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 July 9: Pacifica & Bike Hut Classic
The A-Ride this week charges north along Cañada to Skyline, loops around Pacifica down Highway 1, stops in Half Moon Bay and climbs Tunitas Creek. We’ll ride in a pace line along Cañada, Skyline, and Highway 1 and maintain a strong, consistent pace, but be sure to save something in the tank to send it and complete the Bike Hut Classic with your Tunitas PR! Folks will ride back to Summit through Woodside and Portola Valley after descending Kings. We’ll stop for water in Half Moon Bay.
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave in Palo Alto at 8 am Sunday during the summer.
Route: AV A-Ride 7-9-23 | 79.3 mi Cycling Route on Strava
Summary: 80 miles / 6,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > California Ave > Hanover > Stanford > Junipero Serra > Sand Hill > Whiskey Hill > Cañada > Skyline > Sharp Park > Hwy 1 > Tunitas Creek > Kings > Tripp > 84 > Portola > Alpine > Arastradero > Page Mill > Hanover > California Ave > Summit
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: Drew Mathews
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
A-Ride June 25: Big basin Big endurance
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3107067543151376068
Pace: 3-3.5w/kg sustained
Start with two full bottles as our first and only stop is Boulder Creek. Emphasis is on getting long uninterrupted chunks of endurance
Time: Arrive at 9am, leaves promptly at 9:10
A Ride 6/18/23 - HC Climbs
This week’s route will mirror parts of last week’s ride and see us tackle at a tempo(ish) pace (~3.5 w/kg) two of the longer climbs the Peninsula has to offer, Page Mill and Tunitas. Come out and keep your climbing legs sharp in anticipation of the Leesville, Pescadero, and Patterson Pass Road Races. By all means you are welcome to imagine instead that you are preparing to crest Col de la Loze or the Grand Colombier in two to three weeks’ time at Le Tour!
We’ll make this a one-stop ride at The Bike Hut before Tunitas to restock on water and snacks, but this route is short enough that 3 to 4 hours worth of gels and snacks should suffice. After ascending Tunitas, we’ll cruise down Skyline and roll a Dunnigan Hills style paceline down Canada to return to Summit Palo Alto.
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave in Palo Alto at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3103385015904137066
Summary: 70 miles / 6400 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page > Skyline > 84W > La Honda > SG Cutoff > Tunitas > Skyline > 92E > Canada > 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: Conor Austin
A Ride 2023-06-11 - Pescadero
With the exciting news that the Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race is happening on July 22nd, we will preview the (new) course during this week’s A Ride! We will go up Page and down 84 to Pescadero Creek Road, where we’ll head up Haskins Hill before descending to the town of Pescadero for a quick coffee and water stop. We will then head up Highway 1 and 84 to West Alpine before descending Page to return to Summit. .
It’s threshold/PR season so pace will be “spirited” on the major climbs, but we’ll regroup at the top of each (Page, Haskins, West Alpine). If you’re one those people who “doesn’t like to stop during rides” you’re welcome to get some bonus miles by descending and climbing again while we wait. We will ride the descents/flats in a steady pace with the goal of keeping the group together for some paceline practice.
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave in Palo Alto at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3101564877293172602
Summary: 74 miles / 7000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page > Skyline > 84W > Pescadero Creek Road > Hwy1 > 84W > West Alpine > Page > 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: Jeremy Besmer
A Ride - 6.4.23 - Lexington Climbs
Love climbing? Love suffering? Need an excuse to skip work Monday?
For this week’s A Ride we’ll be tackling some less frequented climbs around Lexington Reservoir (whose volume has doubled since last year). On the menu is Soda Springs, Montevina, and Hwy 9. We’ll regroup at the top of every climb so that everyone can go at their own pace. Water stops at Los Gatos (mi 23) and Saratoga (mi 51). Couple gravel sectors and technical descents so come prepared. Hope to see you there!
Soda Springs - 5 mi at 9%
Montevina - 3.5 mi at 9%
Hwy 9 - 5.5 mi at 6.5%
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43085576
Summary: 77 mi / 9600 ft
Foothill > Stevens Canyon > Eden > Saratoga > Los Gatos Creek Trail > Soda Springs > Montevina > Bohlman > 9 > Skyline > Page Mill
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: Flo Costa
A Ride 2023-05-28: HMB + Pescadero
This week the A-Ride will head back to Half Moon Bay. We will plan to climb Haskins before West Alpine, but may shortcut via 84 if needed. Looking forward to seeing folks this weekend!
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3078929319062591528
Summary: 86 miles / 8,200 feet: Summit Bicycles > Alpine > Portola > Kings > Tunitas > Lobitos > Higgins > HMB > Hwy 1 > Haskins > West Alpine > 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: Will Hakim
A Ride - 5.21.23.Hillsborough & Kings
Hi guys, A ride this weekend will go to Hillsborough for a nice tour of these lovely streets. Fast pace line on Canada Road on both ways, and finishing with a last effort on Kings, before nicely rolling home!
