Pre-ride and social at Firestone Walker

Why wait until Saturday to start your fun? Our Thursday pre-ride has become a beloved part of the Bovine show–part gentle spin, part wine country tour, all good vibes. It's the perfect way to shake off travel legs, scope out the local terrain, and meet your fellow adventurers before things get properly dusty.

Think of it as orientation day, but with better beer and more cow jokes.

Thursday, Oct 23, 2025
Firestone Walker Taproom
1400 Ramada Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446‍

• ‍1:15 PM ‍- Check in and sign waivers (yes, the lawyers make us)‍
• 2:00 PM - Group rollout (we promise to keep it chill)
• 4:00 - 6:00 PM - Post-ride hangout and socializing (the real magic happens here)

IMPORTANT: You must RSVP to join this ride. No seriously, we need headcounts for snacks and safety. Don't be that person who shows up unannounced and sad.

Route details will be emailed to all Thursday registrants. It'll be beautiful, we promise.

>> Sign up here <<‍

Pre-Ride and Check-In Expo

Friday is all about those last-minute jitters, final bike checks, and caffeinating properly for Saturday's main event. We'll gather at Sunken Gardens for an easy spin around Atascadero's hidden corners–think of it as a gentle wake-up call for your legs and a chance to spot any mechanical gremlins before they matter.

This is your chance to shake out the travel kinks, have some udder-jiggling giggles, and remind your bike that tomorrow actually matters. Let’s keep it a moovelously chill spin.

Friday, Oct 24, 2025
Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens (AMSTRDM Coffee at Palma/West Mall)
‍6505 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422

PRE RIDE

• ‍10:00 AM - Check in and sign waivers (getting the paperwork out of the way)‍
• 11:00 AM - Group rollout (low miles, easy pace)

RSVP required – we need to know how many energy bars to bring.
Route details TBD (but it'll be scenic and not too spicy)

>> Sign up here <<‍

Packet Pick-Up & Partner Expo
Atascadero’s Sunken Gardens

Sunken Gardens turns into Bovine HQ. Grab your race packet, chat with our amazing partners, and soak up those pre-race vibes. The Bay Area’s own Mike’s Bikes will be on hand with some light technical support. 

DJ Boy of Summer will be spinning the perfect soundtrack to get you pumped for Saturday's adventure. 

The Official Stuff: Every rider must check in to collect your racer packet before Saturday's start line. We've got two chances for you:

1. Friday Expo: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (recommended – way more chill)
2. Saturday Morning: 6:45 AM  (for the MOOcrastinators)

BRING YOUR ID – no ID, no packet, no ride. Don't be that person standing at our table Saturday morning looking sad and ID-less.

‍

Parking

Atascadero’s downtown district is going through a transportation renovation. Whenever possible, we encourage you to carpool or ride over to Sunken Gardens. Here’s a GOOGLE MAP with parking options that are very near the venue

‍

‍

Saturday is giddyup time at Bovine 4.0. This is what we've all been training for (or pretending to train for). Time to put those fancy tire choices and heifer haunches to the test.

MOOrning Schedule

• 6:45 AM - 7:45 AM - Last-chance packet pick-up and registration (for the procrastinators)
• 6:45 AM - 7:45 AM - Bag drop station opens. Stash your post-ride gear, recovery drinks, car keys, and that change of clothes you'll desperately want later. Your bag MUST have your rider number on it – unmarked bags will become festival decorations.
• 7:30 AM - Rider line-up by course (Big Bovines to the front, please)
• 7:40 AM - Briefing (the "try not to get lost" talk)
• 8:00 AM - Mass start (and the hoofbeats begin!)

Afternoon Schedule

• 12:00 PM - Festival opens (welcome back, dusty heroes!)
• 12:00 PM - SCC Tech-RideIt bike wash tent opens (first-come, first-served hose-downs)
• 12:30 PM - Food service begins with Super Fiesta Market & Linn's Bakery of Cambria (your legs have earned this)
• 3:00 PM - Live music with Bremen Town 805, aka The Bovine Classic House Band
• 4:30 PM - Awards ceremony (time to celebrate those who suffered most beautifully)
• 5:00 PM - More live music with Bremen Town 805 (because good vibes should continue)
• 6:00 PM - Party ends. As the bartender says, "You don't have to go home, but ya just can't drink here."

