Q - How much is it?

A - Registration pricing varies by distance and registration date. Please refer to the Registration page for current fees.

Q - When can I register?

A - Registration will open on January 1, 2024.

Q - Do all family members have to ride the same route?

A - Yes. An adult must ride with any accompanying minors. Two related adults may register separately at no additional cost if they wish to ride different routes.

Q - How does the trial membership work?

A - Everyone who registers for the Tierra Bella will receive a trial membership to the Almaden Cycle Touring Club (ACTC) through May 31, 2024. This will entitle you to all of the member benefits including bike rides and Tierra Bella training rides, social events, discounts at bike stores, Club RideWithGPS, and more. If you cancel or transfer your registration, you will still retain your trial membership. Tierra Bella is a private event; registratants must be an active member of ACTC.

Q - Do I get an information packet?

A - New for 2024: Registration packets will be distributed at the registration desk at Gilroy High School on the morning of Tierra Bella. Packets will not be mailed this year.

Q - How many riders are accepted?

A - Registration is limited to 1,200 riders.

Q - How late can I register?

A - See Registration page.

Q - Can minors register?

A - Minors must be registered on the application of a paying adult (age 18+) who is their parent or legal guardian. The minor must also carry a signed medical release and ride in the company of a parent or guardian. A family registration includes two adults and up to 4 children.

Q - Can I transfer my registration?

A - If you are registered and paid you can transfer your registration to another person for a $10 fee. Please email register@tierrabella.org with the name of the new rider and your registration ID and have the new rider complete a new registration online, checking "transfer" for the payment option. An email will be sent to the new rider validating the transfer. Once the transfer has been completed, the recipient will begin their trial ACTC membership. The person who transferred the registration will also retain their membership and all benefits thereof.

Q - Can I cancel my registration?

A - If you must cancel your registration, please email register@tierrabella.org with your registration information. Cancellations will be refunded minus a per-rider cancellation fee depending upon the date. Your temporary ACTC Club membership will remain active, even if you need to cancel.

Q - Where is the tour held?

A - New for 2024: All routes start at Gilroy High School, 750 W. 10th St., Gilroy, CA.

Please follow our staff to Tierra Bella's assigned parking lots at Gilroy High School. The post-ride celebrations and meals will be available at nearby Christmas Hill Park.

Q - What if I'm part of a group?

A - Groups arriving in more than one vehicle should plan to meet at the start. Cars arriving one behind the other may be directed into different parking lots in order to get everyone parked quickly and out on the course.

Q - What routes are there?

A - The routes are:

• 30 Miles (711 ft climbing), yellow arrows
• 50 Miles (1860 ft climbing), green arrows
• 74 Miles (3713 ft climbing), blue arrows
• 101 Miles (7182 ft climbing), orange arrows

Q - What time may I start riding?

A - Please plan to start your ride according to the following schedule:

The course closes at 5:00 PM. Riders must start and finish during this interval. Rest stop cut-off times listed on the route sheet will be strictly observed.

Q - What is the latest time that I can start riding?

A - Please check the start times above. If you start later you risk finding rest stops closed.

Q - If I sign up for one route can I change my mind on the day of the ride?

A - Yes. Routesheets and Ride with GPS links for all routes will be made available. If you signed up for a shorter ride and would prefer to ride longer ride, this change can be made by contacting registration at least one week before the ride or at the Rider's Assistance station before riding. If your route change has higher tour fees, we will send a link to pay or collect the difference at check-in.

Q - What kind of bike will I need?

A - We recommend a well-maintained multi-speed bicycle.

Q - May I ride an e-bike?

A - Class 1 and 3 e-bikes (pedal assist only) are welcome on Tierra Bella. Our insurance does not permit Class 2 (throttle assist) e-bikes.

Q - Do you have mechanical/bicycle repair support?

A - We have mechanical support from volunteer mechanics and local bicycle shops (details subject to change).

Q - What food and beverages will be at each of the rest stops?

A - In addition to water and Gatorade and fresh fruit, potatoes, and snacks at all rest stops, we will be adding nut breads and cookies to select rest stops and:

• Gilroy Hot Springs will be serving breakfast food and beverages, including freshly brewed coffee, tea, hot chocolate, V8, muffins, bagels/raisin bread and cream cheese and nuts breads.
• San Martin will serve all of the above as well as PBJs (or just PB or just jelly sandwiches).
• Henry Coe will be serving a mini-lunch for those riding the century ride, including hot soup, PBJs, wraps, and cookies. In addition to Gatorade, V8 and sodas will also be available.
• Uvas Reservoir will be serving a mini-lunch for the mid-distance riders, including PBJs, wraps, and cookies.

Q - What food/beverages will be available at Christmas Hill Park?

A -Lemonade, water, soda and ice cream are included in your registration fee. We will have 2-3 food trucks serving various types of food including Mexican, Asian, and American fare from 11:30am to 5pm. Vouchers ($15) must be pre-purchased for the food trucks during registration. No cash purchases at the event.

Q - What services/festivities will be at Christmas Hill Park?

A - There will be an official finish line with volunteers welcoming riders as they finish and guiding them to a bicycle parking coral. We will have a DJ from 12pm-4pm and a live saxophone player when the DJ is on break.

Q - What if I forgot to order a meal?

A - Please contact registration through our contact page to add meal vouchers to your registration by March 15. Let us know how many vouchers you would like.

Q - Are there campgrounds or motels nearby?

A - Check the following links:

• Visit Gilroy - Hotels
• Visit Gilroy - Camping

Q - Are showers available after the ride?

A - No, you may be able to make arrangements with the motel at which you stayed overnight.

Q - Is there SAG support?

A - Yes, all routes are patrolled by SAG vehicles. When the course closes at 5pm any riders still on the course will be picked up by SAG and transported to the finish line.

Q - What if I forget to pick up my t-shirt order?

A - If you forget to pick up your t-shirt we can mail them to your home after the event for a fee.

Q - What is Tierra Bella doing to address COVID-19?

A - Pandemic Safety procedures

Due to the continuing presence of the COVID virus in the community, the Tierra Bella Century staff is taking several steps to mitigate any chance of the spread of the virus during our event should it be present.

Most importantly, for the safety of the riders and the volunteer staff, we encourage all riders to be vaccinated. Since we understand that not everyone will abide by this recommendation, we will put in place procedures to minimize infection risks.

Therefore, the Tierra Bella volunteers will strive to practice good hygiene procedures with food and water to minimize the risk of virus transmission and we ask riders assist the volunteers by complying with these procedures.

Q - How can I volunteer for Tierra Bella?

A - Please visit our Volunteer's Corner.

We hope we've been able to answer all of your questions about the Tierra Bella Tour. But if you still need some information, please consult our FAQs or contact us:

Clothing Questions - Email: tbclothier@actc.org
General Questions - Email: TierraBella@actc.org Phone: 1-408-255-7957
Registration Questions/Issues - Email: register@tierrabella.org