A Guide to Gravel and Road Cycling Adventures
Welcome to the ultimate1 cycling hub—a curated ride through everything gravel, road, and cycling-centric. From the grit of Bay Area backroads to the precision of Ironman preparation, here is the best of the bike-related stories and guides.
Gravel Riding Routes & Adventures
The “best of both worlds”—combining road speed with trail exploration.
The Best Gravel Routes Around the Bay Area
A go-to guide for gravel riders featuring scenic backroads and dirt loops. Whether you want a technical grind or a scenic cruise, these are the local legends:
- Montebello Loop: A 20-mile challenge with 2,700ft of climbing.
- Portola via Dirt Alpine: Iconic climbs with coastal views.
- Sanborn County Park & John Nicolas Trail: 15 miles of premium gravel.
- Sierra Azul & Stevens Canyon: Grit-testing terrain for the adventurous.
Race Prep & Gear Strategy
Pragmatic advice to ensure your gear is as ready as your legs.
Master the Art of Packing for Your Next Gravel Race
Packing can make or break your day. This guide covers tire widths (40mm vs 45mm), tubeless repair kits, hydration strategy, and the “nothing new on race day” rule.
How To Pack for an Ironman Like a Pro
Transition from gravel to the road with professional triathlon logistics. Includes tips on aero gear, transition bag organization, and endurance-specific nutrition.
Iconic Road Rides
Classic asphalt, steep grades, and the solitude of the long road.
The Best Road Rides in the Bay Area
A tour through the most famous ribbons of asphalt in Northern California. Includes highlights and coffee stops for:
- HWY 9 & Old La Honda: The benchmarks for local climbers.
- The Pescadero Loop: Coastal winds and rolling hills.
- Half Moon Bay Climbs: Scenic, salt-aired ascents.
- 110-Mile “Around the House”: A massive century loop from Mt. Hamilton to Livermore.
Endurance Reflections & Performance
Cycling is 10% legs and 90% head.
Here is the philosophy behind the miles.
The Everest Challenge – How to plan for it
A personal narrative of a classic local “Double Header.” This post captures the rhythm of a perfect day out on two of the Bay Area’s biggest climbs.
Endurance and Reflection: Insights from Murakami
Connecting the discipline of cycling to the philosophy of Haruki Murakami.
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
A look at why we push ourselves further every year.
Tech, Tools & Data on the Trail
For the data-driven cyclist who loves a good script as much as a good climb.
- Find water along your rides: A web app that will find you good water and coffee spots around your route.
- Resilient Tech for Athletes: How to build apps that don’t fail you when you are 50 miles from the nearest cell tower.
- The Everest Challenge Tool: How to find the best Strava segments to complete 8,848m of climbing.
About Ido Green
Ido is a CTO and endurance athlete who believes that “easy doesn’t make memories.”
Whether he is on his gravel bike or training for his next Ironman, he’s likely climbing a mountain somewhere in the Santa Cruz mountains range.
- It is in the eye of the beholder. ↩︎
Ido Green 