Despite a persistent morning fog, Tour de Menlo riders found their way around the 30- and 50-mile courses on Oct. 14 and finished with a broad smile and an ice cream sandwich.
Adrian Lobito and Jeanette Mucha flew up Crestview and Melendy, the two timed hills in San Carlos, and will receive the top prize for King and Queen of the Hill — a gift certificate for a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Other riders with top times will receive gift certificates from Menlo Velo bicycle shop in Menlo Park, and dining coupons from the Almanac.
Mr. Lobito’s times were sizzling: 8:13 minutes for the 624-foot Crestview climb and 8:27 for Melendy, 584 feet. Ms. Mucha also smoked both hills, finishing Crestview in 11:04 and Melendy in 11:41.
Second place in the men’s division went to James Elliot, with an 8:54 on Crestview and 9-flat on Melendy. He was followed by Beni Wolf, with 8:59 on Crestview and 9:15 on Melendy.
Brett Ortiz was second in the Queen of the Hill category, with an identical time of 11:31 for both hills. Rachel Nasheny was third, with a 12:53 on Crestview and 12:03 on Melendy.
Tour riders began at Menlo-Atherton High School and headed north on Alameda de las Pulgas, then to Canada Road via Jefferson and Canada College. From there it was into the hills and to the ride’s rest stop in Belmont. The five main hills added up to 5,000 feet of climbing in 50 miles, although many riders chose the 30-mile option, with fewer climbs.
More than 120 riders took part in the ride, which was in its fourth year. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Menlo Park and the Almanac, benefit the Rotary’s tutoring project at Garfield School and high school scholarships.
Here are total times for the top five men and women:
Top five men: 1. Adrian Lobito 16:40; 2. James Elliot, 17:54; 3. Beni Wolf, 18:14; 4. Taylor, 18:53; 5. Harald Vaernes, 19:00.
Top five women: 1. Jeanette Mucha, 22:45 (also 11th overall); 2. Brett Ortiz, 23:02 (also 12th overall); 3. Rachel Nasheny, 24:36; 4. Alison Chaiken, 25:09; 5. Huan Tian, 26:54.
