AV A Ride - 12.24.23 OLH

As the holiday spirit fills the air, let's pedal into Christmas Eve with joy and camaraderie! 🎅🚲 Join us for a merry and endurance bicycle ride on Sunday, December 24th, as we embrace the festive vibes and create unforgettable memories together. This is a shorter ride than normal so we can return to our families but includes a stop at village bakery for some treats.

This will be an endurance ride. Riders are welcome to go as hard as they wish on the climb where we will regroup at the top. But we expect to stay together on shorter climbs, flats and rollers.  We will also regroup after long descents.

• Check your bike and make sure it is in good condition.

• Please respect the pace set by the ride leader.

• Please be careful on the descents. Many corners are wet.

• We aim to keep a steady pace,  moving and avoid long stops.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3173091836874210040

Summary: 30 miles/ 2400 feet: Summit Bicycles > old page > arastradero > OLH > Woodside Rd > Village Bakery >  Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Brian Shreeve

AV A Ride- 12.17.23 Big Basin

With the forecast improving for Sunday, I am optimistic we can make it to Big Basin. I will check the forecast again Saturday night and send an update if necessary.

This will be an endurance ride. The pace will be ~ 3-3.5 w/kg on flats/rollers. Riders are welcome to go as hard as they wish on the two longer climbs (Pagemill and Bear Creek) where we will regroup at the top. But we expect to stay together on shorter climbs, flats and rollers. We will also regroup after long descents.

• Check your bike and make sure it is in good condition.

• Please respect the pace set by the ride leader.

• Please be careful on the descents. Many corners are wet.

• We aim to keep a steady pace, moving and avoid long stops.

We will have 2 stops for food and water:

20 min stop in Boulder Creek (mile 42)

5 min stop in Castle rock for water (mile 59)

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3170802281162320464

Summary: 80 miles/ 8200 feet: Summit Bicycles > old page > page > skyline > 9 > 236> Boulder Creek > Bear creek>skyline > 9 > RWG > Stevens Canyon> Foothill

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati

A Ride - 12.10.23 - Montebello, RWG, WOLH

Dear Alto Velo Members,

Get ready to saddle up and conquer some iconic climbs this Sunday in our highly anticipated inclusive group ride! We're excited to announce a challenging yet thrilling route that promises breathtaking views and a shared sense of accomplishment.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45125021

Summary: 65 mi / 7200 ft

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 a.m., Leave 9:10 a.m.

Ride Leader: Flo Costa

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

Route Highlights:

1. Montebello

2. Redwood Gulch and Hwy 9

3. 84 and West Old La Honda

Description:

This ride is designed to accommodate cyclists of all levels, so whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, there's a place for you in this adventure. We understand that everyone has their own pace on the climbs, and that's absolutely okay. Expect a fast pace, but ride at a speed that's comfortable for you. We'll regroup at the top of each climb to ensure no one gets left behind.

While the climbs will test our fortitude, the flats will provide a steady pace for some well-deserved recovery. It's all about enjoying the ride together and fostering a sense of community.

We've planned a crucial water stop at the top of Page Mill to keep everyone hydrated and fueled for the journey ahead. Please ensure you have enough water bottles for the ride.

This is more than just a ride; it's an opportunity to come together, challenge ourselves, and revel in the camaraderie of our fantastic bike community.

So, mark your calendars, check your gear, and join us for a memorable ride this Sunday. Let's conquer those climbs and create lasting memories on two wheels!

See you on the road!

Best regards,

Flo

AV A Ride 12/03/23 - Endurance Century-Eureka Canyon

This week’s A Ride will take us to Eureka Canyon through RWG/Hwy 9 to explore another beautiful corner of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

This will be a long endurance ride. The pace will be ~ 3 w/kg on flats/rollers. Riders are welcome to hammer the climbs where we will regroup at the top. We will also regroup after long descents.

• Check your bike and make sure it is in good shape. Not pleasant to be abandoned on the other side of mountains on a short December day.

• Please respect the pace set by the ride leader.

• Please be careful on the descents. There is already gravel on the road from recent rains.

We will aim to stay together in flats and rollers. We want to keep a steady pace, moving and avoid long stops.

