AV-B & C Ride July 6, 2024 - Coastal Classic

We are still working out the leadership for both rides this weekend. I am positive we will work it out, but we are both doing the same ride. Coastal Classic.

This Saturday starts our annual participation in the Bike Hut Classic. Please check your emails or Google Groups for information about how to register. This is our biggest contribution to our community along with the Pesky RR so please look at joining the fundraiser.

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40102681

~56 miles and 5,100 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:12 AM

Ride Leader

Ed Stewart and other(s)

Planned Regroups:
Portola Road and Alpine Road (water)
Skylonda (water)
La Honda
Bike Hut (water)
Woodside Stores Park (water)
Sharon Park Drive

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride June 29, 2024 - Redwood Gulch + Portola Redwood State Park

Hi AV-Bers,

This week we’ll take a climbing tour through the redwoods. First up will be Redwood Gulch (via Foothill). We’ll then make our way along Skyline and drop down Alpine to get to Portola Redwood State Park, before climbing all the way back up again and descending Page Mill. We’ll regroup at the top and bottom of climbs (see below) and head to Backyard Brew after for coffee.

Fingers crossed it’ll be a bit cooler than last weekend.

Hope to see you there,
Louise

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
Redwood Gulch and Portola Redwood State Park
54 miles, 6151 feet

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Louise

Regroups:
Regroups:
- Stevens Canyon Picnic Area
- fire station on Skyline
- top of Page Mill
- Portola Redwood State Park
- Alpine and Skyline
- bottom of Page Mill
- 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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride June 22nd, 2024 - Alternate Coastal Classic

Let’s try this one again, shall we?

The weather is looking great for this Saturday, so I’m optimistic that we won’t encounter the same frigid and rainy Page Mill microclimate as the last time we attempted this route!

While the weather will be nice, the temps are slated to rise to the mid to high 80s on our way back, so be mindful of hydration along the way.

This Saturday the B-ride will take on the second half of AV’s Coastal Classic route with a different first half. We will start by climbing Page Mill, then carefully descending West Alpine. There will be regroups after the climb as well as after the descent to keep the group together for our journey down 84 towards the coast. After a right turn onto Stage Road, we will do a water stop at The Bike Hut before climbing Tunitas Creek. Finally, we will descend Kings Mountain Road and head back to Backyard Brew via Whiskey Hill and Sand Hill. 

Hope to see you then,

Nick

The AV-B Ride is subject to Alto Velo’s Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

Alternate Coastal Classic

55 mi, 5604 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader

Nick

Regoups:

- Top of Page Mill 

- Bottom of West Alpine

- The Bike Hut (water)

- Woodside Store (water)

- Sharon Park Drive

- 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. Filling out the waiver is required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride 8th June 2024 - Swetty Kings To Bedrock

This Saturday the B-ride will go up Kings and Swett before heading over to the Flintstone’s House and onto Backyard Brew . 

The AV-B Ride is subject to Alto Velo’s Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

Swetty Kings to Bedrock

55 mi & 5,000 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader

Simon

Planned Regoups:

- Old Woodside Stores Tripp Road (water)

- Kings and Skyline

- Sweet and Skyline

- Bottom of 92 and Skyline

- Flintstone’s House

- Water Temple (maybe water)

- Sharon Green

- 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. Filling out the waiver is required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride June 1, 2024 - A few “short” climbs

Hi AV-Bers,

This week we’ll be exploring a few local hills. First, we’ll tackle Moody (by way of Elena Rd) and then descend Page to make our way to Alpine and Joaquin. Next on the tasting menu is Old La Honda, after which we’ll stop at Sky Londa for water and then make our way to Emerald Hills where I’ll try my best not to get everyone lost. We’ll regroup at the top of all climbs and finish at Backyard Brew on Cal Ave for coffee.

