Hannon Ayer

I think Hannon would be a great choice for the board of directors in 2026 for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he is already a leader within the Alto Velo community. He has been a regular A and B ride leader for the last several years and this past season he also took on additional responsibilities as an Egan leader. As a ride leader, Hannon is incredibly welcoming and has grown the Alto Velo community immensely. He is competitive when appropriate but also the first person to make sure no one is left behind. He emanates the inclusive community of Alto Velo.

I also think Hannon would be a great board member because he is well integrated in all parts of Alto Velo. You can find him being silly with Simon on Coffee and Cake, charging up Egan hills, getting a little dirty with the cross crew in the fall or being the absolute best draft down HWY 1 on an A ride. Because he wears so many hats, I believe he will be a great representation of all members of the club. I know that Hannon has really enjoyed the community Alto Velo has given him and he will look forward to giving back to the club as well.

Robin Betz

Robin’s experience and dedication make her an exceptional candidate for the 2026 Alto Velo Board of Directors. As a 2025 board member and well-known and respected member of the community, she has led multiple rides this year and continues to foster a sense of community within the club. She is committed to mentoring and developing newer riders, including leading Egan rides, running the women's side of the Early Birds training criterium series, and serving on the Redwood City Transportation Advisory Committee. On the racing team, Robin has shown leadership in organizing team skills sessions and is captain of the women’s Domestic Elite squad. Beyond the club, her passion for cycling and willingness to take on new challenges is evident in the numerous climbing endeavors she’s taken on (and won) from Low Key Hill Climbs to Climb to Kaiser. Robin’s commitment to the sport and club makes her a natural choice to re-elect for the Board of Directors.

Katheryn Curi

Hello wonderful AVers! My name is Katheryn Curi and I am running for the Alto Velo Board of Directors in 2026. I have been a member of AV since 2005; I was on the women's pro team from 2005-2010 and have been an active club member since retiring and been on the board many different times since 2011. I want to continue to grow AV as a club and provide our members with the best support we can to help them reach their cycling goals, whatever they may be!

Akin Dirik

I've been a member of Alto Velo since 2007. Before joining the board in 2023, I assumed several informal roles within AV, serving as a designer, builder, and webmaster for the new website, as well as one of the leaders for the Egan Ride. These roles have proven to be fulfilling, giving me the opportunity to extend the club's appeal beyond its current membership.

Thanks to constant website updates and new blog posts from a dedicated group of AV members and ride leaders, altovelo.org now ranks among the top 5 Google search results for key terms such as "Bay Area cycling clubs," "Bay Area group rides," and "Bay Area racing team." In addition to modernizing our website, I helped design the new AV logo.

As a social team member and group ride participant, I've observed the remarkable surge in popularity of group rides that emphasize both the athletic and social aspects of cycling. I believe that the future success of AV depends on attracting new and diverse members encompassing a spectrum (no pun intended) of riders — racers aspiring to AVRT podium finishes, competitive riders aiming for Strava PRs, and all riders seeking Types 1 & 2 fun.

Thanks for your support and considering me in the upcoming election.

Ryan Dyke

Hi AVers! I've been a member of Alto Velo and AVRT for a little over a year now, and it's been eye-opening to be a part of such a well run club. I know that that organization takes a lot of effort, which is why I'm running for the Board of Directors this year. Over the past 15 years, I've spent time working in the bike industry and have helped organize rides and races. You'll often find me on the Saturday B rides or fighting for my life on the Egan rides. I think that AV is the best club in the Bay Area and it has even more opportunity to grow as a community. As a new member of the Board, I would collaborate with the more experienced members for advice and support the club in the best way possible.

Wil Gibb

I am nominating Wil Gibb for the Alto Velo Board of Directors in 2026. Wil has been an upstanding member of the Alto Velo community for a few years.

I think Wil would be an excellent choice for the board because he is a great representation of all parts of the club and race team. A prolific racer, he quickly upgraded from Cat 4 to Cat 3 in his first season racing in 2025. He is also a familiar face on Alto Velo group rides including A, B and Egan rides. Humble and kind, you would have no idea he tops the Egan leaderboard weekly.

Wil has already shown great leadership within the club as well. Well-known for his incredible photography, he co-manages the AVRT instagram. He consistently leads weekend rides for the club and has volunteered to help with various tasks within the race team. He is dependable, quick to answer slack messages and always game to be a team player. For these reasons I think Wil would be a great addition to the 2026 Alto Velo Board of Directors.

Jonathan Lewis

Hello AV, my name is Jonathan and I have been a club member since 2021 when my passion for cycling was reignited by the extra time to be had during the pandemic. Since then I have been a regular feature on B, C, and Egan rides, and have led B and Egan rides at times though mostly I lead the C if I'm leading. I've also volunteered at Pesky, cheered on our racers at Cat's Hill, helped organize banquets, picnics, and other social events, been a mentor, and have helped organize AV groups for event rides like the Marin Century and the Mt Diablo Challenge.