We will have 3 stops for food and water:

• 5 min stop in Castle Rock (Mile 22)

• 20 min stop in Soquel (Mile 51)

• 10 min stop in Summit Store (mile 78, too short to order a sandwich)

Route:  https://www.strava.com/routes/3164843744338425698

Summary: 110 miles/ 9300 feet: Summit Bicycles > Foothill > Stevens Canyon > RWG > 9 > 35> Black Rd > Lexington>Old Santa Cruz Hyw >Summit > Soquel San Jose rd > Soquel Dr > Trout Gulch> Valencia > Day Valley Rd > Hames > Eureka Canyon Rd > Highland Hyw > Old Sanat Cruz > Alma Bridge rd > Los Gatos Bike Trail > Saratoga > Foothill

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati

A Ride 11/26/23 - To Pacifica, Hwy1, Tunitas

This week A ride, we'll enjoy some speed and working on the paceline up to Pacifica (canada Road - Skyline Road), down the coast Hwy 1 to finish with Tunitas climb where people can have fun with the energy left.  Paceline on the flat at 4-4.5W/kg at the front (just the guy at the front, behind will be way easier and enjoyable), Tunitas climb at your liking. The more we are, the less we work!
Water/coffee stops at Kizler coffee, Pacifica (mile 33). And Bike Hut (mile 57) before climbing Tunitas and rolling back down Palo Alto!

Possibility for people from SF to join the ride near Pacifica where we’ll U turn back to Highway 1.

We will have 2 stops for food and water:

• 10 min stop in Pacifica, Kizler coffee (Mile 33)

• 5-10 min stop at Bike Hut (Mile 57)

https://www.strava.com/routes/3161803380969343142

Summary: 84 miles/ 6500 feet: Summit Bicycles > Canada Road > Skyline > Pacifica > Hwy 1 > Bike Hut> Tunitas > Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Andrea Cloarec

A Ride 11/19/23 - OLH + Alpine Rd + Hwy 9

Join us for the weekly A ride! This week we will go up Old La Honda, grab water at the Trading Post, head down Hwy 84 to Pescadero Rd, climb up West Alpine Rd, go south on Skyline to Hwy 9, turn on Pierce Rd, and make our way back to Summit in Palo Alto.

Start: Sunday 11/19 9:00am from Summit Bicycles at 392 California Ave in Palo Alto, rolling at 9:10am

Pace: 3 w/kg on flats, 3.5-4 w/kg on climbs. Fast. Expect to climb Old La Honda in 21 minutes or less

Route: See the Strava route here.

A Ride 11/12/23 - Page Mill LKHC + Big Basin

Route: 83.36 miles, 7,976ft climbing: https://www.strava.com/routes/3157159332906479950

This week’s A-Ride will start off with a bang as we take on the Low-Key Hill Climb for the week of Page Mill. As with any A-Ride, riders are free to go at their own pace on the climb and we will do a full regroup at the top. Cam is looking lonely on the leaderboards so it’s time to add some more AV riders to the top 10. If you haven’t experienced it before, this will be a great opportunity to see what it’s like to take on a big climb with a fast group of riders. We guarantee you will set your PR or your club fees are refunded (pending board approval).

After getting that out of the way, we will continue at an endurance pace (if you can’t talk to the person next to you you’re going too hard) for the rest of the ride as we take in Big Basin, Bear Creek, a freshly paved Summit Road, and a ripping descent down Black Road.

Water stops at Jamison Creek Fire Station (Mile 40) and Los Gatos (Mile 63).

Please make sure your equipment (esp TIRES and brakes) are in excellent condition. This is not the best time to be testing whether that last wear bar is really worn out, especially since we will be riding a bit of gravel. If you have tubeless, make sure your sealant is topped off.

AV A Ride 11/05/23 - Endurance Century-Bonny Doon & Zayante

This week’s A Ride will take us to small coastal town of Daven Port through Pescadero and returns through some of the most scenic roads in Santa Cruz Mountains.

This will be a long endurance ride (to give you an idea expect the page mill climb will take 45 to 48 min). The pace will be ~ 3 w/kg on flats/rollers. Riders are welcome to hammer the climbs where we will regroup at the top.

Please respect the pace set by ride leader. If you like a faster pace, you are welcome to leave 5 minutes earlier, but if you start with ride leader, I advice not to create chaos.

We will aim to stay together in flats and rollers. This route include great sections to practice pace lining. At the same time, this is a long route for a short fall day, so we want to be keep moving and avoid unnecessary delays.

We will have 3 stops for food and water:

• 10 min stop in Pescadero (Mile 31)

• 20 min stop in Felton (Mile 67)

• 10 min stop in Los Gatos (mile 84)

Route:  https://www.strava.com/routes/3154831385120810708

Summary: 105 miles/ 9600 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page > West Alpine > Haskins > Pescadero > Cloverdale> Gazod Creek > Bonny Doon> Icecream garde > Felton > Zayante > Bear Creek > Los Gatos trail > Saratoga > Prospect > Foothill

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati

A Ride 2023-10-22 - Low-Key West Alpine

This Sunday’s A Ride will head up Kings then descend via Skyline and 84 to West Alpine, this week’s Low-Key Hillclimbs segment. Riders will then have the option to descend Page Mill or add on extra miles by heading back via Skyline, 9, Pierce, Mt. Eden, Stevens Canyon, and Foothill Expressway. We’ll regroup at the top of Kings, the bottom of 84, and the top of West Alpine, where we’ll get water at the nature center. If needed, we can stop again for water on Stevens Canyon. It should be a great way to spend a fall Sunday.

