Issue #17: Parallel tracks

The evolution of Alto Velo

If you’ve spent any time on the roads (or trails) of San Mateo or Santa Clara counties, chances are you’ve rolled past a sea of riders in Alto Velo’s colorful gradient kits. Alto Velo Racing Club has been a fixture of the Northern California cycling scene since the late 1980s. But if you think Alto Velo is just an elite race team, you haven’t been paying attention to how the club has transformed over the last few years.

We sat down with long-time Alto Velo member and Club President Edward Stewart to talk about the history of the club, the rising challenge of keeping local road racing alive, and why the partnership between Alto Velo and Bicycle Law feels like a natural fit.

Alto Velo has been a fixture of Northern California cycling since the late 1980s. Photo courtesy of Alto Velo Racing Club.

An evolving peloton: From pro ranks to the “Joy Ride”

When Edward Stewart joined Alto Velo in the late ’80s after looking for a group to join to complement his triathlon training, the club operated primarily as a hardcore Northern California racing outfit. Over the decades, its size and focus fluctuated, at times sponsoring elite squads competing at the highest levels of the sport, and at others operating as a tight-knit local collective.

Post-COVID, however, the club experienced a massive resurgence, growing into an expansive community averaging 350 to 400 members annually.

“We’ve focused heavily on breaking down the barriers between competitive racers and recreational riders,” Edward explains. “Whether you’re a Stanford student, a former world champion, or someone picking up a road bike for the first time, there’s a place for you.”

Today, Alto Velo opens its group rides to non-members and offers a spectrum of ride tiers — including the newly introduced “Joy Ride,” designed as a low-pressure entry point for newcomers. Beyond the pavement, the club actively helps members branch out into gravel and cyclocross by defraying event costs and building supportive off-bike channels via Slack and Google Groups.

Always in the mix. Photo courtesy of Alto Velo Racing Club.

Saving the Pescadero Road Race

One of Alto Velo’s proudest contributions to NorCal cycling is organizing the historic Pescadero Road Race, a staple of the regional racing calendar, for over a decade.

In recent years, hosting a traditional road race in California has become a financial nightmare. Between sky-rocketing fees for California Highway Patrol (CHP) escorts, rising insurance costs, and complex detour management around coastal construction projects (like ongoing work on Highway 84), many iconic NorCal races have simply disappeared.

When Pescadero faced a similar fate, Alto Velo stepped up to revitalize it:

• The multi-sponsor pivot: Instead of relying on a single major corporate sponsor, the club transitioned to a resilient, multi-sponsor funding model supported by local partners.
• Elevating status: Under the leadership of race director Bernardo Tapia and a legion of club volunteers, Pescadero was chosen to host the NCNCA District Championships.
• Community flavor: The 2026 edition was a roaring success, featuring smooth logistics, clean racing, and creative touches — like a self-service water bottle grab station.

Unbound finishers! Photo courtesy of Alto Velo Racing Club.

Alto Velo and Bicycle Law: A shared mission

The partnership between Bicycle Law and Alto Velo began around 2020, sparked by a shared commitment to rider safety, community advocacy, and showing up for the NorCal cycling scene. For Miles Cooper and the Bicycle Law team, supporting Alto Velo isn’t just about putting a logo on a jersey: it’s about standing behind an organization that protects and nurtures local bike culture.

Similarly, the club is more than a place to chase watts. It’s a social sanctuary where people connect through off-bike holiday banquets at Sports Basement, summer picnics at Huddart Park, and charity initiatives like the Bike Hut Classic and the Coastal Classic.

Get out there

Whether you’re looking to pin on a number at Pescadero, dip your tires into the gravel scene, or simply enjoy a Saturday loop through the Peninsula hills, Alto Velo’s doors are wide open.

Keep an eye out for Bicycle Law at upcoming Alto Velo events — and if you see us on a Saturday morning ride (we provide coffee and pastries on the first one of the month), don’t hesitate to say hello!