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3094044192217046462
Route Summary: Portola --> Canada Rd --> Hillsborough tour --> Crystal Spring --> Canada --> Kings Climb --> Home
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:10 am sharp.
Ride etiquette: Rules
Ride Leader: Andrea Cloarec
A Ride - 5.14.23
As a part of our cycling club, we are excited to invite you to our upcoming group ride. The ride will take place on May 14th, and we will be meeting at Palo Alto Summit Bicycles. The ride should take about 4 hours.
Our plan for the ride is to maintain a pace of 3 w/kg on the flats. This will be a moderate pace to keep the group together. However, we also understand that each rider has their own fitness level and training preferences. Therefore, we want to give you the freedom to do your own workout on the climbs. You are welcome to push harder and climb at your own pace, and we will regroup at the top of each climb.
This will be an excellent opportunity for us to come together as a community, socialize, and have some fun on the bike. All levels of riders are welcome to join us, as long as you can maintain the pace of 3 w/kg on the flats. Our group is supportive, friendly, and inclusive, and we always welcome new members.
(This was written by ChatGPT.)
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Route: Strava Route
Route Summary: page --> w alpine --> 84 --> tunitas --> kings --> pv
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:10 am sharp.
Ride etiquette: Rules
Ride Leader: Austin King
A-Ride 5.7.2023
This week's A-Ride will head to Big Basin for a loop of 236 and China Grade, heading out via Redwood Gulch and HWY 9, and heading back up and down 9 (skipping the Redwood Gulch descent on the way back), for an efficient 7,600 feet of climbing in 77 miles. Let’s keep the pace hard and steady, with quick regroups at the top of the climbs, and try to stay reasonably close together on the descents. We’ll stop for water somewhere on 236, or if those aren’t working, make a quick detour to the fire station at Jamison Creek Rd.
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Route: AV A-Ride 5-7-23 | 77.1 mi Cycling Route on Strava
Route Summary: California/Hanover/Page Mill/Foothill/Stevens Canyon/Redwood Gulch/HWY 9/236/China Grade/HWY 9/Pierce/Mt. Eden/Stevens Canyon/Foothill/Page Mill/Hanover/California
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:10 am sharp.
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Nat Green
A Ride 4.30.2023
This week's A-Ride follows up Berkeley Hills Road Race with some more hills, because sure, why not. We’ll hit some classics including Kings and HWY9.
I plan to be completely gassed from Saturday, so we’ll keep it Z2 on the flats, tempo on the climbs. You can go harder but we’ll regroup at the top of Kings.
Reminder: A-ride meets at Summit Bicycles on California Ave. in Palo Alto at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3086817086950522694
Route Summary: Arastradero/Portola/King's/Skyline to HWY 9, Down Foothill. Quick water stop at Alice’s.
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto.
Time: 9 am. Leave 9:10am. You can also catch us on Page Mill, but we won't be stopping.
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Ian Twamley
A Ride-04.23.2023- Happy Valley & Zayante
Alto Velo A ride will explore some less travelled roads in Santa Cruz mountains this week . We will head to Los Gatos and through bike trail find our way to Lexington reservoir and Santa Cruz mountains. We will ride through beautiful Happy Valley before we stop for coffee in Scotts Valley.
Pace will be 2.5-3W/kg on flats, 3-4.5 W/kg on climbs. Feel free to hammer the climbs but we will regroup at the top. Please maintain a consistent pace on flats and rollers. Our goal is to stay together as a group. Note that the longest climb with some steep segments comes at the end.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2956343942584509546
Summary: 89 miles / 8500 feet: Summit Bicycles > Foothill > Log Gatos > Lexington> Old Santa Cruz Hwy> Summit Road > Soquel San Jose Rd > Laurel Glen Rd >Mountain View Rd > Branciforte Dr (Happy valley) > Granite Valley Rd > Scotts valley > Mt. herman Rd > Zayante Rd > 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: Hoss Hayati
A Ride 2023-04-16 Pescadero
A ride is going to the coast again this week! We will go up Page and down 84 to San Gregorio, before heading to Pescadero for a quick coffee and water stop. We will then go back to Summit up West Alpine and down Page.
Pace will be 2.5-3W/kg on flats, 3-4W/kg on climbs. We may organize one or two climb segment challenges (probably Haskins, and another segment) to get legs ready for Sea Otter and Berkeley Road Race. We will regroup at the top of each major climb (Page / Haskins / West Alpine) and wait for the whole group, so participation to these challenges is optional.