Route: AVA Ride: 2023-10-22

Summary: 64 miles / 6,500 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Whiskey Hill > Kings > Skyline > 84 > West Alpine > Water > Skyline > 9 > Pierce > Mt. Eden > Stevens Canyon > Foothill > 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

AV A Ride 11/8/23 - OLH, Pescadero, West Alpine

This week's ride will start from Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto and immediately head up Old La Honda climb and then descend 84 all the way to the coast where we will head south to Pescadero.  We can stop for water here if needed (right around halfway point). Next we will climb west alpine all the way up to Skyline and then descend Page Mill back into Palo Alto. Feel free to make the two main climbs as hard as you want but lets be civilized and stay together the rest of the ride.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3144794392278624264 

Summary: 64 miles / 6,050 feet: Summit Bicycles > OLH > 84 > 1 > West Alpine > Page Mill > Palo Alto

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 a.m., Leave 9:10 a.m Note the A ride will now start at 9am for the Fall and Winter

Water stops: Pescadero

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

Ride Leader: Jon Wells

AV A Ride 10/01/23 - Coastal Hills

This week’s A ride is also the first of our three Alto Velo Racing Team recruiting rides for the 2024 season! This recruiting ride will be our typical A ride pace so if you’re looking for an opportunity to hammer, this is the one. More info on our other recruiting rides here and you can apply to Alto Velo Racing Team here.

The route will take us up Kings, over Skyline, and down 92 to Half Moon Bay. We’ll have a quick stop for water before enjoying the rolling hills of Higgins and Lobitos. We will make another quick stop at the Bike Hut, then paceline up 84 and WOLH in search of some K/QOM’s. The route takes you all the way back to Summit, but some of us (myself included) will stop at Alpine Inn for some food and drinks after the ride.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3139270961876513154

Summary: 77 miles / 7,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Kings > 35 > 92 > Higgins > Lobitos > 84 > WOLH > 84 > Portola

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 a.m., Leave 9:10 a.m Note the A ride will now start at 9am for the Fall and Winter

Water stops: Half Moon Bay, Bike Hut

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

Ride Leader: Cameron O’Reilly

A-Ride 2023-09-24-Page, OLH, Skyline

This week’s A Ride will start with going up Page Mill and down Alpine to the other side. We’ll immediately climb back up OLH up to Skyline. From there we’ll take Skyline, go down the 92, and ride back on Cañada.

Regroups at the top of Page Mill, OLH, and bottom of 92. See you there!

Route:  Strava route

Summary: 63 miles / 6200 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page Mill > W OLH > Skyline > 92 > Cañada

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 8 AM, Leave 8:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Daniel

AV A Ride 9/17/23 - Kings, 92, HMB, Tunitas, Swett

This week’s A Ride will lead us to the nice coastal town of Half-Moon Bay, climbing Kings Mountain and decscending 92 along the way. After a short coffee stop in HMB, we will paceline HW1 until Tunitas and add a slight twist towards the top, going up Swett road until Skyline.

The pace will be real 3-3.3 W/kg everywhere (sorry but my coach likes zone 2 endurance rides), with people welcome to go as hard as they like on Kings and Tunitas, where we will regroup at the top. We will aim to stay together outside of these two climbs and maintain a steady (i.e. not surgy) pace, especially between Kings and HMB and on the HW1 stretch. Hope to see you on Sunday!

Route:  https://www.strava.com/routes/3137803166324601864

Summary: 59 miles / 5,700 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Manzanita > 84 > Kings (Regroup at top) > Skyline > 92 > Half-Moon Bay (Coffee) > Tunitas > Swett (Regroup at top) > 84 > Sand Hill > Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 8 AM, Leave 8:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Maxime Cauchois

AV A Ride 9/10/23 - RWG, Hwy 9, Hwy 35, Cañada

This week’s A Ride will be a bit different than usual. We will climb Redwood Gulch to Hwy 9 and then head up to 92 via Skyline/35. We will regroup at the top of 9 before seeing how fast we can ride the 25 mile stretch of Skyline. With no major climbs along 35, we won’t plan to regroup again until we reach the bottom of 92. Temperatures are starting to fall, so this ride should be possible without stopping for water. However, we will pass through Woodside at mile 56 if anyone needs to fill up. If anyone wants extra mileage, we can tack on some flat miles riding out and back on Foothill toward Cupertino.

