A Ride
The A rides are led by the Alto Velo Racing Team and feature a hard, consistent pace for 3-5 hours of riding. The Sunday A Ride is the most challenging ride offered by Alto Velo. The Saturday A Ride offers a pace between the Saturday B Ride and the Sunday A Ride and is focused on endurance. Most routes will include shorter options in case you want to join for the first part but have afternoon commitments or don't (yet!) have the fitness to hang in for the whole ride. These rides do not stop often, so two full bottles and plenty of snacks are highly recommended.
Start Point: Summit Bicycles at 392 California Ave in Palo Alto
Start Time:
Saturday A Ride: Meet at 9 a.m. Roll at 9:10 a.m.
Sunday A Ride:
October - May: Meet at 9 a.m. Roll at 9:10 a.m.
June - September: Meet at 8 a.m. Roll at 8:10 a.m.
Pace: Fast. Expect to climb Old La Honda in 21 minutes or less.
Regroups: Rarely. Highly recommended that you know the route and/or download to your head unit.
Example route: https://www.strava.com/routes/10975526
The A Rides are subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules and all participants must sign an annual waiver.
See below for details of the upcoming rides as well as past rides.
A-Ride 10/9 - Women’s Edition
This week’s A ride will be a special edition women's version for our recruiting weekend. We’ll start with an out-and-back on Cañada Rd including the Crystal Springs loop, before climbing up classic Old La Honda and descending the fun and technical Page Mill Road. Soft regroups at the top of Crystal Springs and OLH, and a water stop at Kings/Tripp. We’ll meet at Terun after the ride for some free, delicious pizza! Hope to see you there!
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9am, Leave ~9:15am
Route: 55 miles, 4600 feet - https://www.strava.com/routes/2995388615881152342
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
A-Ride October 1
Let’s welcome October with an A-Ride classic to San Gregorio. We’ll head up Kings (Cam is looking for a leadout), down Tunitas, over Kings, and up West Alpine.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39001514
Starting at Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto at 8 a.m. As usual we’ll have short regroups on climbs and water stops as needed along the route. See you there!
A-Ride 9/25
Now that racing is over it’s time to get back to everyone’s favorite - base miles! This week we will explore the Santa Cruz mountains, riding through Big Basin, Boulder Creek, Empire Grade, and Zayante. Don’t miss the incredible descents out of Big Basin and Felton Empire or the smooth pavement on Zayante road. Given the warm temperatures, we will have several water stops which are marked below. If you plan on attending, please make sure to bring enough calories. I’d recommend at least 2K for the ride and don’t be afraid of being over-prepared. Someone will always appreciate the extra gummy worm 4 hours into the ride.
Route: AV A Ride 9-25-22 | 100.9 miles, 10,000 feet - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41013923
Planned Stops:
Mile 13: Steven’s Canyon Park - Water/Bathroom
Mile 43: Boulder Creek Gas Station - Water/Bathroom/Gas station food
Mile 60.5: Felton Gas Station - Water/Bathroom/Gas station food
Mile 80: Castle Rock Park - Water/Really nice bathrooms
Summary: Foothill > Stevens Creek > RWG > Hwy 9 > Big Basin > Boulder Creek > Jamison Creek > Empire Grade > Felton Empire > Zayante > Skyline > Castle Rock > Skyline > Page Mill > Foothill
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 8 am. Leave 8:10 am (enthusiastically)
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Grant Miller
A-Ride 9/18/22 Cancelled
with 1st rain of season in forecast , I expect roads will be super slick with all the oil accumulated over the last few months. As a result, with a heavy heart, I am cancelling the A ride for this upcoming Sunday . Hopefully, we will ride the following Sunday. Stay safe everyone.
Designated ride leader: Hoss Hayati
A-Ride 9/11/22
Don’t miss this week’s A-Ride, which will feature the celebrated Crystal Springs course, with a climb up famed Old La Honda Road on the way out for good measure. Come enjoy the (hopefully) cooler weather and test your late summer/early fall fitness on OLH and then enjoy practicing some pacelining/rotating as we head north to Crystal Springs, with a lead-out and sprint as we approach 92. We can go as hard as folks want to go on the way back. Feeling strong? Why not take an 11-minute pull on Cañada South? Tired? Feel free to cruise in the draft and then attack on Sand Hill.
