Saturday A Ride 5/10 - Santa Cruz

Hello friends, can you remember the last time we rode to Santa Cruz? Because I can’t. How can we sleep each night, shamelessly, after having done such a great disservice to ourselves by neglecting to visit such a charming place for so long, especially when it’s this close by? Too many times we have descended into Boulder Creek and Felton, looked at the sign that says “Santa Cruz - 9 miles ahead”, thought to ourselves “wow, we’re so close to Santa Cruz, I wish I could just go, maybe next time…”, and then did absolutely nothing to make it happen. And I’m totally projecting because by we I mean myself, as this exact thought has crossed my mind every single time I’ve ridden to Big Basin; and each time I find myself there again, wistfully thinking the same thing, I am even more guilt-ridden and unable to come to terms with why I still have not done a bike ride to Santa Cruz. I cope, doing mental gymnastics like “ah but I’ve done big rides to Jamison Creek and Alba down there already, it’s basically the same thing” or “it’s not a big deal, I can just drive there like a normal person” but deep down I know it is all absolute gibberish. Oh, how I have wronged myself and those around me. I refuse to live my life with regrets like this!! This is the week where at long last I am doing it!!! In this world where our lives are so fragile, where our health and ability to enjoy cycling can be so fleeting, it is far too egregious an offense to accept mediocrity when we have a clear path (literally) toward greatness.

Because this is quite a long ride, we will maintain a TRUE ENDURANCE PACE and keep it together all day, climbing at 3 w/kg at most, and we will keep it ESPECIALLY chill for the first half of the ride. I know it’s hard for some of you to imagine not setting a PR on the first climb at the beginning of a 7 hour long ride (imagine PRing OLH at the beginning of a long ride lmao) but we must pace ourselves responsibly, lest we bonk catastrophically on the way home - an ill fate so many of us have suffered. Earlier this year we started a Jamison Creek route with like a sub 40 minute Page Mill and several of us experienced this generational bonk in the second half of the ride. Like holy shit dude, I was on the verge of vomiting and tears before I even made it back up to Skyline. That said, I will likely bonk anyway, but am earnestly determined to make this ride happen.

We will start with OLH and 84 down to Haskins, and do a quick water and snack stop in Pescadero before getting some good pacelining practice down Hwy 1 all the way to Santa Cruz. Time permitting we will get lunch somewhere there and then make our way up to Mountain Charlie to Old Santa Cruz Hwy down to Lexington Reservoir. Once we get past the Los Gatos gravel trail, we can go home knowing we’ve done something incredible. Hope you will join us for an epic day out!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3339779954257998214

Summary: 112 miles / 7,800 feet

Start: Summit Bikes Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Richard Red

Saturday A Ride 5/3 - Updated: Skyline to Lexington loop

Update: Since Big Basin is officially closed due to wind, we’ll reroute and stay out of that zone.

New route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3353549030709636142

This will take us up 9 as planned, but we’ll continue on skyline to summit and drop down old Santa Cruz, loop around the back of Lexington, down the short dirt trail section and into Los Gatos for a snack stop. We’ll go back through Saratoga, then up and over Mt Eden again to Foothill.

Summary: Foothill, Stevens Canyon, Highway 9, Skyline, Summit, Old Santa Cruz, Alma Bridge, Hwy 9, Stevens Canyon, Foothill

Saturday is looking pretty windy, with temps in the mid 50s to 60 and some sprinkles in the morning. We’ll stay inland and out of the wind with a loop through Big Basin, the less traveled direction. Why clockwise? More time taking in the best part: Big Basin.

We’ll take Foothill to Stevens Canyon and highway 9. We’ll skip Redwood Gulch because there’s nothing endurance pace about that thing. We’ll continue on Skyline with a brief water stop at Castle Rock before heading down Bear Creek to Boulder Creek. This is our main stop for snacks if needed. Plan to bring food for the whole ride, but happy to stop for a quick bite at the tree coffee shop if there’s interest.

We’ll climb up through Big Basin, then out 9 to Skyline. I expect we’ll split up here for home - some going Skyline to Page and some down 9.

