• If you leave a ride early, notify someone so the group doesn't think they lost you.

Ride Safety:

• Riders should carry a medical ID that contains their name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.

• Riders must always wear a helmet. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet on AV rides and riders are discouraged from riding with AV groups if they don't wear a helmet.

• Riders are always responsible for their own safety. If you feel uncomfortable riding with the group, gently move to the rear of the group.

• Look for yourself for cars and other road users, and OBEY TRAFFIC rules. You are responsible.

• Do NOT cross the centerline. You will be asked to leave the ride if you do so.

• If you're new to group riding, make this known to the ride leader and ask for help.

• Protect your front wheel, do not cross wheels.

• Do not make sudden lateral movements at any time.

• Be gentle on brakes so as not to suddenly stop in front of someone.

• No aero bar use.

• No sitting on the top tube for descending.

A-Ride 5/15/22: Photo Day

This week's A Ride is extra-special -- it's photo day! The racing team will get headshots and action shots in our sleek new Eliel kits, and everyone is invited to participate in the photo day as well. See you there!

- Matt Carvell

Now that we have our new kits, we're doing a photoshoot to get that content for the socials. Christophe, the famed Egan Ride photographer, has graciously agreed to take photos.

We'll do some headshots and group shots at Lincoln Park, then leave at about the standard A Ride time to take action/climbing shots in Los Altos Hills. Afterward, we'll smash a Pescadero loop in typical A Ride fashion.

Long Route: La Cresta > Altamont > Page > W Alpine > Pescadero > Stage > 84 > WOLH > 84

https://www.strava.com/routes/2956787321075985362

Short Route: (once at Skyline, descend to 84)

https://www.strava.com/routes/2958957822271657512

Time: Sunday 8:15 for photos; ride leaves around 9:10

Non-members: Alto Velo welcomes non-members to join us on our rides.  However, non-members must have a Waiver on file with the club.  We are using a new process now, and it is all electronic.  There is no need to sign a form, scan it, and email it to the team.  Instead, you can use BikeReg.  It is free of charge. Use the attached QR Code to initiate the process to sign the waiver and you are good to go for riding with AV for 2022.

Health notes:

• Follow local guidance for COVID 19, and bring a mask to use when you can't separate by 6 feet.

• You must be vaccinated to ride with Alto Velo.

Ride Etiquette:

• Introduce yourself to new riders. If you're a new rider, introduce yourself at the start of the ride.

• Roll out from the start/regroups gently so everyone has a chance to warm up and get going.

• Use hand signals and call out turns, stops, and road obstructions. Repeat the message through the group.

• Mechanicals: relay the message to the front. Help out the impacted rider. Wait for the impacted rider at the next regroup.

• Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. The ride leader will initiate a rotating paceline when the group desires.

• Follow behind the wheel in front to avoid the bunch spilling over the road.

• If you leave a ride early, notify someone so the group doesn't think they lost you.

Ride Safety:

• Riders should carry a medical ID that contains their name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.

• Riders must always wear a helmet. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet on AV rides and riders are discouraged from riding with AV groups if they don't wear a helmet.

• Riders are always responsible for their own safety. If you feel uncomfortable riding with the group, gently move to the rear of the group.

• Look for yourself for cars and other road users, and OBEY TRAFFIC rules. You are responsible.

• Do NOT cross the centerline. You will be asked to leave the ride if you do so.

• If you're new to group riding, make this known to the ride leader and ask for help.

• Protect your front wheel, do not cross wheels.

• Do not make sudden lateral movements at any time.

• Be gentle on brakes so as not to suddenly stop in front of someone.

• No aero bar use.

• No sitting on the top tube for descending.

grAvel-Ride 5/8/22

This Sunday's A ride will be a gravel adventure. Note, we are meeting at 8:20 and rolling at 8:30. Hopefully we can avoid some of the wind, and get some sick rippage in before the forest collapses.

We'll start by heading down to Steven's Canyon, which switches to gravel at the end, taking us all the way up to Black Mountain. From there, we'll head over to Page Mill and descend down West Alpine (with some additional Russian Ridges bonus grav grav.)

We'll zoom all the way down to Portola Redwoods State Park. We'll take Old Haul to La Honda, and zoom on up some cool neighborhood roads. It turns into gravel, then it turns into a wall. (Recommend easy gears, 1.0 at least.) This will take us to Skyline. Crazy Petes, Dirt Alpine. Home safe and sound.

None of this is gnarly. Do it on a gravel bike. Do it on a road bike. I think the ideal setup will be a gravel bike with 40s and easy gears. Don't come on a road bike and complain about the bumps.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2954405047537272804

Start: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot

Time: Sunday 8:20 a.m. Leave at 8:30 a.m.

Non-members:
Alto Velo welcomes non-members to join us on our rides. However, non-members must have a Waiver on file with the club. We are using a new process now, and it is all electronic. There is no need to sign a form, scan it, and email it to the team. Instead, you can use BikeReg. It is free of charge. Use the attached QR Code to initiate the process to sign the waiver and you are good to go for riding with AV for 2022.

Health notes:

• Follow local guidance for COVID 19, and bring a mask to use when you can't separate by 6 feet.

• You must be vaccinated to ride with Alto Velo.

Ride Etiquette:

• Introduce yourself to new riders. If you're a new rider, introduce yourself at the start of the ride.

• Roll out from the start/regroups gently so everyone has a chance to warm up and get going.

• Use hand signals and call out turns, stops, and road obstructions. Repeat the message through the group.

• Mechanicals: relay the message to the front. Help out the impacted rider. Wait for the impacted rider at the next regroup.

• Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. The ride leader will initiate a rotating paceline when the group desires.

• Follow behind the wheel in front to avoid the bunch spilling over the road.