Hope to see you there,
Louise

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
A few "short" climbs
54 miles, 5400 feet

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Louise

Regroups:
- Top of Moody
- Bottom of Page Mill
- Top of Joaquin
- Portola and Alpine (water)
- Sky Londa (water)
- Woodside old store (water)
- Emerald Hills Cafe

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride May 25th, 2024 - Alternate Coastal Classic

This Saturday the B-ride will take on the second half of AV’s Coastal Classic route with a different first half. We will start by climbing Page Mill, then descending West Alpine. There will be regroups after the climb as well as after the descent to keep the group together for our journey down 84 towards the coast. After a right turn onto Stage Road, we will do a water stop at The Bike Hut before climbing Tunitas Creek. Finally, we will descend Kings Mountain Road and head back to Backyard Brew via Whiskey Hill and Sand Hill. 

Hope to see you then,

Nick

The AV-B Ride is subject to Alto Velo’s Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

Alternate Coastal Classic

55 mi, 5604 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader

Nick

Regoups:

- Top of Page Mill 

- Bottom of West Alpine

- The Bike Hut (water)

- Woodside Store (water)

- Sharon Park Drive

- 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. Filling out the waiver is required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride May 18th, 2024 - Kings, Starr Hill & Swett, West Alpine

This week we will be linking together two of the best climbs in the area with a less traveled connection. We will start by climbing Kings Mountain via Huddart Park, then taking the Star Hill and Swett detour before making our way down 84. We’ll turn off 84 onto Pescadero Creek, then head back up to Skyline via West Alpine. Finally we’ll descend Page Mill and head towards Backyard Brew for some well earned coffee.

The AV-B Ride is subject to Alto Velo’s Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

Kings, Star Hill & Swett, West Alpine

54 mi, 5422 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader

Nick

Regoups:

- Portola & Alpine (water)

- Top of Kings

- Skylonda (water)

- La Honda (across from Apple Jack’s)

- Top of West Alpine

- Page Mill & Arastradero

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. Filling out the waiver is required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride May 11, 2024 - South Skyline Pancakes

Saturday’s B Ride will head up Black Mountain Road and Page Mill then along Skyline for a stop at the Saratoga Summit Fire Station for the South Skyline Fire & Rescue Pancake Breakfast (http://southskylinefire.org/pancakes.php) before descending the 9 all the way to Saratoga and heading back via Stevens Creek Reservoir.

As well as pancakes last year there were fresh fruit and beverage options so it’s recommend to bring $5 (in cash). I’ll be giving them a heads up when we’re on our way so they’ll be ready for us.

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (please read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

https://www.strava.com/routes/3222727136170502084

~45 miles and 4,600 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader

Simon

Planned Regroups:
Black Mountain Road and Altamont
Page Mill and Skyline
Saratoga Summit Fire Station
Saratoga Blaney Plaza

Stevens Creek Reservoir Parking Lot

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

4/27 B-Ride: Portola Redwoods

This edition of the beloved B Ride will take you into a gem of the Santa Cruz Mountains: Portola Redwoods State Park. We will exit town via Page Mill Road and regroup at the top, rolling at a 52-minute pace. We will descend West Alpine and Portola State Park Road and regroup at the ranger station at the bottom. Fill up your water, and start the 20-minute climb back up to West Alpine Road, where we will regroup a third time. We will proceed down West Alpine single-file. Then, we will climb 84 back up to Sky Londa and regroup at the general store. As a coda to the ride, we will descend 84 into Woodside, and climb through Huddart Park, regrouping at the top. Our final stop will be the Village Hub Coffee Bar & Garden in Woodside. For those who wish to return to Palo Alto, descend Whiskey Hill Road and Sand Hill Road, turn right on Junipero Serra Boulevard, and left on Stanford Avenue.

