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 1/8/23
The forecast calls for rain, but winds are looking manageable, so as of now A-Ride is ON for this week. Plan is to re-attempt Cam's New Years ride, but we will adjust if needed pending road and weather conditions.
We’ll keep the climbs short until we reach Haskins around mile 80; bring lots of food so you don’t join the ranks of AV’ers who have bonked on West Alpine. We will stop for water in HMB at mile 25 and again the second time through Pescadero at mile 70. Otherwise plan for rolling regroups after the shorter climbs along the coast. Plan is still to have a hard, steady pace, though there will be plenty of skippable climbs and bailout options should the weather take a turn for the worse.
Route: Save the best for Last https://www.strava.com/routes/3043785534596368578
Summary: 100 miles / 9,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Whiskey > Cañada > 92 > Higgins > Lobitos CCW > 1 > Stage > Bean Hollow > 1 > Gazos Creek > Haskins > West Alpine > Page
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: Ian Twamley
A-Ride 1/1/23
After what looks to be a rainy Saturday, the A ride will start 2023 by heading to the coast. We’ll keep the climbs short until we reach Haskins around mile 80; bring lots of food so you don’t join the ranks of AV’ers who have bonked on West Alpine. We will stop for water in HMB at mile 25 and again the second time through Pescadero at mile 70. Otherwise plan for rolling regroups after the shorter climbs along the coast. This will be a hard, steady pace, though there will be plenty of skippable climbs and bailout options if your NYE festivities catch up to you at some point during the ride.
Route: Save the best for Last https://www.strava.com/routes/3043785534596368578
Summary: 100 miles / 9,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Whiskey > Cañada > 92 > Higgins > Lobitos CCW > 1 > Stage > Bean Hollow > 1 > Gazos Creek > Haskins > West Alpine > Page
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: Cameron O’Reilly
A-Ride 12/25
The last A ride of 2022 will take advantage of some quiet roads to visit Big Basin and Zayante. Plan for minimal stops, probably just for water since I’m not sure what will be open on Christmas day. This will be a hard, steady pace, so you should bring a lot of food. If you aren’t free for the entire adventure, please join for what you can!
Route: Boulder Creek XXL https://www.strava.com/routes/3035813513744284414
Summary: 95 miles / 9,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page > 35 > 9 > 236 > 9 > Zayante > Bear Creek > 35 > 9 > Pierce > Foothill
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: Cameron O’Reilly
A-Ride 12/18- World Cup Edition-Late start at 10:00!
Looking forward to the World Cup Finale? To avoid the conflict, we will start the A ride at 10:00 am this week to allow avid fans be able to watch the final match of the world cup!
This week's A ride takes us to Pigeon lighthouse through the Cloverdale road. We will be doing sweet-spot on two long climbs (Page & Tunitas) and tempo on the flats. We regroup at top of the climbs and try to stay together in flat/rollers. We'll have one stop for food/water in Pescadero (at mile 45).
Route: AV A-12.18.2022
There are multiple ways to cut this ride shorter including this one in case you need to be back home earlier: shortcut alternative
Summary (84 miles, 8,200 ft): Summit Bicycles > Pagemill > W-Alpine > Haskins > Cloverdale > 1 > Bean Hollow> Pescadero > Stage > 1 > Tunitas> Starhill > Swett > Skyline > 84 > Woodside > Sandhill > Summit Bicycles
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: Meet 10:00 a.m., Leave 10:10 a.m.
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati
A-Ride 12/11
This Sunday’s A ride will offer flat base miles…supersized!! With weather forecasts predicting no rain after 6am, expect a great time of pacelines and rolling country roads.
Route: AV A Ride 12/11/22
Summary: Summit Bicycles > Kennedy > SJBC Blue Train Loop > Shannon > 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: Daniel Fonyo
A-Ride 12/4
‘Tis the season to be hauling it down Highway 1. At least I think that’s how the song goes. Come on A-Ride this Sunday for some fun base miles!
Please note that there’s a chance of rain in the forecast. I think this route will be fun and safe even in light rain, but if the rain looks like it’ll be heavier, I may change the route to something flatter. I’ll send out a new email if that’s the case.
Route: AV A Ride 12/4/22
Summary: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Cañada > Skyline > Sharp Park > 1 > 84 > Sand Hill > 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: George Wehner
A-Ride 11/27
Post-Thanksgiving blues got you down? Nothing Kings Mountain, Tunitas, and artichoke bread in Half Moon Bay can’t fix!
Join the A-Ride this Sunday for base miles and big smiles.
Route: AV A Ride 11/27/22
Summary: Summit Bicycles > Kings > Skyline > 92 > Highway 1 > Tunitas > Skyline > 84 > 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: Peter Ambiel
A-Ride 11/20
This week’s A-Ride will take in the classic Reverse Pescadero route. Come join us as we bank yet more base miles and take on some of the most beautiful climbs on the peninsula!
Route: AV A-Ride 2022-11-20
Summary: Summit Bicycles > OLH > 84 > Stage > Pescadero > Haskins > West Alpine > Page Mill > Summit Bicycles
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9 a.m. Leave 9:10 a.m.
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Will Hakim
A-Ride 11/13
Have you ever wanted to show your friends how big your FTP is? If so, come join this week’s A Ride where we tackle some of the toughest and most beautiful climbs in the Bay Area. During the ride we will target several segments where you can go for a top 10 on Strava or, more importantly, bragging rights over everyone else who showed up.