Pace will be Z2 as much as possible. Feel free to smash the climbs if you want and we’ll regroup at the top.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3353187080238339084

Summary: Foothill, Stevens Canyon, Highway 9, Skyline, Bear Creek, Big Basin Way, 236, 9, Skyline, Page

Start: Summit Bikes Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Greg McCullough

Sunday A Ride - 5/4 Mt Umunhum

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50506166

Summary: 78 miles, 6,485 ft climbing, Summit Bikes > Foothill > Kennedy > Hicks > Umunhum > Hicks > Quicksilver Water stop > Camden > Shannon > Foothill > Summit

Start: Summit Bikes Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Grant Miller

This Sunday we’ll be heading to Mt Umunhum. The pace will be endurance until we hit Shannon Road. If folks are feeling spicy, we’ll kick off a group effort for the approximately hour long segment from Hicks to the top of Umunhum. If not, we’ll save our matches until Hicks gets steep and start there.

This will be one of my last rides before moving to Switzerland, so I hope to see some friendly faces and make a few last PRs before heading out.

Saturday A Ride 4/26 - Pescadero/Tunitas

OLH, 84, Haskins, Pigeon Point, Stage Rd to Tunitas, down Kings. The usual coastal loop, although we are ending at Shake Shack this week. We will also be joined by some special guests who are flying back after moving away from the bay, one of whom is coming from Canada - with the current 25% tariffs and an additional 10% on energy product exports from Canada (I would say his watts count as an energy product) we are legally required to have this Canadian work 35% harder than everyone else and pull for us all day long! God Bless America!

The weather forecast for the coast has been flip flopping all week between rainy and cloudy, but it will probably be a bit wet or misty either way. We will play it by ear and make adjustments to the route if necessary, but either way we should be able to get some good z2 time in. Hope to see you there!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3349220231920004494

Summary: 80 miles / 7,300 feet: Summit Bicycles > OLH > 84 > Haskins > Cloverdale/Gazos > Pigeon Point > Hwy 1 > Pescadero > Stage Rd > Tunitas > Kings > Shake Shack

Start: Summit Bikes Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Richard Red

AV-A Ride Sunday Apr 27 - Reverse Gazos

Berkeley Hills RR is the day before, so we’ll keep the ride compatible for those racing the day before and those still building up fitness. We’ll mostly ride together at endurance pace, let folks climb however fast they choose, and regroup at the top of climbs. The route is a bit of a figure 8 to Pigeon Point light house and back. We’ll head up Page, down West Alpine, skirt to 84, take Stage to Pescadero for a water & bathroom stop. We’ll take Bean Hollow out to 1 south and loop back via Gazos Creek and Cloverdale. We’ll be sure to take it safe on 1 and enjoy the view. If need be, we’ll hit Pescadero again for a quick water stop, ride up Pescadero Creek, climb Haskins from the backside, ride up 84, and enjoy a final hit up the best road in the Peninsula, West OLH. We’ll regroup at Skylonda and cruise back to Summit via 84, Portola, and Alpine. 

Pace: Endurance and CYOC (Climb your own climb)

Route: AVA April 27

Summary: 85 miles / 7,500 feet. Page Mill -> West Alpine -> 84 -> Stage -> Pescadero -> Bean Hollow -> 1 -> Gazos Creek -> Cloverdale -> Pescadero Creek -> 84 -> WOLH -> Skylonda -> 84 -> Portola -> Alpine 

Start: Summit Bicycles Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 am, roll at 9:10 am

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

Ride Leader: Drew Mathews

AV A Ride Sunday 4/20/25 - Mt. Umunhum

Sunday is shaping up to be a beautiful day and I haven’t done Mt. Umunhum in a while, so this Sunday’s AV A Ride will head down South to conquer Mt. Umunhum. I seem to have forgotten how painful this climb is, so this should serve as a friendly reminder. 5 miles at 9-10% sounds more fun than anything right now :)

Along the way we’ll go over Mt. Eden and head through Saratoga and Los Gatos, before climbing up Shannon and Hicks. On the way back we’ll take a detour around Alamitos and Almaden before taking Kennedy, Saratoga - Los Gatos, and Foothill. There will be a few water stops along the route in Saratoga and Los Gatos. We’ll keep the group together at a steady pace except for the Umunhum climb itself, where folks are free to tackle it at their own pace. Personally, I’m aiming for a high endurance workout with tempo climbing. Hope to see you there!