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3081987054517961808
Summary: 72 miles / 6800 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page > Skyline > 84W > HW1 > Pescadero Road > Haskins > West Alpine > 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: Maxime Cauchois
A Ride 2023-04-09
After a few weeks heading south, this week the A-Ride will head back to Half Moon Bay. We will plan to climb Haskins before West Alpine, but may shortcut via 84 if needed. Looking forward to seeing folks this weekend!
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3078929319062591528
Summary: 86 miles / 8,200 feet: Summit Bicycles > Alpine > Portola > Kings > Tunitas > Lobitos > Higgins > HMB > Hwy 1 > Haskins > West Alpine > 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: Will Hakim
A Ride 2023-04-02 Big Basin
Good weather has finally returned to the Bay Area. We will head to Big Basin and have a rest stop at Boulder Creek this weekend. If Big Basin is still closed due to storm damage, we will go straight down Hwy 9 to Boulder Creek.
Pace will be (~3.5-4.5 w/kg) on climbs and 2.5-3 w/kg on flats with regroups after the major climbs and descents. Hope to see you there!
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3076770897631125824
Summary: 81 miles / 8,400 feet: Summit Bicycles > Foothill > RWG > Hwy9 > Big Basin > Boulder Creek > Bear Creek > Skyline > Page > 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: Jack Liu
A Ride 2023-03-26-Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Most of you are probably aware of numerous road closures in bay area. Page & W-Alpine seem though have held up until now! The A-ride this week takes us to Pescadero through the lovely Hwy1/Gazos Creek/Cloverdale loop. We will be riding on a less travelled segment of Hwy 1 instead of Stage road with great views of the ocean and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. We may have to improvise as we ride depending on road conditions! Please be flexible.
Pace will be (~3.5-4 w/kg) on climbs and 2.5-3 w/kg on flats with regroups after our main climbs and main descents. The roads will be wet and covered in trash, so please be cautious on descending and when pacelining.
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3074103485810552458
Summary: 80 miles / 7,300 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page > W-Alpine > 84 > Hwy1 > Gazos/Cloverdale > Pescadero > Haskings > W_Alpine> Page> 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: Hoss Hayati
A Ride 2023-03-19 - Fun in the Foothills
On this week’s A-ride, we’ll have fun in the foothills as we stick to the lower elevations again due to the high likelihood of wet roads. Pace will be steady endurance (~2.5 w/kg) with regroups after our main climbs and a level of caution on descents appropriate for the road conditions. Come dressed for the weather and it should be a good time! I’m personally excited to get a chance to test out my new Palomar Jacket that just arrived with our first Eliel kit order.
Route: AVA Ride: 2023-03-19
Summary: 70 miles / 4,800 feet: Summit Bicycles > Mt. Eden > Saratoga > Rancho San Antonio > Los Altos Hills > Portola Valley > Woodside > Jefferson > Woodside > Portola Valley > 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: Michael Fryar
A Ride 2023-03-12 - Santa Teresa
Spring forward with the A ride this week as we head south to The Valley of Heart’s Delight and Santa Teresa County Park. With luck, it won’t be raining—but the roads will surely be wet, so bring a fender. If the forecast worsens, an update will be posted noting that the ride is cancelled.
Pace will be steady endurance (~2.5 w/kg) with a goal of working together as a group. We’ll regroup after our three main climbs (Kennedy, Santa Teresa, Shannon). Bring two full bottles and we can top off in Saratoga, if needed.
Route: AVA Ride: 2023-03-12
Summary: 66 miles / 3,300 feet: Summit Bicycles > Saratoga > Kennedy > Santa Teresa > Shannon > Saratoga > Summit Bicycles
Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto
Time: Meet 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Leave 9:10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (Don’t forget we spring forward!)
Ride etiquette: https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
Ride Leader: Michael Fryar
3/5 A-Ride Pacifica aka Wolfpack Route (B’s Birthday Bike Bash)
This Sunday March 5th, join me and celebrate my 50th Birthday by riding with me to Pacifica down the 1 and up Tunitas and maybe a PR!
I have a reservation for Alpine Inn from 2:30 to 4:30, so if you cannot make the ride, you are welcome to meet us there at 2:30.
Plan B for a shorter ride is to turn around at Sharp Park and roll back along Sawyer Camp Trail since there will be less of you, and still plan to meet at 2:30 at Alpine Inn.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3065449310018900192
Standard group ride stuff. DBAA.
Summit 9. Leave 9:10.
Revised A Ride 2/26 - Z1/2 Cañada
Andre and Papouille are stuck in the snowy depths of Mount Doom. Luckily, Nico and Austin have courageously accepted the challenge of A ride leaders. We will lead a Z2 paced ride through classic Cañada and Portola Loop. 2.5-3 w/kg. No TT bikes allowed.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3064747993145311116
Normal group ride stuff. DBAA.
Summit 9. Leave 9:10.