Monte Bello + Stevens Canyon Road/Dirt Loop (22 miles / 3200 ft / C pace)

It's Tour de France season. We're looking for something dumb... ... I mean, a proper hill to climb. Join us for a fun and scenic combination climbing / descending on both road and dirt!

!!! IMPORTANT !!!

• ROAD RIDING REQUIRED! This route includes significant distance on open roads shared with vehicles. You must be confident and comfortable riding in traffic.
• NO E-BIKES ALLOWED! Monte Bello Open Space Preserve strictly prohibits all e-bikes. Rangers do issue tickets!

Logistics

• Meet location: Stevens Creek Reservoir parking lot.
• Meet time: 9:20
• Roll time: 9:30 sharp.
• Parking Fee: $6 parking fee at the lot (very limited free street parking available nearby).

Route

• A looonnnggg climb up Monte Bello Road all the way to the top of Black Mountain (~2,400 ft of elevation gain, averaging 6.7% grade).
• Descent on the single tracks (Old Ranch, Bella Vista, etc.) towards Monte Bello parking lot.
• (optional) Depending on group energy, we can hit extra singletrack via White Oak or Stevens Canyon Nature Trail.
• A looonnnggg descent on Canyon Trail and Stevens Canyon Road back to our starting point.

Difficulty

• Skills: Advanced Beginner. Most trails are not too steep/technical. However, there are some loose rocks and roots on the singletrack sections - keep this in mind if you are thinking of bringing a gravel bike! A few tricky spots are easy to walk if needed.
• Fitness: Intermediate+. Expect a sustained workout with intense climbing. The good news? The majority of the climbing is on pavement or hardpack gravel, so it rolls easier than standard dirt.
• Pace: C. We regroup at every intersection and take it easy on the climbs. No one gets dropped!

What to bring

• Helmet: Must
• Tail light: Strongly recommended for the road sections.
• Water: Lots of it! The upper section of the Black Mountain climb is completely exposed with no shade.
• Snacks: Expect a long day of riding.
• Tools. Basic trailside repair kit. (I will have a tire pressure gauge on hand if you want to dial in your pressures between road and dirt sections).
• Steed: A well-maintained mountain bike or gravel bike.

Group Rules

• Road Safety: Ride single-file and obey all traffic laws.
• Members Only: No guest riders allowed due to liability. If you want to bring a friend, please have them officially join WCMB before signing up.

NOW THE NITTY GRITTY...
West Coast Mountain Bikers is a group riding community. We don't encourage individuals to come out to our rides that want to do their own ride five minutes after starting with us. We start together and stick together.

If you are new to our group, please take a moment to read our Ride Rating Guide, available at the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eml9bs3b9aPik-XF9EuazGouBVefExveQXBc58Nkl9o/edit?usp=sharing

All of our rides require a helmet and properly maintained mountain bike.
Riders should be sure to read the description of the ride fully prior to their RSVP. Rides will vary by location and organizer, so be sure to sign up for rides that are appropriate for your skill and fitness level. If unsure if an event is appropriate, contact the event host prior to the event. If you have an existing medical condition please consult your doctor prior to joining an event.

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The event host and organizers ultimately have the last call on who can and cannot attend a particular event. When a members safety is concerned we will always err on the side of caution.

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