What Are the Different Alto Velo Group Rides and How Do They Differ?

Updated

Alto Velo Racing Club, a Northern California cycling club, runs several weekly group rides that range from a hard, sustained 3–5 hour effort (A Ride) to a casual coffee-stop spin (Coffee & Cake Ride). The right choice depends on your fitness, your goals for the day, and whether you want a structured workout, a skills session, or a social recovery ride. Below is how each ride is described by the club, followed by guidance on matching a ride to your situation.

Ride-by-Ride Comparison

Ride Character Best for
A Ride The club's most challenging ride; expect a hard, consistent pace for 3–5 hours Strong riders seeking a demanding, steady effort
B Ride Challenging no-drop ride climbing local iconic hills such as Old La Honda and Kings Mtn Riders who want a tough climb-focused day but with the security of staying together
C Ride A more moderate workout; practice group riding skills in a supportive, controlled paceline Newer group riders or those building confidence in a paceline
Egan Ride / Climbing Ride Hill intervals for riders bored with structured training who want to raise fitness Riders who prefer interval-style climbing over a steady group pace
Women's Ride Alto Velo Women's Ride Women riders looking for a dedicated group
Joy Ride Learn to ride a bicycle Beginners learning to ride
Coffee & Cake Ride Casual ride with a coffee stop Social, low-pressure riding
LHR Ride Mid-week "low heart rate" recovery ride Recovery days between harder sessions

How to Choose

Pick the A Ride only if a hard, consistent 3–5 hour pace is what you're after — the club frames it as its most challenging option, so it suits experienced riders rather than first-timers.

Pick the B Ride if you want a genuine challenge with iconic local climbs but not the risk of being dropped: it is explicitly a no-drop ride, so the group regroups rather than splintering.

Pick the C Ride if your priority is learning to ride safely in a group. The controlled paceline format is the club's skills-building ride, making it the natural step before moving up to B or A.

Pick the Egan Ride if you want fitness gains through hill intervals rather than a steady group tempo — the club positions it as the alternative for riders tired of structured training.

Pick the Coffee & Cake, LHR, or Women's Ride for social, recovery, or community-specific riding rather than performance.

Practical Notes Before You Join

  • New riders should check the waiver. The club lists a "Waiver for New Riders," so expect to complete it before joining a ride.
  • Registration is separate from ride choice. The site notes that 2026 registration is open with a "Join Here" link; ride descriptions don't state whether non-members may sample a ride, so confirm membership requirements through the club before showing up.
  • Ride lengths and start details aren't specified on the page. Only the A Ride's 3–5 hour duration is given; check the club's event calendar for current times and meeting points.
  • The club also lists other group rides, local routes, and Zwift rides, so there may be additional options beyond the named rides above.

If you're unsure, start with the C Ride to build paceline skills, then move to the B Ride once you're comfortable climbing in a group — and save the A Ride for when a hard, sustained pace is exactly what you want.