Ride Leader: James Biddle (Strava)

Distance: 46 miles

Elevation: 5,700 feet

Route Link (RWGPS)

Summary: Page Mill -> West Alpine -> State Park -> West Alpine -> La Honda Rd -> Tripp -> Huddart -> Kings -> Coffee

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM from Summit Bicycles - Palo Alto

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

AV-B Ride April 20, 2024 - Coastal Classic

Saturday is looking good, a perfect opportunity for another B ride to the coast

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40102681

~56 miles and 5,100 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:12 AM

Ride Leader

Clayton

Planned Regroups:
Portola Road and Alpine Road (water)
Skylonda (water)
La Honda
Bike Hut (water)
Woodside Stores Park (water)
Sharon Park Drive

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride April 13, 2024 - Flaturday

Hi AV-Bers,

The weather gods have frowned upon us once more, so we’re going to do a mostly flat ride down to Los Gatos (thanks Hannon for the route!).
We’ll head up Elena, regrouping at the base at the intersection with El Monte, before heading down Foothill to Mt Eden and Pierce where the next regroup will be at the top of Pierce. We’ll then go through Saratoga and Los Gatos to Kennedy Rd, regrouping at the top again, then head back to Los Gatos for a water stop. Our final stop will be at McClellan Ranch before taking Foothill back to Backyard Brew (assuming we’re not too wet by then).

Hope to see you there,
Louise

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
Flaturday
55 miles, 3700 feet

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Louise

Regroups:
- Corner of Elena and El Monte
- Top of Pierce
- Top of Kennedy
- Downtown Los Gatos (water)
- McClellan Ranch (water)
- 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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride April 6, 2024 - Going on a bear hunt

Hi AV-Bers!

This week we’re going to see if we can find any bears on Bear Gulch Rd. We’ll start by climbing Page Mill, then take Skyline to Sky Londa before tackling Bear Gulch. Whether or not there are bears, we can still check out the path that leads to Neil Young’s ranch. After that we’ll continue along Skyline, stopping at the top of Tunitas to regroup, and return on Cañada with a water stop at the water temple.

Hope to see you there,
Louise

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
Going on a bear hunt
57 miles, 5820 ft

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Louise

Regroups:
- top of Page Mill
- Sky Londa (water)
- bottom of Bear Gulch
- top of Tunitas
- the water temple (water)
- Sand Hill & Sharon Park Dr

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

The 3rd climb is easy

This week's ride was planned to take us up 2 hills that I’ve never climbed with AV; it’s a long way to the first stop with water so please plan accordingly. The first climb I’ve not done with AV is  Los Trancos Rd just past Alpine Hills Tennis club on Alpine road. It’s a short steep climb that always leaves me wondering “what was I thinking?” We’ll stop quickly at Alpine and Los Trancos so everyone can start the climb together. Stop 2 will be another quickie at the intersection of Vista Verde and Old Spanish Trail, neither of these have water. Stop 3 will be the base of Old La Honda for another quick regroup, then up OLH and Skyline to the first water stop at Page Mill/Alpine and Skyline; down Alpine and Pescadero Creek road then up 84 to Skylonda and a nice long regroup. We’ll descend 84 to Portola, Sand Hill and back to Foothills to coffee and a burrito. There are a couple of twists and turns on this route that are uncommon on the Saturday B-ride so please download the route to your head unit if you have one. 

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
The 3rd climb is easy
55 miles, 5500 ft

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Clayton Keller

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

AV-B Ride March 23, 2024 - Los Gatos Start to Umunhum

This weekend is the Cat’s Hill Classic Race in Los Gatos and the B-Ride start/finish will be temporarily relocating to Summit Bikes in Los Gatos to give the chance to cheer on club members racing in the various categories. The Alto Velo Race Team will have a tent setup by the circuit so please take the opportunity to head over and support the various races before and after the ride.

Taking advantage of the temporary change in start location the B-ride will be heading to Mt Umunhum for a short but climb heavy route.

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, Los Gatos

Route
Lost Gatos, Quicksilver, Umunhum

42 miles, 5100 ft

https://www.strava.com/routes/3203086267494332442

Start Time
Meet: 930 AM
Leave: 9:35 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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

AV-B Ride March 16, 2024 - Alpine, OLH, and Star Hill

This edition of the beloved B Ride will take you up several spectacular climbs in the Mountains of Southern San Mateo County. We will take our standard base terrain route North on Page Mill to Arastradero before climbing to the top of paved Alpine Rd. This will be our first regroup before continuing onto Old La Honda (our largest climb of the day). We will traverse Skyline from there to our next stop at Skywood Trading Post for water, food, and bathrooms.

