Dear Members,

We are returning to the roads around the Russian River again and our “base” will be downtown Occidental at the Occidental Lodge.

The dates are September 26th (Friday) to 28th (Sunday)

You may also choose to join us only for the Saturday ride at 1000 (10 AM), if your available time is limited.  The Friday ride is scheduled for 1300 (1 PM).

The Occidental Lodge, which is close to several restaurants, has set aside a block of 10 rooms for us.  Some rooms are more updated than others, but all have a very reasonable rate of only $149.95.

Please let us know that you intend to join us by sending an email at memberatlarge@teamalameda.org and advise if you booked a room at the Occidental Lodge.  We will follow up with you by email to confirm plans and answer any questions.   You are also encouraged to join the #away-ride-occidental-2025 Discord channel where details and arrangements can be discussed, such as coordinating car pools, luggage transfers, and dinner reservations.  Arrangements can also be made by the aforementioned email if you do not wish to use Discord.  

Reservations for the Occidental Lodge

26-28 September 2025

Team Alameda has a block of ten (10) rooms reserved at the rate of $149.95 (not including taxes) per night.  It is advised to preferentially select a room on the upper floor, since the ceiling to the room below transmits noise easily.  You may reserve certain nights and not others, but you are encouraged to remain with our group as long as possible for the social occasions, such as dinners.  Bicycles may be kept in the room, with regard to keeping the carpets and area clean.

Check-In time is 1500 (3 P.M.) and Check-Out time is 1100 (11 A.M.). 

The office closes at 2200 hours (10 P.M.). 

Address: 3610 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA 95465

Phone: (707) 874-3623 for reservations and mention “Team Alameda” for the discounted rate.  You will HAVE TO call them to get the discount.

E-Mail:  reservations@ocidentallodge.com for cancellations.  Reservations must be cancelled 48 hours prior to the arrival date.   

Distance from Alameda to the Occidental Lodge is 76 miles, which is about 90 minutes’ drive time.

Team Alameda Welcomes Alameda Brewing as Our Newest Sponsor!

Team Alameda is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Alameda Brewing, a local gem that shares our passion for community, camaraderie, and the joy of the ride. As a proud sponsor of our club, Alameda Brewing (formerly Alameda Island Brewing) is helping us continue our mission of promoting fun, fitness, and friendship through cycling - and allows us a friendly neighborhood place to end our club rides!

Alameda Brewing has long been a cornerstone of the Alameda community, known not just for its outstanding craft beers, but also for its welcoming atmosphere and support of local causes. Whether it’s hosting weekly trivia nights or taking part in the various street fairs around town, they embody the same community spirit that drives our club. We’re excited to join forces with a business that values connection and local pride as much as we do.

Let’s be honest—few things go better after a good ride than a cold, well-earned beer. With this new partnership, we’re looking forward to post-ride meetups, special events, and maybe even a custom Team Alameda brew down the line. Please join us in raising a glass to Alameda Brewing for supporting our cycling community—cheers to the road ahead!

We encourage all Team Alameda members to show their appreciation by stopping by Alameda Brewing for a pint, picking up a pack to go, or bringing friends to experience their rotating lineup of locally crafted beers.  They are located at 1716 Park Street, about a block away from the Park Street bridge, and their website can be reached at www.alamedabrewing.co.  Supporting our sponsors helps strengthen the entire cycling community—so ride often, ride safe, and drink local!  Thank you so much, Alameda Brewing!

Calling all Cyclists!

Be a part of the movement. 

Participate in Team Alameda’s 8^th annual

Ride of Silence

Ride of Silence is an international solidarity ride honoring the memories of those affected by tragic cycling accidents.  Your presence on this ride will help raise awareness and promote safer streets for everyone.  This solemn event is not only a tribute but also a call to action for improved safety measures for cyclists in our community.

On Wednesday, May 21 at 7pm, we will be riding through the main streets of Alameda in Silence at a pace of less than 12 mph for approximately 8 miles.  We will start and finish at 2417 Central Ave (at the Kaiser steps).  There will be a short presentation before we ride.

On the Team Alameda calendar for May 21^st there is an attachment you can download and print.  Attach it to your bike or your back to let the community know the purpose of this ride.

Recommended are front and rear bike lights and reflective clothing.  

Link for route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42926681

Hope to see you there.

