The Tierra Bella Bike Tour has been running for 47 years. Four and a half decades of cyclists riding through San Martin, Morgan Hill, and back roads most people never see unless they're on two wheels.
The 2026 edition happens Sunday, April 12. Start at Gilroy High School at 6:15am. That's early, but it's intentional. You ride the cool part of the morning. You're done by early afternoon. You eat ice cream at the finish line.
Four Routes, All Supported
29 miles. 49 miles. 73 miles. 100 miles. Pick the one that fits your fitness level and how much time you want to spend riding. All routes are fully supported. Rest stops staffed by volunteers. Mechanical support if your bike needs attention. Medical support if you need it. Not a race. Organized in the best way.
The Almaden Cycle Touring Club runs it with 200+ volunteers. These are people who love cycling and love the South Valley. They show up every year to make sure the routes are clear, the stops have water and snacks, the riders make it home safe.
The Details That Matter
Coffee and nut breads at check-in. Not fancy. Real fuel for the morning ride. Ice cream at the finish. The kind of simple eating that comes after exercise and feels like the best food you've ever had.
The routes take you through views you've probably driven past a hundred times but never actually seen. When you're on a bike, you notice things. The way the roads curve. How the hills rise. What the land looks like between the houses and the crops. You get a different relationship with the place where you live.
If You're New to This
Tierra Bella is a good entry point. Other people will be there at all fitness levels. The volunteers are kind. The routes are marked and supported. You won't get lost.
Sunday, April 12. Gilroy High School. 6:15am start. Get there early. Register.
South Valley Spotlight covers the outdoor events, traditions, and community moments that matter in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Martin. Subscribe at southvalleyspotlight.com.