As always, we’ll start at Summit in Palo Alto, and then we’ll make our way to Arastradero, Alpine, Portola, up OLH, down 84, out to Crystal Springs (where we can stop for water), down Crystal Springs, up Polhemus, down the bike path, and then Cañada, Mountain Home, Sand Hill, and Foothill as we make our way back to Summit.
Route: AV A Ride 9-11-22 | 52.1 mi Cycling Route on Strava
Summary: Foothill > Old Page Mill > Arastradero > Alpine > Portola > Old La Honda > Skyline > 84 > Maze > Cañada > Skyline > Crystal Springs > Polhemus > Bike Path > Cañada > Mountain Home > Sand Hill > Foothill
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 8 am. Leave 8:10 am (enthusiastically)
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Nat Green
A-Ride 9/04/2022
This week’s A-Ride will feature a few hours riding at stead-state on relatively flat-fast-draftable terrain so those of us racing Giro the following day can save our energy.
We’ll be starting at Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto, then taking foothill to Mt. Eden. From the top we will, depending on the will of the group, return either through Saratoga or back-track to Foothill then continue our journey to Arastradero/Portola Valley where we will head out to Canada and stop for water at the water temple. We’ll flip around there, and head back via Jefferson and Alameda. Pace will be friendly, so if you’ve been A-ride curious but intimidated by challenging routes this will be a great one to join for!
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3001286757844779802
Summary: Foothill > Stevens Creek > Mt. Eden > Foothill > Arastradero > Alpine > Portola > Maze/Olive Hill > Canada > Jefferson > ADLP
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.
Time: 8am. Leave 8:10am (begrudgingly)
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: JJ (John Janetzko)
A-Ride: 8/28/2022
Hi team,
This Sunday we will stay on this side of Skyline and go on a short and spicy ride. Page Mill - Skyline - Black - Montevina - Bohlman. Note that there is a little dirt segment at the top of Montevina that leads to Bohlman. Very doable on a road bike!
Ride Leader: Nico Sandi
Start / End Location
56mi, 6,800ft
Start Time
Meet: 8 AM
Leave: 8:10 AM
See you then!
Nico
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. Because of COVID, there are now multiple forms that must be completed. Blank forms may be found on our website at: https://www.bikereg.com/alto-velo-guest-waiver
Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.
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 victim. Wait for the victim at the next regroup.
Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. 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 Medical ID that contains your name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.
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 center line. 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
A-Ride 8/21/2022 - Big Basin
Fellow riders,
This week we will head to Boulder Creek through Big basin and return through Bear Creek/Skyline . We will have regroups on top of the climbs and try to stay together on flats/rollers.
Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati
Start / End Location
Route
https://www.strava.com/routes/2994000334314125534
Boulder Creek through Big Basin
81 mi, 8,300ft
Start Time
Meet: 8 AM
Leave: 8:10 AM
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. Because of COVID, there are now multiple forms that must be completed. Blank forms may be found on our website at: https://www.bikereg.com/alto-velo-guest-waiver
Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.
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 victim. Wait for the victim at the next regroup.
Ride paceline / 2x2 on the flats. 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 Medical ID that contains your name and emergency contact information. Additional helpful information includes any medical history. Two IDs are preferable.
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 center line. 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
A-Ride 8/14/2022
This week’s A-Ride will take us to San Gregorio, on a loop featuring some classic climbs. We’ll conquer OLH, Skyline to Bear Gulch, and West Alpine.
Starting at Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto, we’ll take Alpine to OLH, then go up Skyline and down Tunitas to San Gregorio, finishing up West Alpine. As usual we’ll have short regroups on climbs and water stops as needed along the route. See you there!
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40517785
Summary: OLH/Skyline/Tunitas/San Gregorio/West Alpine
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.
Time: 8am. Leave 8:10am
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Flo Costa
A-Ride 7/31/2022
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2988621282177280650 (clockwise)
Summary: HWY9 climb, west alpine descent, HWY84 climb and descent, back through PV. Water at Calfire and STP.
Deets: Meet at Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto at 8:00am for a prompt 8:10am roll
Rules: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
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:
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.
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
HWY 1 S - Paceline work, with focus on keeping a smooth, tight, and efficient rotation
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:
Sprint: 20052 mailbox at the top of a small bump on McKean Rd
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!
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.