Parking in Half Moon Bay

Harbor Village RV Park

100 Capistrano Rd & Pillar Point Harbor Blvd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

No fee, patrolled, regular parking spots for cars available

Adjacent to Half Moon Bay Airport, officially Eddie Andreini Sr. Airfield (HAF)

Harbor Village RV Park hours (Winter)

Open 08:30AM TO 7PM

Phone Number (650) 730-9395 “Trudy” (manager)

No advance call is necessary, since parking permits have been arranged

Instructions

• Pick up parking permits from RV, which acts as an office
• Mention “Trudy” as a reference and that she has reserved parking passes for

           Team Alameda as requested by Ralph Bruni

• Validity period 28-30 March 2025

• Display on dash
• Proceed by bicycle to Poplar Beach meetup at 11:15 AM (4.7 miles on paved bike path South) or 

    wait for us at the Sacrilege Brewery + Kitchen with outdoor seating at

    730 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (for lunch)

    Phone for pub: (650) 276-7029

• No need to surrender these passes when picking up your vehicle on Sunday

Suggested route from RV park to Poplar Beach:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49974720

Any other parking at another location will be at your own risk, since overnight parking within the City of Half Moon Bay is not permitted!

Cristina asked about a shorter inland return route and others may wish to ride these new roads as well. I have designed a 44-mile route, which would bring us to the Berryessa BART station and home to Fruitvale by latest 1430:

Day 3 - Mission Inn to Berryessa/North San Jose BART via San Jose [may cancel] 44 miles 2,500 feet Avoids dangerous Highway 17 Coffee/Lunch stop at Mile 30, Los Gatos Café, 340 North Santa Cruz Avenue (closes 1430) http://www.losgatoscafe.com/ 47 minutes from Berryessa/North San Jose to Fruitvale ($6.90) No weekend service for South San Francisco ferries Allows for a different return route and scenery for those who do not need to go to Half Moon Bay Subject to change Consult ride calendar

Restrooms Mile   7.8 – Anna Jean Cummings County Park Mile 30.0 – Los Gatos Café (Lunch) Mile 31.8 – Vasona Lake Mile 42.1 – Raymond Bernal Jr. Memorial Park Mile 44.2 – Berryessa/North San Jose BART

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42184742

ANNOUNCEMENT

Santa Cruz Away and Overnight Ride

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 28-30 March 2025

Are you interested in joining us for a scenic and well proven single-day outing or series of rides in Santa Cruz? 

Then sign up as soon as you can, and you will enjoy the rare opportunity to participate on new roads in the off-tourist season! 

As well as great rides, we are planning a few optional happy hours and dinners for more opportunities to have fun with your teammates.

Guests are welcome! 

You may select a single day for your cycling or request a free 2-night parking permit for Half Moon Bay, if riding to Santa Cruz from there.

Just let us know what your intentions are, particularly once you have read the more detailed plan.

This plan will be published following this announcement, which will describe all proposed routes, complete with download links.

In the meantime, please make your reservations among the ten (10) rooms we have blocked.

Signing Up

Please email at away.org@teamalameda.org if you have booked a room and how many will be in your party so that we can coordinate.  Also, please indicate your name, contact details, intended overnight date(s) and any special requests, such as overnight parking permits for Poplar Beach.  If you are able to carry some additional bags for those cycling from Alameda, please indicate that as well.

Use the Discord-channel #away-ride-santa-cruz-2025 to coordinate carpools and planning.

Any rooms in the block that are not reserved will be released on  28 February 2025

Call the Mission Inn & Suites at 1 (831) 425-5455 [Rebecca] for reservations and reduced rate under the group name “Team Alameda”.

One queen bed  $173.00 per night, plus tax, for Friday to Saturday 11 A.M. for room with [$448.56 for two nights, including tax], and

Two queen beds $189.00 per night, plus tax, for Saturday to Sunday 11 A.M. for room with [$484.11 for two nights, including tax].

We are planning another awesome weekend in Occidental - more details to come soon!

Our base will again be at the Occidental Lodge. We have set away a block of rooms for a reasonable price - watch Discord/Newsletter/EMail for an announcement on how to book these.

Likely we'll have rides Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning, with dinners planned. You can also join just one or some of these.

Join the #away-ride-occidental-2024 channel on Discord for more...and let us know if you plan to join!

We regret, that the Summer Solstice Away Ride in Santa Cruz will not take place this year.  For understandable reasons, we did not generate sufficient interest in this event.  If you have reserved a room at the Mission Inn & Suites, we urge you to cancel your reservation.  No penalty fee will apply.  Next year, we intend to schedule this ride in May or earlier, so all participants may also benefit from the off-season rates.

Bike to Work, School or Wherever Day

Thursday is Bike to Wherever Day - a great day to try biking to work, to run an errand, grab a meal, or go wherever! On this same day, students from nine Alameda schools will also be hopping on their bikes for Bike to School Day. 

• Find an Energizer Station, including 4 in Alameda, where you can pick up a goodie bag, get some snacks and get excited about riding. 
• Pledge to Ride and you’ll receive a map of Energizer Stations, bike offers and discounts, and instructions on where to pick up your limited edition 2024 messenger bag.
• Learn more about this day of fun, which is sponsored in part by the City of Alameda!

For additional information go to https://bikeeastbay.org/btwd/

Save the date for our "summer solstice" weekend in Santa Cruz. We'll post more details about routes and hotel bookings soon!