Pace: Steady pace throughout the ride, b.y.o. pace on the Umunhum climb.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50388061

Summary: 78 miles / 6,700 feet. Foothill -> Eden -> Saratoga -> Shannon -> Hicks -> Umunhum -> Alamitos -> Almaden -> Camden -> Kennedy -> Saratoga -> Foothill

Start: Summit Bicycles Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 am, roll at 9:10 am

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

Ride Leader: Flo Costa

Saturday A Ride 4/19 - Hamilton/Mines Loop

Hello team, the hills are lush and the weather isn’t too hot yet, so this week we’re headed East to do the Mt. Hamilton/Mines Road century! To accommodate the extra time needed to drive there, we will begin at Berryessa Community Center at 8:30 AM. For the climb we’ll maintain a chill endurance pace (I’ll be doing like 3 w/kg, no more than 3.5) and regroup at the top, then after descending the backside we’ll hopefully get a quick lunch stop at The Junction, and then we can enjoy a beautiful ~45 minute long descent along the canyon all the way down into Livermore. After that, it’s pretty flat for quite a while so we’ll keep it together until Calaveras - but once there, in the spirit of all our teammates suffering at Levi’s Gran Fondo, we will use what energy we have left and go as hard as possible up to the reservoir!! https://www.strava.com/segments/4299912

There will be water at the top of Ham, at The Junction (hopefully), and at Robertson Park as we pass by Livermore, but otherwise the water stops on this route are quite limited so be sure to bring two big bottles and plenty of food. Hope you will join us!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3290738169826366936

Summary: 104 miles / 8,700 feet: Berryessa Community Center > Mt. Hamilton > The Junction > Mines Rd > Livermore > Foothill > Calaveras > Berryessa Community Center

Start: Berryessa Community Center (We tested this place out last year for the final LKHC and it was perfect - abundant free parking all day long)

Time: Meet 8:30 AM, Leave 8:40 AM

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

Ride Leader: Richard Red

Sunday A Ride, 4/13: Mt. Tam & Coastal Marin (The Perfect Ride)

The weather will be outstanding and no one’s signed up to lead an A ride yet, which means we get to do my Perfect Ride. We will meet at Crissy Field/East Beach Parking Lot (https://g.co/kgs/ptNhymx). It’s a big day so we will plan to roll at 9am. We’ll start by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and working our way up through Marin to Fairfax, where we will have a brief coffee/bathroom stop at mile 18. The steady climb then begins, working our way up Bo-Fax road to the pristine Alpine Dam. After climbing a bit more in the redwoods, a left turn brings us to Seven Sisters ascent to Mt. Tam. Incredible views will be had by all. After re-grouping at the top of Mt. Tam (+water, mile 35), we will descend to Stinson Beach and then roll along the most stunning section of Highway 1 before returning inland. If the group is up for it, I usually like to stop at the Joinery in Sausilito for a nice seaside lunch & coffee at Equator before rewarding myself with a victory lap of Hawk Hill on the way home.

Pace: A endurance pace, people are welcome to do an effort on the main climb (Seven Sisters/Mt Tam)

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345974967197382188

Summary: 72 miles / 7,700 feet. Crissy Field -> Fairfax -> Alpine Dam -> Mt Tam -> Stinson Beach -> Sausilto -> Hawk Hill

Start: Crissy Field/East Beach Parking Lot (https://g.co/kgs/ptNhymx)

Time: Meet 8:45 AM, roll 9am

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

Ride Leader: Wil Gibb

AV A Endurance - Saturday 4/12/25 Pacifica

Summer weather is here! Let’s celebrate by heading to the coast. We’ll ride north to Pacifica and back south along Highway 1. We’ll take a detour along Higgins Canyon, briefly back to Highway 1, up Tunitas, around Portola Valley, and back to Summit.

