Date: Saturday, January 4Meet 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: 27
Description:
Welcome to ALC 2014 Quadrophenia! Our goal is to help you eat Quadbuster for breakfast this June, so our first ride takes us to a very Quadbuster-like hill in our own back yard: Westridge Drive in Portola Valley. (Actually, it's a little bit shorter than Quadbuster, but it's a little bit steeper, so it all evens out.)
The reward for climbing Westridge is a scenic, low-traffic short cut between Alpine and Portola roads. We'll take a brief rest stop in Portola Valley and then head back through the Arastradero Nature Preserve and into Los Altos Hills for one more climb: La Cresta Drive, less than a mile long but a stairstep climb of alternating steep and flat sections. We give back almost all of the elevation gain in a very steep descent of only 0.2 mile, and then it's an easy ride back to downtown Mountain View.
Ride With GPS reports about 1,900 feet of climbing; most GPS devices will report a little bit less.
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.
These rides are for experienced cyclists who know how to safely handle their bikes on climbs and descents. 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 and scintillating conversation.
Click here to RSVP
RSVPs are requested but not required.