• If you leave a ride early, notify someone so the group doesn't think they lost you.

Ride Safety:

• Riders should carry a medical ID that contains their name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.

• Riders must always wear a helmet. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet on AV rides and riders are discouraged from riding with AV groups if they don't wear a helmet.

• Riders are always responsible for their own safety. If you feel uncomfortable riding with the group, gently move to the rear of the group.

• Look for yourself for cars and other road users, and OBEY TRAFFIC rules. You are responsible.

• Do NOT cross the centerline. You will be asked to leave the ride if you do so.

• If you're new to group riding, make this known to the ride leader and ask for help.

• Protect your front wheel, do not cross wheels.

• Do not make sudden lateral movements at any time.

• Be gentle on brakes so as not to suddenly stop in front of someone.

• No aero bar use.

• No sitting on the top tube for descending.

A-Ride 5/1/22 - Felton Figure-8

Sunday's A Ride will take us into the Santa Cruz mountains. We'll be going up Highway 9, then down 9 into Felton, and returning via Zayante and Skyline. There will be a refueling stop in Felton and short regroups at the top of each major climb, but minimal stops otherwise.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2954489642261600254

Short Option: https://www.strava.com/routes/23640067

Start: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot

Time: Sunday 9 a.m. Leave at 9:10 a.m.

Non-members:
Alto Velo welcomes non-members to join us on our rides. However, non-members must have a Waiver on file with the club. We are using a new process now, and it is all electronic. There is no need to sign a form, scan it, and email it to the team. Instead, you can use BikeReg. It is free of charge. Use the attached QR Code to initiate the process to sign the waiver and you are good to go for riding with AV for 2022.

Health notes:

• Follow local guidance for COVID 19, and bring a mask to use when you can't separate by 6 feet.

• You must be vaccinated to ride with Alto Velo.

Ride Etiquette:

• Introduce yourself to new riders. If you're a new rider, introduce yourself at the start of the ride.

• Roll out from the start/regroups gently so everyone has a chance to warm up and get going.

• Use hand signals and call out turns, stops, and road obstructions. Repeat the message through the group.

• Mechanicals: relay the message to the front. Help out the impacted rider. Wait for the impacted rider at the next regroup.

• Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. The ride leader will initiate a rotating paceline when the group desires.

• Follow behind the wheel in front to avoid the bunch spilling over the road.

• If you leave a ride early, notify someone so the group doesn't think they lost you.

Ride Safety:

• Riders should carry a medical ID that contains their name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.

• Riders must always wear a helmet. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet on AV rides and riders are discouraged from riding with AV groups if they don't wear a helmet.

• Riders are always responsible for their own safety. If you feel uncomfortable riding with the group, gently move to the rear of the group.

• Look for yourself for cars and other road users, and OBEY TRAFFIC rules. You are responsible.

• Do NOT cross the centerline. You will be asked to leave the ride if you do so.

• If you're new to group riding, make this known to the ride leader and ask for help.

• Protect your front wheel, do not cross wheels.

• Do not make sudden lateral movements at any time.

• Be gentle on brakes so as not to suddenly stop in front of someone.

• No aero bar use.

• No sitting on the top tube for descending.

A-Ride 4-17-2022: Not your usual Pescadero ride

Tomorrow's A ride takes inspiration from the upcoming Pescadero Road Race (!). Before everyone (rightfully) groans about another ride out to Pescadero, note the following key differences:

- We will ride the Pescadero loop clockwise, the direction of the actual race course

- There will be no stop in Pescadero, rather we will take the "North street" detour around town to get from Pescadero road to stage

- The Pescadero loop portion of the ride will start and stop in La Honda by the fire station (water/regroup)

- Everyone will have a Jesus-like rebirth on 84 but first we must die on Haskins

https://www.strava.com/routes/2950143988436485930

ALSO: WEAR YOUR NEW KIT!!

Start: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot
Time: Sunday 9 a.m. Leave at 9:10 a.m.

Non-members:
Alto Velo welcomes non-members to join us on our rides. However, non-members must have a Waiver on file with the club. We are using a new process now, and it is all electronic. There is no need to sign a form, scan it, and email it to the team. Instead, you can use BikeReg. It is free of charge. Use the attached QR Code to initiate the process to sign the waiver and you are good to go for riding with AV for 2022.

Health notes:

• Follow local guidance for COVID 19, and bring a mask to use when you can't separate by 6 feet.

• You must be vaccinated to ride with Alto Velo.

Ride Etiquette:

• Introduce yourself to new riders. If you're a new rider, introduce yourself at the start of the ride.

• Roll out from the start/regroups gently so everyone has a chance to warm up and get going.

• Use hand signals and call out turns, stops, and road obstructions. Repeat the message through the group.

• Mechanicals: relay the message to the front. Help out the impacted rider. Wait for the impacted rider at the next regroup.

• Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. The ride leader will initiate a rotating paceline when the group desires.

• Follow behind the wheel in front to avoid the bunch spilling over the road.

• If you leave a ride early, notify someone so the group doesn't think they lost you.

Ride Safety:

• Riders should carry a medical ID that contains their name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.

• Riders must always wear a helmet. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet on AV rides and riders are discouraged from riding with AV groups if they don't wear a helmet.

• Riders are always responsible for their own safety. If you feel uncomfortable riding with the group, gently move to the rear of the group.

• Look for yourself for cars and other road users, and OBEY TRAFFIC rules. You are responsible.

• Do NOT cross the centerline. You will be asked to leave the ride if you do so.

• If you're new to group riding, make this known to the ride leader and ask for help.

• Protect your front wheel, do not cross wheels.

• Do not make sudden lateral movements at any time.

• Be gentle on brakes so as not to suddenly stop in front of someone.

• No aero bar use.

• No sitting on the top tube for descending.