About | Velo Allegro

Founding

In 1988, the newly formed Velo Allegro Cycling Club in Long Beach, CA registered as a racing club with USCF. Fast forward to today and the club has grown to over 100 members.

While the Club’s membership numbers have certainly changed, one thing has always remained the same — our mission to be a great cycling club that provides a safe and welcoming environment for members to achieve their cycling goals.
Our members actively engage in cycling activities that encompass everything from recreational fun-and-fitness rides, to the heart-throbbing, adrenaline-pumping action of racing on the road, dirt and track.

Club Rides

Our home location of Long Beach, California, offers many scenic rides in and around the coastal area with pleasant riding temperatures. We are a great club for cyclists looking to keep fit, improve one’s ability, and have fun with a supportive group of people.

Our rides vary in length and pace but generally include 40 to 65 miles over varied terrain. Our “cruising” tempo is 18 – 21 mph on flat terrain with an increase in the pace on the return leg. Because members’ abilities vary when the road pitches up, we regroup after climbs. The shorter rides will have one bathroom/water stop, and generally two stops for the longer rides.

Additional Details

We start together as one group.
Visitors and new riders should ride at the back until their technical skills can be evaluated.
We stop for flats or other mechanical issues.
We keep a double paceline except when conditions warrant a single paceline.
Riders at the front are responsible for calling and pointing out road hazards and announcing stops for red lights.
Riders keep a steady pace to stay together, but we do not have a no-drop policy.
All riders are expected to support safety by calling out road hazards, riding in a predictable and safe manner, obeying traffic laws, and avoiding confrontations with motorists.
At the first water/restroom stop riders will self-divide into those going long or short.
Regroup at the top of major climbs before heading home.

Saturdays:

Rides are generally 40-50 miles routes and recommended for new members and visitors. After a warm-up pace of 18 mph for roughly 10 miles, we keep a steady pace of 21+ mph on flat terrain, re-group at the top of major climbs, and before heading home.

Sundays:

Sunday rides are generally 55- 65 mile routes with a higher intensity than Saturday and are recommended for more experienced members and visitors. While we are not in a “race mode”, members do like to test their legs on Sundays.

Special Rides:

There are a number of remote start rides where members drive to the start location. Examples are riding up Glendora Mountain Road, riding up to Crystal Lake, and riding in the Hollywood Hills. We also ride to Griffith Observatory and have a club century ride to the Old Towne section of San Diego.

Racing

Velo Allegro is a sanctioned USA Cycling club. Many of our members participate in road, dirt, and track racing events. The club provides members with partial race reimbursement and other value-added programs. Over the years, several Velo Allegro members have won State, National, and World titles.

Velo Allegro's Race/Event Reimbursement Program is designed to promote VA member participation in race, century, and gran fondo events. The program is organized as follows:

Per-event reimbursement is 50% of event registration, up to $30 maximum per event. The total annual race/event reimbursement is $50 per VA member.
To request reimbursement, fill out the race/event reimbursement form on the VA web site with proof of race/event payment.
Total reimbursement will be made once at the end of the year.

To qualify for reimbursement, 1. VA kits must be worn in the selected races/events, and podium presentations. 2. You must finish the event. 3. Velo Allegro must be listed as your sponsored club on race results.

Race Reimbursement

Frank Said ⏤ Newsletter / Website

I've been with Velo Allegro since 1990. I love being a member of VA and riding with my mates.

Jay Farrell ⏤ Treasurer

I focused my cycling allegiance on Velo Allegro in about 2017. Lots of comradery, hills, and thrills have followed.

Lydia Gadaleda ⏤ VP

31 Velo Allegro years have been mostly breathless and nothing but FUN! More to come.

Shelly Imhoff ⏤ President

I began my adventure with Velo Allegro in 2005. It has brought fun and friendship since day one.

Fil Labastida ⏤ Secretary

I love riding with Velo Allegro for its’ positive culture and competitive atmosphere.