Mt Eden - https://www.strava.com/segments/642780
RWG to Skyline - https://www.strava.com/segments/612749
Soda Springs - https://www.strava.com/segments/7938721
Montevina - https://www.strava.com/segments/299849
In addition to the climbs, there are several extremely fast, twisty, and fun descents down Black Road, Soda Springs, and Bohlman. Make sure your brake pads are in good condition!
The route has several jumping off points in case you are having too much fun and want to go home early. You can easily loop back to the start from Saratoga Gap by taking Skyline to Page Mill or take the gravel connector to downtown Los Gatos after Black/Soda Springs.
Route: AV A Ride 2022-11-13 | 78.66 miles | 9,856ft Elevation Gain
Recommended Nutrition: 1,500-2,000 calories. This is a no-bonk ride!
Summary: Summit Bikes > Foothill > Stevens Canyon > Mt Eden > Pierce > Hwy 9 > Skyline > Castle Rock (Water) > Black > Soda Springs > Montevina > Bohlman > Saratoga (Water/Food) > Foothill > Summit
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9 a.m. Leave 9:10 a.m.
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Grant Miller
A-Ride 11/06
This week the A-Ride heads north along Cañada/Skyline to Sharp Park/Pacifica and returns via Highway 1 and Highway 84. Since this route is flatter, we’ll focus on working together in pacelines. Our halfway point will be Half Moon Bay, where we’ll stop to refuel. Come join if you’d like to bank some base miles!
Route: AV A-Ride 2022-11-06 | 84.7 mi Cycling Route on Strava
Summary: Summit Bicycles > California > Hanover > Stanford > Junipero Serra > Sand Hill > Whiskey Hill > Cañada > Skyline > Sharp Park > Highway 1 > Stage Rd > Highway 84 > Portola > Alpine > Arastradero > Page Mill > Old Page Mill > Page Mill > Hanover > California > Summit Bicycles
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9 a.m. Leave 9:10 a.m.
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Michael Fryar
A-Ride 10/30
We’ll start at Summit in Palo Alto, then we’ll head out on crystal springs route with a water stop at crystal springs. This is a flatter course where we can practice some pace lining, with some sprints towards the end of Cañada.
Route: AV A Ride 10-26-22 | 48.9 mi Cycling Route on Strava
Summary: Foothill > Old Page Mill > Arastradero > Alpine > Portola > Cañada > Skyline > Crystal Springs > Polhemus > Bike Path > Cañada > woodside > Kings mountain RD > Tripp > Woodside > Portola > Alpine > Foothill > Campus > Summit Bicycles
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:10 am (enthusiastically)
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Brian Shreeve
A-Ride 10/23 - Recruiting Ride
Please join us on Sunday — and invite others to join us — for our annual men’s team recruiting ride (women are of course welcome to join as well). We will meet at Summit and then head out to OLH for those who want to take a crack at this week’s Low-Key Hillclimb (or just want to go for a PR - or enjoy the scenery), descend WOLH, come back up 84 and regroup at Alice’s to refill water bottles (for those who want to take OLH easy, feel free to just turn right on Skyline at the top of OLH and meet us at Alice’s without the WOLH/84 loop). We’ll then descend 84 and head out to Cañada northbound via Tripp/Kings, likely maintaining a fast pace the rest of the way, as we loop back on Crystal Springs/Polhemus/Bike Path and Cañada southbound, before navigating back to Summit via Sand Hill and Junipero Serra. If you find yourself dazzled by the talent, speed, friendliness, or any other trait or combination of traits of the riders you meet on the ride, and are considering joining the racing team, please fill out an application for the 2023 season (link below). We hope to see everyone there!
Route: A-Ride 10-23-22 | 54.1 mi Cycling Route on Strava
Planned Stops:
Mile 19ish: Alice’s
(Additional stops as needed)
Summary: Summit Bicycles PA > California > Hanover > Stanford > Old Page Mill > Arastradero > Alpine > Portola > OLH > WOLH > 84 > Tripp > Kings > Maze > Cañada > Skyline > Crystal Springs > Polhemus > Bike Path > Cañada > Whiskey HIll > Sand Hill > Junipero Serra > Stanford > Hanover > California > Summit Bicycles PA
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:10 am
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Nat Green
Recruiting Application Link: https://forms.gle/VpQYhSR7JkcBwaNh8
A-Ride 10/16
We’re headed to Half Moon Bay this week for solid base climbing miles. We’ll plan on at least two to three stops (HMB, Kings/Tripp Intersection, and in PV if necessary). The pace will be Z2 and conversational. We’ll have short regroups at the tops of climbs for those who would like to push on a bit harder up Kings or Tunitas. If you plan on attending, please make sure to bring an extra layer or two if the fog doesn’t let up.
Route: AV A Ride 10-16-22 | 65 miles, 6,200 feet - https://www.strava.com/routes/3012558235543594862
Planned Stops:
Mile 26ish: HMB - Water/Bathroom
Mile 52ish: Kings/Tripp - Water
Summary: Summit Bicycles PA > Kings > HMB > Higgins > Purisma Creek > Lobitos > Tunitas > Kings > Tripp > PV > Summit Bicycles PA
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:15 am
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Conor Austin
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