The first 60 miles of this ride is relatively flat, so we’ll keep a ~3 W/kg pace, with those on the front slightly higher. It’s not often you get to Tunitas with so little elevation in the legs, so feel free to go as hard as you want, but we’ll regroup at the top before a leisurely pace back to Summit.

We will have two brief water stops: mile 34 at Devil’s Slide and mile 71 at Woodside Store, with a 15-20 minute break for food in Half Moon Bay.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345633128783517758

Summary: 85 miles / 6,600 ft: Summit Bicycles > Cañada > Skyline > Pacifica > HW1 > Higgins > More HW1 > Tunitas Creek > Kings > Portola > Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Sam Moskal

AV A- Sunday 04.06 Big Basin

This Sunday we will head to Big Basin through Pagemill with an “endurance” pace.

We will remain in Z2 in flat/roller sections (~ 2.5 W/kg pace) . Feel free ride the two longer climbs (Pagemill and Bear creek) at your own pace as long as you don’t mind waiting at the top where we will regroup. We will have a 20 min stop in Boulder Creek for food/water.

Route:https://www.strava.com/routes/3343760593285469472

Summary: 82 miles / 8,200 feet: Summit Bicycles > Stanford Ave >Page> 35> 9 >236 > Boulder Creek> Bear Creek > skyline > 9 > Foothill

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati

Saturday A Ride - 4/5/25 - Pescadero Loop and West Alpine

The weather suggests that spring is finally here, lets celebrate by taking a lap of Pescadero loop (because July and the road race will come eventually).

Route will be climbing Old La Honda, descending 84, one lap around Pescadero loop, then climbing West Alpine and finally descending via Hwy 9 and Mt. Eden Rd. Pace will be 2.5-3 W/kg on the flats, and climbs at your own pace (we’ll regroup at the top of OLH and West Alpine). We’ll stop for a quick water fill-up in Pescadero.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3343102879578916148

Summary: 85 miles / 8000 feet: Summit Bicycles > OLH > Pescadero Creek > Pigeon Point > Pescadero > Lobitos > Tunitas > Kings > Shake Shack

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, roll out 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Steph Hart

AV A Ride Sunday 3/30/25 - Trying to stay dry

Sunday is looking to be a little bit wet so I kept the route shorter and with lots of easy bail out points if the weather becomes too miserable. If it turns out to be a nice day, then we can definitely add on more miles! Generally, the route will depart Summit Bicycles at 9am, head down foothill expressway, wind back thru Rancho San Antonio until we climb Altamont, descend page mill, take Arastadero and Portola over to climb OLH and descend 84. Then we will do an out and back on Canada before finishing on Sand Hill and Alpine then back to the shop.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3341194949874807052

Summary: 66 miles, 5000 ft

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Jon Wells

Saturday A Ride - 3/29/25 - Pigeon Point to Lobitos

So far, this Saturday is looking like it'll be a final reprive of dry weather before next week's storms. Let's knock out some of the best of the coastline while it's dry!

We'll be keeping it "endurance" pace to keep those build phases building. Remain in Z2 on the flats and rollers (~2.5-3.0 W/Kg). Feel free to take the climbs (OLH, Haskins, Tunitas) at your own pace, we'll be regrouping over the top of each.

Water refills at Sky Londa followed by a cafe stop in Pescadero (the long way, at mile 47) because I love coffee. We'll take an audible at The BIke Hut if people need another stop. See you all out there!

This is also one of those fun Shake Shack rides so we'll be ending this one at the Stanford Mall Shake Shack - hang around for that sweet complimentary shake!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3339466315482731930

Summary: 85 miles / 8000 feet: Summit Bicycles > OLH > Pescadero Creek > Pigeon Point > Pescadero > Lobitos > Tunitas > Kings > Shake Shack

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

End: Shake Shack, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9 AM, roll out 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Kevin Kauffman

Sunday A Ride - 3/23/2025 - Mt Hamilton Front & Back turning at the Junction(NOTE: Ride starts in San Jose at base of MT Hamilton Not at Summit Bikes)

This is a bit of a last-minute post, but for those who are game, we are going to ride the front and back of Mt Hamilton with a turn around at Rainbow Junction. 10k of climbing in 71 miles.