We will then ascend Skyline and regrouping at the top of Tunitas Creek Rd. From there we will cap off the ride with an out and back on Star Hill Road, one of the best “roads less traveled” of the San Mateo Mountains. After regrouping at Tunitas and Skyline we will make our way to Backyard Brew via Kings, Mountain Home, and Sand Hill.

The weather looks fantastic and the pace will be forgiving.

-James

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
Alpine, OLH, and Star Hill
51 miles, 5200 ft

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader: James

Regroups:

1. Top of Alpine

2. Skywood Trading Post

3. Top of Tunitas

4. Top of Star Hill

6. Tripp and Kings

7. 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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

AV-B Ride March 9, 2024 - Montebello and the 9

Hi AVB-ers!

The forecast looks promising for Saturday so we’ll attempt to make it up to Skyline. Let’s hold a steady pace to keep the group together going through Los Altos Hills and Foothill, then feel free to go as fast as you want up Montebello because we’ll be regrouping at the top. After that, we’ll descend to a water stop at Stevens Canyon Picnic Area, before climbing Redwood Gultch and the I9. We’ll then make our way along Skyline, descend Page Mill, and go to Backyard Brew for coffee.
If the weather turns shitty I may end up changing the plan.

Hope to see you there
- Louise


The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
Montebello and the 9
52 miles, 6000 ft

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Louise

Regroups:
- Top of Montebello
- Stevens Canyon Picnic Area (water)
- Skyline fire station
- Top of Page Mill
- Bottom of Page Mill at Arastradero
- 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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

AV-B Ride March 2, 2024 - Rain cancelation

With wind and rain forecast for today and tomorrow, it’s not looking promising for riding outdoors.
Feel free to do the rain route if the weather clears up, but we won’t have an official leader.

Otherwise, if you’re on Zwift, Matt Flanzer has created a Saturday AV-Z ride starting at 9am here

AV-B Ride February 24, 2024 - Coastal Classic

Saturday is looking good weather wise so it seems like a perfect opportunity for another B ride to the coast

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40102681

~56 miles and 5,100 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:12 AM

Ride Leader

Simon

Planned Regroups:
Portola Road and Alpine Road (water)
Skylonda (water)
La Honda
Bike Hut (water)
Woodside Stores Park (water)
Sharon Park Drive

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride February 10 2024 - Kings and Flintstones

Hi AVB-ers!

The weather is looking nice and sunny for Saturday (touch wood) so let’s take advantage of it. For this route I was inspired by Hannon’s Kings & Hills ride a couple of months ago, but decided to add a detour to see the Flintstones house. We’ll start out by climbing Kings, then descend Skyline and 92 to regroup at Crystal Springs. After that, we’ll take a tour of Hillsborough and regroup at the Flintstones house, before taking the hilly way home via Crestview and Emerald Hills.

Hope to see you there
- Louise


The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location
Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route
Kings and Flintstones
56 miles, 5300 ft

Start Time
Meet: 9 AM
Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader
Louise

Regroups:
- Roberts (water)
- Top of Kings
- Crystal Springs (water)
- Flintstone house
- Lake Rd Trail (water)
- Top of Crestview
- Top of Jefferson

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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

AV-B Ride February 3 2024 - Up Page Down 9

It seems like we will have a weather window for our Saturday rides so lets get a good one in. We will climb up Page Mill by way of Moody and then take skyline to Hwy 9 for the descent into Saratoga. After Saratoga we will sneak through the neighborhood onto Mount Eden and then through Stevens Canyon to Foothill and h

The AV B Ride is subject to Alto Velo's Ride Rules (read them!)

Start / End Location

Summit Bicycles, California Ave

Route

Up Page Down 9

49 miles 4800 ft

Start Time

Meet: 9 AM

Leave: 9:10 AM

Ride Leader

Hannon

Regroups:
Top of Page (water)

Top of 9

Saratoga (water)

Stevens Canyon Reservoir

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. Filling out the waiver is only required one time per year.

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