The Tierra Bella Tour Coming This Spring

By Eugene Bernosky

Cyclists cheering and celebrating at the finish line of the Tierra Bella Tour in Gilroy, California.

On April 12, over 1,000 cyclists from all over California will visit Gilroy to take part in the 47th Annual Tierra Bella Tour. It’s Santa Clara County’s biggest cycling event and one of the largest events of its kind in Northen California.  

Organized by the Almaden Cycle Touring Club (ACTC), this iconic tour marks the 47th time in the club’s 50-year history that it has launched riders into the scenic Gilroy countryside. What sets the Tierra Bella apart is its "curated" feel; over 200 ACTC volunteers plan the day, providing marked routes, mechanical support, and fully staffed rest stations. Riders begin their morning with homemade bread and cross the finish line into a 50th-anniversary festival complete with food, music, ice cream, and celebratory cupcakes.

 Cyclists post in Gilroy, California during the Tierra Bella bicycle race. A group of cyclists post while standing up during the Tierra Bella Bicycle Race in Gilroy, California. 

Gilroy as a Cycling Destination

Gilroy is a fantastic cycling destination not only during Tierra Bella, but anytime of year. ACTC alone lists nearly 1,000 rides a year, many of which pass through Morgan Hill and Gilroy.

On any given day, the local roads are a sea of club-branded kits: San Jose Bike Club, Western Wheelers, Pen Velo, Cores Tech, and the Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club, to name a few. Even the daily lunch rides from the global headquarters of Specialized Bicycles point south toward Gilroy’s quiet country roads.

Group of cyclists riding across a scenic bridge during the Tierra Bella Bike Tour in Gilroy.

Routes for Every Rider

Whether you’re a casual rider or a seasoned road warrior, Tierra Bella has a route for you. Celebrate spring on some of Santa Clara County’s prettiest roads with these curated options:

  • 30M (blue): ~30 miles, 702 ft climbing – perfect for a relaxed ride and scenic views.
  • 50M (green): ~47 miles, 1,725 ft climbing – a moderate challenge with rolling hills.
  • 100K (yellow): ~65 miles, 3,024 ft climbing – for riders ready to tackle longer distances and varied terrain.
  • 100M (pink): ~102 miles, 6,712 ft climbing – the ultimate test for endurance riders seeking epic climbs and breathtaking scenery.

Every route passes through Gilroy’s flat valleys, rolling hills near Uvas and Chesbro Reservoirs, and even into Henry Coe State Park for those wanting a true adventure. Mid-ride rest stops, including the picturesque Leal Willow Heights Mansion, give cyclists a chance to recharge and enjoy the local scenery. 

A scenic area in Gilroy, California where cyclists on the Tierra Bella bicycle tour will ride. A group of cyclists rides bicycles on a road in Gilroy, California during the Tierra Bella Bicycle Race.

Varied Terrain for Every Kind of Ride

Inside the city limits, Gilroy residents commute to school and work on two wheels. Local recreational riders enjoy relaxed rides around Christmas Hill Park’s miles of dirt trails and paved bike paths that take them past Gilroy’s parks and rich agricultural land.

Heading out of town, road riders appreciate the varied terrain ranging from flat valleys to rolling hills to epic climbs up to Mt. Madonna or into Henry Coe State Park, separated by a mere six miles of flat valley floor. Others come to ride their mountain and gravel bikes inside Henry Coe State Park’s 500 miles of dirt roads and trails.

The Santa Cruz mountains offer both paved and dirt roads to the west. Only 3 miles from the Uvas bike trail, riders can access the local favorite Redwood Retreat Road. It’s a quiet 8-mile out and back paved road with rolling hills, an oak tree canopy section, creeks and vineyards along with easy access to Mt. Madonna. These many ride options, low traffic volume, scenery and varied terrain make the Gilroy region among the best destinations for Bay Area cycling enthusiasts.   

 California poppy flowers with mountains in the distance

Year-Round Riding Weather

Another reason to ride in Gilroy: great weather year-round. Moderate temperatures prevail and colors vary with the seasons. On a warm day you might notice the cooling effect of an oak canopy. The redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains provide all day shade and shelter from coastal breezes. Spring brings the wildflowers, summers are golden, and fall brings warm autumn colors. Wildlife crops up in rural locations year-round. One day it’s the bald eagles on the road to Gilroy Hot Springs, another day it’s a sounder of wild boar in a meadow.

Group of cyclists standing together and smiling during the Tierra Bella Bike Tour in Gilroy.

Come Ride Here April 12!

If you enjoy spinning the pedals, come to Gilroy on April 12 and ride the 47th annual Tierra Bella Bike Tour. It’s a fully curated way to see the best the region has to offer. Agricultural barn-filled flatlands, rolling hills around Uvas and Chesbro Reservoirs, a scenic mid ride rest stop at the Leal Willow Heights Mansion, and two opportunities to ride into Henry Coe State Park, arguably California’s finest state park for riding a bike.

Satori Winery A mother and daughter enjoy a ride at Gilroy Gardens theme park in Gilroy, California.

Make It a Weekend of Fun!

Turn your visit into a family weekend. There is so much to do after an invigorating day on the bike. Take the family to Gilroy Gardens (opening for the season just in time on March 28), sample a few of the wines from the dozens of vineyards in the area and do some shopping in historic Downtown Gilroy and at the Gilroy Premium Outlets.   

Be sure to stop by the California Welcome Center at the outlets for souvenirs and guidance on fun activities for your and your group during your stay. Book now!