2024 El Camino Real Ride (Santa Clara to Palo Alto)

Join us for the 2024 El Camino Real ride in the South Bay! We will cycle at a relaxed pace through Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View and stop for free refreshments along the way. This ride will be fun and safe as we take over the right-most travel lane as a group, cars politely go around us using the other lanes, and we follow all traffic laws. Our ride is a rare and safe opportunity to experience the exhiliration of riding on El Camino Real, on which normally nobody rides. Note: This ride is not like San Francisco's Critical Mass which blocks car traffic.

E l Camino Real is a major thoroughfare connecting the hearts of cities from San Jose to San Francisco and beyond. Many businesses and future residences are situated on El Camino Real. Unfortunately, this road is made for cars -- multiple car lanes but no bike lane. Some cities have plans to install bike lanes. We need to advocate for safe bikeways and have them done soon.

The route is about 14 miles long, starting from the Santa Clara Caltrain station and ending at Palo Alto's Cal Ave Caltrain station. We will be riding on El Camino Real for most of the way, but may make some detours to avoid highest-stress segments. A route map will be provided to all registrants in advance of the event.

Arrive at the Santa Clara Caltrain station between 8:30-9:00 AM to check-in. At 9:00 AM, we will hear speeches from elected officials pertaining to current events and and plans for El Camino Real. We will roll out as close to 9:00 AM as we can. If you're taking Caltrain, here's the Caltrain schedule. If you're driving to the Santa Clara Caltrain station, you may park several blocks away for free at nearby streets like Benton, but allot extra time. This ride is open to all ages, but children under 12 must be able to ride without training wheels or sit on a seat that's attached to an adult's bike (e.g., bike seat, tandem bike, trail-a-bike, bike trailer). Please bring a helmet, water, a quick snack, and sun block. At least two restrooms will be available along the way if needed.

This event is brought to you by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition local teams of Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. For any questions, reach out to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition