A great ride!

Congratulations to the nearly 300 cyclists who took part in the Aug. 16, 2008 Tour de Menlo and enjoyed a beautiful and scenic ride down the peninsula to Picchetti Open Space Preserve and Winery. From the start at Menlo-Atherton High School riders on the 65-miler turned north to Edgewood Road, across Highway 92 and around Crystal Springs Reservoir to the first water stop. The route then turned south to Woodside and on to the second water stop in Portola Valley, then nudged into Los Altos and on to Picchetti for a delicious lunch of Draeger's sandwiches, accompanied by fresh fruit and cookies. It was a feast served in a grove of oak trees just down the hill from the historic winery. The return to Menlo-Atherton on Foothill Expressway was a piece of cake.
The shorter, 37-mile route, was a favorite of many riders Saturday, who started an hour later and arrived at the Picchetti property just in time for lunch. Most even enjoyed the half-mile climb up Montebello Road to Picchetti, although all riders were able to hitch a ride up the hill if they wished.

We would like to thank everyone for helping to raise almost $10,000 for Rotary tutoring and scholarships!

Click here to see over 100 photos of the entire ride.

Lunch at the scenic Picchetti Open Space Preserve and Winery

Tour de Menlo organizers were first struck by the beauty of the Picchetti Preserve site during a recreational ride this spring. After meeting the peacocks and Smiler, the manager of the Picchetti property, it was decided that this had to be the lunch stop for the 2008 Tour de Menlo. From all comments received on ride day, we made the right decision. With plenty of room to relax in the shade of the numerous heritage trees on the property, and the high quality lunch catered by Draegers, Picchetti is one of the most memorable lunch stop locations among the many Peninsula rides offered this year. Plan now to join us in 2009 for Tour de Menlo and an even better lunch.  

Ride benefits Rotary Tutoring, Scholarships

The ride's main sponsors are the Rotary Club of Menlo Park and The Almanac, the newspaper that serves Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside. Many other local businesses and organizations also sponsor the ride.  Click to see sponsors.  All proceeds from the ride benefit Rotary tutoring projects at Garfield School in Redwood City and the Rotary scholarship program, which awards more than $65,000 every year to seniors graduating from Menlo-Atherton, Sacred Heart, Menlo School, Eastside Prep and East Palo Alto High School.

Full SAG support

Tour de Menlo offers full SAG support, including a rest/water stop and lunch catered by Draeger's at Picchetti Preserve. The course will be well-marked with Route Arrows and Rotary Club members will direct traffic at challenging intersections.

Start at Menlo-Atherton High School

Menlo-Atherton High School at 555 Middlefield Road will host the start. Register and begin the 106 kilometer ride after 8 a.m. and the 56 kilometer ride after 9 a.m. There is plenty of free parking at the school.  Click here to see the course descriptions and maps.