I'm proud that Alto Velo has created such a popular and inclusive riding and racing club in what I selfishly believe is one of the best places to ride on the planet and I would like to serve on the board to continue this good work. I appreciate your vote and support and welcome feedback on how we can build the future direction of the club together.

Katie Monaghan

I am happy to nominate Katie Monaghan for the Alto Velo Board of Directors. Over the past couple of years, Katie has become a key part of Alto Velo’s community. She regularly participates in all of the club's rides, from A-ride to Egan to Coffee and Cake, where she actively helps promote the inclusive and welcoming culture our club is known for. Since joining the board in 2025, she has also managed our relationship with Shake Shack, an effort I'm sure many of you have appreciated.

Katie’s contributions extend deeply into the women’s racing team, where she has become a cornerstone of the group and shown exceptional commitment both on and off the bike. She has taken on key leadership roles, including helping organize team camp, and she brings a positive determination to every ride and race. She encourages her teammates to push themselves and helps create a supportive and motivating team environment. In addition, Katie serves as the team’s social media manager, where she has significantly expanded our visibility and engagement within the Bay Area cycling community. With her reliability, enthusiasm, and community spirit, I believe Katie is an excellent choice for continued service on the Board.

Clark Penado

Clark has quickly become an up-and-coming leader within the team and the broader NorCal cycling community. His presence in the peloton is steady, positive, and influential — the kind of rider who elevates the people around him. Over the past year, Clark has taken on increased responsibilities with the race team, and he has consistently shown maturity, accountability, and a willingness to step forward wherever the club needs him.

I believe Clark represents the next generation of Alto Velo leadership. He brings energy, reliability, and a deep commitment to the values of our team. We look forward to his valuable contributions in the coming year and for many years to come.

Richard Red

I've been riding with AV for several years and have led a quarter of all the Saturday A rides since they began in 2024. Through participating/leading rides, volunteering at the Pescadero race, and attending social events, the AV family has become a significant part of my life and I'm proud to call it my community. Regardless of whether or not I join the board, I look forward to leading more rides and continuing to build the community that has given me so much.

Brandy Stewart

Brandy has been an integral part of Alto Velo for several years now. In 2025 she stepped up to lead C rides and Women's Egan rides, and is a fixture on Coffee and Cake. She has hosted huge crowds of cyclists in her backyard for post-ride pizza, has helped with banquets, picnics, and other social AV events on and off the bike. She is also part of the team behind this year's coffee and cake Christmas lights ride. Most importantly, she is not related to Ed Stewart, as far as we know. A champion for inclusivity and grassroots membership growth, Brandy would make an excellent addition to the AV Board.

Edward Stewart

I am running to continue the progress made over the last three of four years, specifically focusing on inclusion and community building. My plan is simple: to improve the club experience through better resources and rewards.

• Better Gear: Select a new kit vendor who can reliably deliver high-quality apparel.

• More Events: Increase club engagement with additional special event weekends.

• Member Rewards: Maintain and expand on popular weekend rewards (e.g., shakes and pastries) as a thank you for member commitment.

Bernardo Tapia

I am honored to nominate myself for another year of service on the Alto Velo Board of Directors. For the past five years, I have served as the Race Director for the Pescadero Road Race, and I am committed to continuing in that role as we strengthen one of NorCal’s most iconic events. My involvement with Alto Velo goes far beyond wearing the kit or attending board meetings — I see myself as an Alto Velo ambassador on the local group rides, at races throughout the NorCal scene, and within the broader cycling community. I care deeply about cultivating a welcoming, competitive, and service-oriented culture that reflects the best of who we are. Serving on the board allows me to give back to the sport, support our racers, and help ensure Alto Velo continues to grow as a respected, inclusive, and high-performing club.

Louise Thomas

I am nominating Louise Thomas for the Alto Velo Board of Directors in 2026. Louise has been an excellent leader and member of Alto Velo for a number of years.

She is the captain of the Women's race team. As captain, she has grown the team tremendously in the last several years both expanding the number of women who race as well as the quality of the team. She works tirelessly to make sure the race team thrives including mentoring, training, recruiting and managing all the logistics that are required to have a domestic elite race team.

Outside of the race team, Louise is also a critical member of the club. First and foremost, you most likely know her whether you are a regular on any weekend rides or coffee and cake. She is a friendly, consistent and welcoming presence and a frequent leader of Alto Velo B and A rides. Further, when she is unable to lead a B ride, she still goes out of her way to make sure the ride has a leader. Louise has also served as treasurer for the club for the last year and a half. She manages the club's budget to ensure both the club and race team's needs are met. I believe that Louise would be a critical member of the Alto Velo Board of Directors in 2026 and I hope she gets your vote.