Starting and finishing at the Walgreens parking lot at 2799 s. white rd san jose, ca 95148.

WE ARE NOT LEAVING FROM SUMMIT BICYCLES

We will ride up the front of Mt Hamilton, down the backside, and have a turnaround at Rainbow Junction.

Climbing 10k in 70 miles, so the pace will be moderate, based on who shows up. We will regroup at Rainbow Junction before we head toward home.

Bring Plenty to drink and eat since the weather is decently warm (71 degrees for a high)

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3338742360680980870

Summary: 71 miles, 10k ft of climbing

Start: Walgreens Parking lot at 2799 s. white rd san jose, ca 95148.

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Andy Anderson. Message me on Slack if you are coming since likely a small group…

Saturday GRAVEL Ride 3/22 - Cat’s Hill

This week’s a ride both rough and grand,
Through gravel trails and rugged land.
Not Summit’s start, but Egan’s lot,
From Los Altos, off we trot!

Arastradero, then Dirt Alpine,
Climb Black’s peak—a view so fine.
Canyon Trail, a river splash,
Then Stevens Canyon in a dash!

Redwood Gulch, a climb so steep,
Then down Highway 9 we sweep.
El Sereno? We’ll decide,
If time is tight, we’ll let it slide.

By 2:30, we must be set,
To cheer our teammates—don’t forget!
They’ll climb Cat’s Hill, so steep, so fast,
Lap by lap, huge watts they shall blast.

When racing’s done, if legs remain,
We’ll take the Rail Trail home again.
By six o’clock, we should be near,
So dress up warm and bring your cheer!

(This poem was written mostly by ChatGPT using the normal ride description below as input)

Hello friends, this week we are doing a special edition GRAVEL ride to spectate and cheer on our teammates who are racing in Cat’s Hill! We will start from NOT SUMMIT but the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce (the Egan start location) at 9:00 AM and go to Arastradero to Dirt Alpine, climb to the top of Black Mountain, then descend Canyon Trail where there may be a river crossing! After we make it down to Stevens Canyon we’ll do Redwood Gulch and descend Highway 9 to Saratoga, from where we’ll wiggle our way towards the El Sereno dirt climb. From the top we’ll go down Montevina and make our way back into Los Gatos via Jones Trail.

The Women's P/1/2/3 field begins at 2:40pm so we will do our best to get there by 2:30pm or so, but in The Spirit of Gravel this should be a pretty chill ride (A Endurance Ride pace, 3 w/kg on the climbs) so if we feel rushed we can always cut off the El Sereno climb or play it by ear some other way. A whole bunch of our women’s team will be racing, and with the Men’s P/1/2 field following at 3:50pm, it’ll be a ton of fun to watch and support our friends as they repeatedly blast up the 23% wall!!!

If we’re still together after the race, we will take the Rail Trail back up to Foothill. We can probably expect to be back near Los Altos at like 6pm - since this is an all day thing be sure to dress accordingly. Hope to see you there!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3337567278033243772

Summary: 62 miles / 7,400 feet: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce > Dirt Alpine > Black Mountain > Canyon Trail > Redwood Gulch > El Sereno > down Montevina > Jones Trail > Los Gatos > Rail Trail > Foothill

Start: Los Altos Chamber of Commerce (Egan start location)

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Richard Red

Alto Velo A ride-Saturday 3.15 HMB

This Saturday we will head to HMB through Higgins Canyon with an “endurance” pace.

We will remain in Z2 in flat/roller sections (~ 2.5-3 W/kg pace) . Feel free ride the two longer climbs (Kings and W-Alpine) at your own pace as long as you don’t mind waiting at the top where we will regroup. We will have a 20 min stop in HMB for food/water.

