Robin Betz

Robin’s experience and dedication make her an exceptional candidate for the 2025 Alto Velo Board of Directors. A 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. On the racing team, Robin serves as a mentor to aspiring racers, has shown leadership in organizing team skills sessions and, for the coming season, will be stepping up as 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 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 2025. 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 a new AV logo which will be featured on our 2025 kits.

In my role as an Egan ride leader, social team member, and B/C/LHR/Coffee/Climbing ride participant, I've observed the remarkable surge in popularity of group rides that emphasize both the athletic and social aspects of cycling. While not all participants are AV members, many opt to join because they find the experience fun and challenging. 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.

Katie Monaghan

As an invaluable bridge between the club and the racing team, I am confident that Katie would excel in representing both sides as a member of the board of directors. As a consistent participant in a variety of club rides—including A, B, C, Egan, and Women's rides—Katie is deeply integrated into the community. She is also a key member of the women’s racing team, where she has shown exceptional dedication, becoming one of the most prolific competitors in the past season while encouraging her teammates to push their limits as well. Additionally, Katie took on the crucial role of social media manager for the team, further demonstrating her leadership. If elected, she will undoubtedly be a strong and inclusive advocate for all of Alto Velo, ensuring that every member is represented and heard.

Cameron O’Reilly

Over the past few years, Cam has demonstrated exceptional dedication to Alto Velo. He has played a pivotal role in many aspects of running the club, from negotiating sponsor contracts and kit designs to leading the men’s racing team as captain. Under his leadership, the racing team has grown from a small local squad into one of the Bay Area’s largest and most successful teams, with a Domestic Elite squad competing successfully at the national level. Cam’s tireless efforts have already shaped Alto Velo’s success, and if re-elected to the board he will undoubtedly propel the club to even greater heights.

Clark Penado

Clark is the perfect candidate for the Alto Velo Board of Directors as his experience as a rider and racer is exactly what we seek to provide for the cycling community. Clark began riding with Alto Velo in 2023 thanks to the efforts of then-Board member Chris Davis organizing our summer pop-up crits, and through this group ride and others got to know many club and racing team members. Clark joined AVRT in 2024 and has brought determination and a positive attitude to every race. He traveled on his own to race Valley of the Sun, raced University RR despite a broken front derailleur, and consistently inspired and welcomed new riders in the Cat 4 fields. Clark’s positive and persistent personality is exactly the kind of leadership we need for Alto Velo.

Jerome Sierra

Dear AV Members,

I am excited to announce my candidacy for a fourth term as your board member. Reflecting on my cycling journey, it has profoundly impacted my life in terms of personal health and friendships. This passion motivated me to join Egan, become part of AV, and subsequently serve as an AV board member. Giving back to the community and sharing the benefits of this incredible sport with others has been a fulfilling experience.

Over the past two years, AV has evolved into a prominent cycling club in the Bay Area, achieving outstanding racing results and expanding our core weekly rides. Egan rides have consistently attracted over 100 participants, a testament to the dedication of our club members, leaders, and board members. We have successfully increased our co-leadership, offering practical and safe rides for all, including a dedicated women's ride led by a committed leader.

Our collective efforts have led to the launch of several initiatives, including a new website, new Slack Channels, new IG/social media platforms, and a social group.

The 2024 recap:

• Co-managed Egan Ride, Alto Velo climbing ride every Tuesday with over 5 leaders. Egan has been one the most popular rides in the Bay Area.

• Managed Egan IG accounts and posts.

• Designed and launched the 2022/2023/2024/2025 Egan Jersey Collection in collaboration with Eliel Cycling.

• Advocated for Rider Leaders and obtained a budget to fund AV/Egan leaders jerseys.

• Advocated for Egan riders and obtained a budget to fund various after ride parties.

• Managed the Member Registration Process, Guest Waivers, and various events via BikeReg since 2022

As we look ahead to 2025, my priorities include:

• Women’s Inclusivity: Expand women-specific ridership in AV and Egan through targeted events. We will adding 1 new Women leader at Egan in 2025

• Community Collaboration: Strengthen ties with local non-profits for impactful initiatives.

• Engaging Club Experience: Introduce in-person club meetings with influential speakers, and offer skill clinics and bike mechanic classes to enhance members’ expertise.

• Broader Community Connections: Collaborate with local non-profits to expand membership and foster community goodwill.

• Equal Benefits for All: Advocate for equal access to benefits, fostering a fair and inclusive club environment.

• Positive Club Culture: Continue fostering a positive culture at AV, building a solid foundation for leaders and volunteers.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve you for another term and to contribute to the continued success and growth of AV.

Edward Stewart

I am passionate about cycling and deeply invested in the success of the Alto Velo Racing Club. As a long-time member of over 25 years and your 2x President of the club, I have helped organize our group rides and have led over a dozen C Rides this year as well as re-initiated the Thanksgiving Climb of Mt. Hamilton. As a present board member, I also bring financial responsibility to the budget process and look to make sure our programs provide for all our constituents. This last year the board has focused on a collaborative approach to enhance our goal of inclusivity. My mission state is to foster a more inclusive and welcoming community for all members. I want our club to be welcoming to all riders and provide them a way to get outside, enjoy nature and provide a social outlet for exercise. Combining this with organizing social events like post ride coffee / tea, banquet / picnic, I continue to look for ways to make sure your engagement with the club is rewarding. Thank you and rubber side down.

Bernardo Tapia

Bernardo’s leadership of Alto Velo and the Pescadero Road Race has earned him immense respect from the entirety of the NCNCA and members should absolutely elect him for another year of serving on the Board. Bernardo is a leader who delivers results. He has now successfully run Pescadero the past three years, twice as district championships for different events. In addition to his leadership for Pescadero, Bernardo has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping the Board negotiate contracts with vendors and saving the club money in our regular operations. Bernardo is a stand out contributor to Alto Velo and we would all greatly benefit from electing him to another year on the Board.

Louise Thomas

Louise’s contributions on and off the bike over the past several years make her an easy choice for the 2025 AV Board. Louise is always up for a challenge. She has shown persistence through her Everesting of Bonny Doon, ambition in traveling to compete at larger races like Valley of the Sun and Tour de Bloom this year, and strong organizational skills in taking over duties as club treasurer. She already serves Alto Velo as the captain of the AVRT women and should absolutely continue to serve on the Board of Directors in 2025.