B Ride
Alto Velo's B Ride peloton consists of former riders who have retired from racing, up-and-coming riders who enjoy a challenge and strong riders who enjoy camaraderie. Based on the principle of getting outdoors and seeing and doing some cool things, this ride is meant to be challenging but doable. Mostly a no-drop ride, we average 50 miles per ride.
Start: Saturdays 9:00am from Summit Bicycles at 392 California Ave in Palo Alto, rolling at 9:10am. New riders welcome!
Pace: Moderate and sometimes fast. If you're at the front early on, know the route and please look back to see that the group is together (three souls gasping for air is not considered a group). Paceline when possible, wait at the top of longer climbs
Regroups: We regroup at the top and bottom of hills and recover after every climb
Example route: https://www.strava.com/routes/4519225
The B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules and all participants must sign an annual waiver.
See below for details of the upcoming ride as well as past rides.
AV-B Ride 13 May - Page Mill And Pancakes
This Saturdays B-ride heads up Page Mill via Taaffe and we’ll aim to make it to the Saratoga Gap fire station on Skyline in time for pancakes before heading down the 9 and tackling Mora before heading back to Palo Alto.
At the end of the ride the Club will also be hosting our monthly coffee/tea at Backyard Brew. All riders are welcome and encouraged to join us and the club will pay for 1 drink per member.
Start / End Location
Route
https://www.strava.com/routes/3091249622152298462
~45 miles and 4,800 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM
Ride Leader
Simon
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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV-B Ride 22 April - Coastal Classic
Peleton
The weather is finally looking decent for this weekend, and so I am proposing the Coastal Classic. With 84 still closed let’s be extra careful climbing OLH and try to stay to the right as much as possible. Keep in mind this is a GROUP ride, so we have regroups at Alpine / Portola, Sky Londa, Bike Hut, Old Woodside Store, and across from Shell station. We should endeavor to have all riders find enjoy and want to join us again next time.
I am hoping I have recovered enough from BWR San Diego and Egan to have legs for the ride. Should I feel to tired for the B pace, I will let some else lead at Sky Londa.
Ride
We ride this route at 2.5+ watts / kg on the hills and less on the flats. If you can climb OLH in 30 min or less, and ride 55 miles than you can do this ride.
-Ed
Start / End Location
Route
B Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40102681
56 miles, ~5100
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV-B Ride 15 April - Memorial Ride **8 AM start**
Hello AVB-ers,
As many of you may have heard, local rider Lester Legarda was killed while cycling on Cañada Road this past Monday. PenVelo is organizing a memorial ride for him and other cyclists that have died over the past few years, and is inviting everyone in the local community to join. The memorial ride starts at 9 am at Woodside Town Hall, so to show our support the B ride will start from Summit at 8 am to get to Woodside by 9 and ride with the group to the site of Lester’s crash before continuing on with the rest of our ride.
The route we will take is:
Summit Bicycles -> Portola -> Woodside Town Hall -> Cañada -> up Kings via the maze and Huddart -> Skyline -> down Page Mill -> Backyard Brew
Regroups at Portola/Alpine intersection, Woodside Town Hall, top of Kings, Skylonda, bottom of Page Mill
Ride Leader
Louise
Start / End Location: Summit Bicycles - Palo Alto
Route: 58 miles, 4,926 ft
https://www.strava.com/routes/3081825254251635792
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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV-B Ride 4/1 Montebello
Hey guys!
I always have a Montebello itch, so we are going to go for it since it seems to be one of the local climbs not completely wasted by the weather! Will update this depending on if the weather holds. Regroup at the top of Montebello, and at the bottom (after descending) by the reservoir. The route details are below:
Start / End Location
Route
Montebello Route - https://www.strava.com/routes/3075835294737901944
53.53 miles
4088 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
B/C Ride 25 March - Destination Cat’s Hill
Peleton
This is a unique week. We have a local race (Cat’s Hill) and we are going down to support our race team. In response, they will have a tent for us to rest, food to eat (Terun Pizza at 12:30 pm) and merch to check out (KAV stickers, Wend Wax samples, Terun pizza, and a local Summit @ Los Gatos). This stop will be about exactly in the middle of the ride and will be about 30 min stop. Anybody is welcome to stay longer, and I will try to coral everybody before we head back.
Ride
B/C Ride will leave together and hopefully stay together until Steven’s Canyon / Mt Eden intersection. Then comes 1 of the 3 decisions on the day: climb RWG or stay on Mt. Eden / Pierce. We will regroup at the Blaney Plaza in Saratoga. From there we will head out on 9 and you can go either through Montalvo on a scenic detour or continue on 9; decision 2. We will then stop at the tent. The route back is the same for both rides with the exception of Trail of Tears / Mora Trail: decision 3.
I hope this will be fun.
-Ed
Start / End Location
Route
B Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42304812
51.2 miles, ~3220 ft
C Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42305787
44.4 miles / ~2200 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
B Ride 18 March - A Moody Page Mill
Start / End Location
Route
https://www.strava.com/routes/3071226706609365958
47 miles / 4,900 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM
Members
As a bonus for members this week the club will cover one drink per member at the post ride coffee/tea stop at Backyard Brew.
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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
03/11/2023 - B ride cancelled
Looks like it’s going to be another rainy weekend. Sigh.
Due to the atmospheric river and flood warnings (and the ride leaders being sick of cycling in the rain, especially after the hail last weekend), we’ve decided to cancel this week’s B ride. That said, if anyone’s willing to tough out the rain and lead the ride let me know.