Route:  https://www.strava.com/routes/3134871534375831104

Summary: 64 miles / 5,700 feet: Summit Bicycles > Yale > California > Hanover > Hillview > Foothill > Stevens Canyon > Redwood Gulch > Hwy 9 (regroup at top) > Hwy 35/Skyline > 92 (regroup at bottom) > Cañada > Mountain Home > Manzanita > Sand Hill > Santa Cruz > Junipero Serra > Campus > Bowdoin > Stanford > Yale > Cambridge

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 8 AM, Leave 8:05 AM

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

Ride Leader: Andrew Ernst

AV A Ride 9/03/23 - Kings, Tunitas, 84,W. Alpine, Hwy 9

This week’s A ride wakes you up on Kings, refreshes you on Tunitas, bakes you on W. Alpine, invigorates you on Highway 9, and rests you comfortably back at Summit Bicycles. Planned pace shall be 2.5-3.5 w/kg.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3132382593097348672

Summary: 71 miles / 7,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Kings > Tunitas > 84 > W Alpine > Skyline >  Hwy 9 > Pierce > Mt. Eden > Foothill > Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 8 a.m., Leave 8:10 a.m.

Water stops: Bike Hut, W. Alpine/ Skyline

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

Ride Leader: Peter Ambiel

A Ride 2023-08-27 Pacifica - Tunitas

This week’s A Ride will head to Pacifica and back home over Tunitas. We will stop at Devil’s Slide and/or Half Moon Bay for quick water refills. We’ll work together to keep a steady endurance pace on the flats and regroup after Tunitas. Hoping for some ripping tailwinds on HWY1!

Route: AVA Ride: 2023-08-27

Summary: 80 miles / 5,900 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Cañada > Skyline > Sharp Park > HWY1 > Tunitas > Kings > Loop > Arrastradero > Summit Bicycles

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: Nico Sandi

A Ride 2023-08-20 - OLH - Pescadero - W. Alpine

This week’s A Ride will head up Old La Honda, then descend to Pescadero via Sky Londa, 84, and Pescadero Creek Road. After refueling in Pescadero, we’ll begin looping back via Stage Road and 84. We’ll complete our figure eight by climbing West Alpine and descending Page Mill. We’ll work together to keep a steady endurance pace on the flats and regroup after our main climbs. It should be a beautiful day on beautiful roads!

Route: AVA Ride: 2023-08-20

Summary: 68 miles / 6,500 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Old La Honda > Skyline > 84 > Haskins > Pescadero (water stop) > Stage > 84 > West Alpine > Page Mill > Summit Bicycles

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: Michael Fryar

A-Ride 2023-08-13-OLH, Pescadero, Tunitas

Highway 84 has reopened, so OLH is back on the menu! There is still a stoplight, so be aware we will be stopping and waiting for it. We’ll plan to stop for water in Pescadero after Bean Hollow, which should be enough to get people up and over Tunitas, but if necessary another quick stop at the bike hut can be done. 

Usual pace, 2.5-3.5 w/kg on everything except the climbs, no random surges, have all the fun you want on Tunitas, Stage, Lobitos, etc. There is still road blockage on stage, so be careful traversing that as per usual. Short regroups, if needed, at tops and bottoms of climbs.

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

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3098097420623994584

Summary: 88 miles / 8,200 feet: Summit Bicycles > Sand Hill > Old La Honda > Skyline > 84 > Haskins > Cloverdale/Gazos > 1 > Bean Hollow > Pescadero (water stop) > Stage > Bike Hut > Lobitos Creek > Tunitas > Portola > 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: Nathan Martin

A Ride 8/6/23-Gravel JNT & Dirt Alpine

While many in AVRT will be racing Patterson Pass Road Race this Sunday, Alex will lead a gravel ride!

Gravel route (51 miles, 6200 ft) : Freemont older, JNT, Ridge/Saratoga gap, Dirt alpine

Pace: endurance on the paved and tempo on the climbs. Terrain for those with dirt experience but anyone else will get dropped.

Water: One stop is at castle rock so bring 2 full bottles to the start

Meet at 8:00 am at Summit Bike shop in Palo Alto, roll: 8:10

https://www.strava.com/routes/3121619275553173948

A Ride 7/16/23 - Pescadero Coastal Classic Pre-Ride

This week’s A Ride will be the last before the Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race, so we’ll head to Pescadero and pre-ride the race course. We will regroup at the top of Page Mill and West Alpine, and we’ll also stop for water in Pescadero. On the flats, we’ll ride in a steady paceline (~3.5 W/kg) to get in some low-stakes pacelining practice before the race.

The Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race is next Saturday, July 22 - register here! If you don’t want to race, Alto Velo is looking for volunteers to help this race run smoothly, so please consider signing up for a volunteer position.

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

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3113629091505608760

Summary: 66 miles / 6,600 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page Mill > West Alpine > Haskins > Pescadero > Hwy 1 > Hwy 84 > West Alpine > Page Mill > Summit Bicycles

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: George Wehner