Route:https://www.strava.com/routes/3335757289479731044

Summary: 75 miles / 7,500 feet: Summit Bicycles > Stanford Ave >Foothill> Sandhill > Whisky hill > Kings >Tunitas > Lobitas > Higgins > HMB > Hwy 1 > lobitas > Stages > 84 > W-alpine > page

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Hoss Hayati

AV A Ride Sunday 3/9/25 Montebello- down WALP - up 84/Sky

Sunday is looking to be sunny and warm despite the forecast earlier this week! Come on out as we embark on a fun little jaunt around town. We’ll start by ascending Montebello, traverse the dirt section to Page Mill (we will be taking it nice and easy, don’t you worry), descend W Alpine, up on 84/ skyline north, descend 92, back on Canada. We’ll stop briefly at the water fountain on page mill (~mile 21) and then again at the trading post at 84/ skyline (~mile 38). Pace on the climbs is whatever your heart desires as we will regroup at the top. Rest of the ride is conversational pace. Come on out!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3333256084045041554

Summary: 69 miles, 6600 ft

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Brad Lovegren

AV A Endurance - 3/8/25 Bigger Basin

Taking advantage of a race free weekend with an epic Big Basin ride, but modified. We’ll be going up Page Mill, along Big Basin, up Jamison, down Pine Flat and Felton Empire, up Zayante and Hutchinson, down HWY 9, and roll along on Foothill back to Summit.

We’ll have two water stops, one at mile 39.8 Jamison Creek Fire Station, and the second at mile 78.75 Castle Rock, with a lunch break at Wild Roots

Get ready for a 103.81 mile ride with 11,811 feet of elevation gain. Keep a steady 3-3.5 W/kg up the hills, regroup at the top of climbs, and no-drop pace line on the flats and rollers.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3331707823899388748

Summary: 103 mi / 11,800 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page Mill > Big Basin > Jamison > Zayante > Hutchison > HWY 9 > Foothill > Summit Bicycles

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Rachel Hwang

Saturday A Ride - 3/1/2025 - Page Mill/Montevina/Bear Creek

Hello riders, we are going down to Lexington Reservoir this week! We’ll start by climbing Page Mill, going South on Skyline, and after a quick water stop at Castle Rock we can enjoy a ripping descent on the rest of Skyline and Black Rd all the way down to the reservoir. Then we will turn left, climb Montevina, and come back down - don’t get too distracted by the spectacular views as the descent is a bit technical! There’s nowhere to get water until we get back to Los Gatos/Saratoga. From the top of Bear Creek we’ll go left on Summit and then enjoy a nice gentle descent down Old Santa Cruz Hwy before circling around the reservoir to the gravel trail back to Los Gatos. From there it’s just Toll Gate to Eden to Foothill and back home.

Please bring two big bottles!! We’ll be doing around 3.0-3.5 w/kg all day but with minimal stopping, so that we can ideally get y’all home at a decent time.

See you there!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3330317323664617182

Summary: 75 miles / 9,000 feet: Summit Bicycles > Page Mill > Skyline > Black Rd > up & down Montevina > Bear Creek > Toll Gate to Pierce/Eden > 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 Matthews

Sunday A Ride - 3/2/2025 - Bohlman to Saratoga

This Sunday will be incredibly climbing dense, packing in over 11k feet of elevation gain in under 90 miles. Beware: there is also a short dirt section between Bohlman and Montevina. Because of the amount of climbs, we won’t be pushing anything beyond 5wkg up the climbs. Expect an average of 4.2-4.5wkg up climbs. The steepness will be fatiguing, and as such will determine the pace in some sections. The weather is also looking on the colder/wetter side, so be sure to dress accordingly. See you all out there!

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3324175657118933122

Summary: 86 miles / 11300ft: Summit Bicycles > OLH > HW84 > Alpine > Skyline > HW9 > Redwood > Bohlman > Montevina > Black Rd > Skyline > Pagemill > Summit Bicycles

Water Stops: Sky Londa (14.5mi), Saratoga (47mi), Skyline Fire Station (68mi)

Start: Summit Bicycles, Palo Alto

Time: Meet 9:00 AM, Leave 9:10 AM

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

Ride Leader: Devin Wilson