For all the Zwifters there will be a combined Zwift B/C ride
Stay dry out there,
Louise
AV B ride 3/4 - Rain route +
Unfortunately the weather isn’t looking great for Saturday and I’m not sure if there’s still snow up on Skyline, so we’re going to stick to this side of the hills. Going up and back on Cañada is a bit boring though, so I’ve thrown Crestview Dr into the route.
For anyone that would prefer to stay dry there's also a (currently leaderless) Zwift B ride option here: https://www.zwift.com/clubs/8c5cb515-aac6-465a-9564-11a03f5ad4fc/home
- Louise
Start / End Location
Route
https://www.strava.com/routes/3066228743359570568
45 miles / 3,200 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
CANCELLED: AVB Ride 02/25 Kings + W Alpine
I am cancelling the AVB Ride, due to adverse weather/road conditions.
Riders who still want to ride can join the C route.
Start / End Location
Route
https://www.strava.com/routes/3063629110420784792
48.02 mi / 5075 ft+
Ride Leader
Marco
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV-B Ride Feb 18 Coastal Classic
Start / End Location
Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40102681
56 miles / 5,138 ft
Ride Leader
Simon
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV - B Ride 2/11 Simon Sojourn | Huddart - Kings - Skyline - 92 - Cañada
Hello AVB-ers!
This week the ride will follow the Simon Sojourn route:
Meet at Summit Bicycles, Page Mill, Astradero, Alpine, (re-group & water) at Portola, Mountain Home, Woodside Road, Kings Mountain, Greer to backside of Huddart, Kings (re-group at Skyline), Tunitas, Star Hill, Skyline, 92, Cañada (restroom stop @ Pulgas Water Temple), Olive (thru the maze), Tripp, Portola, Sand Hill, Campus Dr, Backyard Cafe ☕
Bring water, snacks and good legs.
Start / End Location
Route
Huddart - Kings - Skyline - 92 - Cañada
50 miles
80.5 km / 4,290 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV-B Ride 2/4 Page Mill Rd - Lexington Reservoir
Hello fellow AVB-ers!
The route for this Saturday is:
Summit Bicycle, ↗️ Page Mill Road, Skyline, Castle Rock 🚰🚻, ↘️Lexington Reservoir, Saratoga 🚰, Mt Eden Rd, Steven Canyon Rd, Foothill, Backyard Brew ☕
Start / End Location
Route
www.strava.com/routes/3053193251145206982
57.4 miles
5515 ft+
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
B-Ride 1/28 - Redwood Gulch + Portola Redwood State Park
Hello AVB-ers!
This week the menu is:
Meet at Summit Bicycles, Foot Hill ➡️, Redwood Gulch ↗️ , HWY9 ↗️, Skyline ➡️, West Alpine ↘️, Portola Redwood Park, West Alpine ↗️, Page mill Road ↘️, Backyard Cafe ☕
Bring water, snacks and good legs..
Start / End Location
Route
HWY9 + Portola Redwood Park + PMR
55 miles
88.66 km / 6184 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV-B Ride Jan 21 Coastal Classic
Start / End Location
Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40102681
56 miles / 5,138 ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV B-Ride for Jan. 14-Cancelled and moved to Zwift
We have scheduled a Zwift B Ride (or Z-Ride) this Saturday at 9:05am and can plan more ride options in future if there is interest.
For those of you who are on Zwift but not part of the Alto Velo club, you can join here: https://www.zwift.com/clubs/8c5cb515-aac6-465a-9564-11a03f5ad4fc/home
Ride On!
Rain is very likely for Saturday so we will traverse the same route as last week sans the extra loop. The bike path was partly closed last week so we ended up on Bunker Hill. While I would like to return and try to claim the crown, it is not the best descent for slippery roads. Ride will be cancelled if rain is heavy. TBD Friday night. Email will go out and this page will be updated.
Start / End Location
Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19065130
40 miles/2450'
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
B-Ride - Rain Route for this Saturday 1/7
Belated Happy New Year All. It will be very wet, so we are doing the rain route. We can improvise the route if road conditions do not agree with us.
Bernardo
Start / End Location
Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19065130
40 miles/2450'
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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 https://www.altovelo.org/ride-rules
AV B Ride (11/26/22) - Steve Esswein Classic
Peloton,
We are unable to find a leader for this week. Please think about volunteering in the future.
I will post a proposed ride, and we can also talk about it when we meet up. I am still in recovery mode so I will be leading the C Ride. Feel free to join that ride as well.
Ed
Start / End Location
Route
45.0 mi, 3850ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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
AV B Ride (11/5/22) - Climber’s Delight
Peloton,
I am taking some extended time to focus on my back. Hopefully, as my back gets better my legs will recover and I can get back to full strength on my rides. Until then, we will have a combination of B Ride Leader. BTW - Please volunteer as we are looking for leaders. This week Jonathan Lewis is leading.
Ed
Start / End Location
Route
43.0 mi, 4850ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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
AV B Ride10/29/2022 - 9 / 35 / 84
Peloton,
I will be out this week helping the C (Cool) Ride this week. In my place, you have Jerry leading the ride.
Ed
Start / End Location
Route
49.3 mi, 4379ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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
10/22/2022 - Hills of LAH, PV and Woodside
Peloton,
Without going to far out from home, we will hit a series of shorter steeper climbs (Moody, Joaquin, Loop Road, Godetia and Huddard Park). We will hope to keep the regroups shorter, and try to keep the peloton together between hills. There are plenty of water stops on the ride so we can make up our minds along the way of when we need water, etc. I hope I can convince some riders to regroup at Backyard Brew after the ride for some tea and coffee.
Ed
Start / End Location
Route
48 mi, 4200ft
Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 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
Mt Umunhum, June 2021
Bike Hut, July 2021
Native Sons Rd, April 2022
Christmas Coffee Ride, December 2022