Northern California - going to San Jose

Hi!

I'm a cyclist from Chile and I'm arriving this Jan 1 to San Jose.

Are there any riders from the area around here?

I would like some help about what roads are good for training or info about going in some group rides. Thanks!!

Robinson

Tell us more about the type of riding you do. Are you interested in casual, stop for lunch type rides, or are you looking for a fast-paced, racing-oriented ride? What length of ride, what avg. speed, what type of terrain?

Western Wheelers and Almaden Cycle Touring Club would have more casual rides.
Alto Velo, Pen Velo, SJBC, LGBRC would have more racing, training rides.
There're also informal rides such as: Spectrum (Saturday morning) and Noon (Monday - Friday) rides.

- SteveE

Hi,

I'm looking to more training/racing rides. Also I like mountains, still I do everything to get in shape. Thanks for the answer, I'll be waiting for more news from you.

Robinson

I'm biased but I would recommend the Alto Velo Sunday A-Ride. Check out our website at http://www.altovelo.org (http://www.altovelo.org/) :) and click on "Ride Calendar. If you're a racer, the Saturday B-Ride might be too tame (unless you're just looking to put in some base miles). There are usually a few climbers on the ride, though.

During the week, you can pick up the Noon Ride on Old Page Mill Rd. From the corner of Foothill Blvd. and Page Mill Rd., head west and bear right onto the small road just the intersection. There are usually some folks waiting near the small bridge over the creek. Monday and Friday are easiest; Wednesday the route goes up Old La Honda Road; and Thursday is the highest paced.

As far as roads are concerned, on the west side Foothill Blvd. is primary north/south road used by cyclists to get to the hills. Pretty much all the roads west of Foothill are nice to ride. Some of the are just residential areas but there are a lot of short climbs. The major climbs from east-to-west are Hwy 9, Page Mill Rd., Old La Honda, and Kings Mtn. In the north, Hwy 92 is fairly heavily trafficked and used mainly for descending. Good climbs back from the ocean are: Tunitas Creek, Hwy 84, West Alpine, and Hwy 9. Hwy 35 (Skyline Blvd.) runs north/south along the ridge and can be used to connect the other climbs. Page Mill Road and West Alpine are both fairly technical descents; Kings Mountain perhaps less so.

Other useful roads are Bear Creek Road, Hwy 236 through Big Basin State Park, Pescadero Road, and Stage Road. You can also ride along the Pacific Coast Hwy. (North to south is the recommended direction to take advantage of a tailwind.)

Hope this helps.

SteveE

wow, great post SteveE. somebody please sticky this!

Hi SteveE,

thank you very very much for your help!! I checked the website and maps to have an idea of distances. I'm still looking for a place to stay during the week I'll be there (Jan 1-7). There are so many places to ride!!

I think I'll try to get to group rides to get to know the places better and then try some stuff solo.

I'm really thankful for your help and the time you dedicated in this.

Robinson

Robinson -

Glad to be of some help. Another great resource is the KLIMB program. It can be downloaded from http://www.klimb.org/. It'll help you design a route giving you the total mileage and elevation gain, as well as a printable cue sheet.

Also, on the east side of the valley there is the ride to the Lick Observatory at the top of Mt. Hamilton. It's a 19-mile climb to the top from the corner of Alum Rock Rd and Mt. Hamilton Rd. with two intermediate descents.

SteveE

This is a bit late, but for anyone looking for rides in our area:http://www.bikecal.com/index.asp
Another club not listed by Steve is mine, http://www.fremontfreewheelers.org/ridesThisMonth.html