Tough hills await Tour riders Tough hills await Tour riders (August 24, 2005)

** Le Tour de Menlo coming up September 26.

Serious cyclists looking for something different are invited to try some of the most challenging suburban hills in the Bay Area during Le Tour de Menlo on September 25.

The new route, about 50 miles, will include a series of climbs totaling more than 5,000 feet, plus prizes for the man and woman with the best times on two of the toughest hills. A much easier 30- or 40-mile route will be available for anyone wishing to skip one or more of the hill climbs.

This year's Tour will benefit the scholarship and community service programs of the Rotary Club of Menlo Park, co-sponsor of the ride, along with the Almanac, the community newspaper that serves Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside.

Deadline for mailing advanced entries is Friday, September 16, although late registration will be available from 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. The $25 entry fee includes a T-shirt.

Riders can download registration forms at www.AlmanacNews.com or find the forms in most area bike shops. Completed entries should be mailed to Le Tour de Menlo, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

The ride begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 25, at Menlo-Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Road in Atherton. After crossing Menlo Park, riders will turn north on the Alameda de las Pulgas and head north to the hills of Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont and Hillsborough.

Maps will handed out at the start to guide riders to each of the climbs, and give them alternate directions if they want a less-strenuous ride.

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