Date: Saturday, January 5Meet time: 9:30 a.m.
Ride-out time: 10:00 a.m.
Meeting place: Parking lot at Villa and Franklin streets, Mountain View (across from the Tied House) (map)
City: Mountain View
Rain policy: Heavy rain cancels
Category: 2 - moderate pace (10-12 mph)
Terrain: 3 - rolling hills with some steep climbs
Miles: 40
Description:
Entering our sixth season in 2013, the AIDS/LifeCycle Distance Training rides have become a Peninsula and South Bay institution. These rides start in January each year and culminate in mid-May with the Altamont Pass Double Metric.
Our season kicks off with an all-new destination for the Mountain View rides: the scenic campus of Cañada College, with spectacular views 750 feet above the bay. Of course, that means we'll have to do some climbing to get there, and today's route is the moderately challenging Farm Hill Boulevard. It's not a long hill, but it's very inconsistent -- some gentle parts, some intermediate descents, and a couple of really steep parts. (Cross-training is perfectly OK!) And when you arrive on campus and think you're at the top, think again: There's one final push before you reach the glorious views at the top.
We'll then descend to Cañada Road and play around in the hills a little bit before taking our rest stop of the day at Roberts Market in Woodside. After that, the rest of the ride is comparatively tame ... but we will visit the Los Altos Hills quarry site and ride around the Loyola golf course just to wrap things up with a little more climbing.
There's only about 2,500 feet of total climbing on this ride, so it's not exceedingly difficult. And our friendly and experienced ride leaders will be on hand to offer help, advice, and occasionally a song or two. Because the Distance Training rides are for intermediate and advanced cyclists, we assume that you already have basic knowledge and ability in cycling, and you should have completed a ride of at least 25 miles with at least a few hills sometime in the past month or so.
This ride is Caltrain- and VTA-friendly. The first southbound train of the day leaves SF at 8:15 and arrives in Mountain View at 9:29. We're about four blocks from the station.
Please RSVP even if you're not sure you're attending. We use the RSVPs to plan support (including free bagels!), and if the weather might cause problems, it's important that we be able to reach you. Also, join our Facebook group to get additional updates, conversation, and perhaps a recipe or two.
Click here to RSVP
RSVPs are requested but not required.