‍

Atascadero Parking

A-Town’s downtown district has gone through a rebirth since last year. We’ve added new parking. Whenever possible, we still encourage you to carpool or ride over to Sunken Gardens. 

Here’s a GOOGLE MAP with parking options that are very near the venue

‍

The Courses of Course

Want gpx files with actual turn-by-turns? We’ll email a link to those week of… just in case we need to tweak a turn or two. 

The Bovine Classic uses segment-based scoring, which means your glory isn't measured by how quickly you finish, but rather how MOOnificently you suffered through specific chunks of the route. This format lets you regroup with your fellow bovines between the gnarly bits–perfect for patching up those friendships you just torched by attacking your buddy on a climb. Community over competition, remember? 

The Bovine Classic utilizes RFID technology

Our scoring wizards use fancy RFID timing hardware that's pretty darn reliable. But some of y'all have a special talent for finding creative ways to break things. Here's your guide to not being that rider:

Your bib number (It’s how we know you’re you.) Slap this number on your jersey or hydration pack where everyone can see it. Those two little tabs? One gets you beer, the other gets you food. Leave them attached until you're done riding–trust us, you don't want to be the hangry heifer watching others feast while you negotiate with volunteers.

Handlebar numbers? Nah, not here! We've gone rogue and ditched the handlebar plate. One less thing to worry about, you're welcome.

Your seatpost number (Follow the directions or suffer the sadness.)

This little RFID miracle is what captures your segment heroics. It's a sensitive piece of tech that broadcasts your presence to our timing equipment, but only if you treat it with respect. Bend it, fold it, or stuff it in your jersey pocket, and you might as well be invisible to our timing system.

Follow the application instructions like your podium spot depends on it–because it might. Nobody wants to be arguing about their "actual" time at the beer tent.

‍

We don't have mandatory checkpoints. We do have shared roads.

Look, we'd love to shut down half of wine country for your gravel adventure, but … it’s just not in the cards.So here's the deal: we'll keep the course well-marked with frequent and consistent signage, but these roads aren't closed to traffic.

Grape Harvest Season = Extra Busy Roads October means harvest time, which means we're sharing the roads with local farmers doing actual work and wine tourists doing... well, wine tourist things. Both groups have legitimate reasons to be there, and neither group signed up to dodge cyclists flying down hills.

All Traffic Laws Apply Every stop sign, every traffic signal, every "Yield to Tractors" sign – they all apply to you. We know you're racing against the clock, but nobody's Strava segment is worth a trip to the ER (or worse).

Safety Support on Course We'll have San Luis Obispo Sheriff Search & Rescue (SLOSAR) and CHP on hand to keep you safe. When they give you direction, listen up and obey. They're the pros at this.

Highway 46: Extra Special Attention Required This is our most critical safety point. Feisty Bovine riders will cross and turn left at mile 39.3, Big Bovine at mile 52.6. We've routed you this way to access the Land Conservancy's private ranch (totally worth it, trust us). But Highway 46 is busy, fast, and unforgiving. Be cool and cautious AF when crossing.

Bottom Line: Ride smart, stay alert, and remember that getting home safely is way more important than any podium spot.

Time Cuts (When the cowbell tolls for thee)

All good cows need to come home at a sensible hour... like 6 PM. For this reason, we have a few mandatory time cuts that affect you if you're tackling the Big or Feisty Bovine routes. Miss these cutoffs, and we'll kindly respectfully redirect you to a shorter adventure. Think of it as bovine intervention.

Big Bovine Time Cut #1 10:30 AM at mile 28
Miss this and you'll be redirected to the Feisty Bovine course. Don't worry, it's still plenty spicy.

Big Bovine Time Cut #2 12:00 PM at mile 52.6
Miss this cutoff and you'll skip the ranch section, riding straight across Highway 46 onto Old Creek Road. There's an aid station about half a mile away on the left side, just inside the white gate. You'll still get a great ride, just without the exclusive ranch access.

Feisty Bovine Time Cut #1 12:00 PM at mile 34.7
Miss this and you'll be redirected to the Happy Bovine route. Sometimes happiness is the better choice anyway.

Remember: These cutoffs aren't punishments – they're designed to keep everyone safe and ensure you make it to the post-ride festivities before the beer runs out.

Feed Zones  (Where Hungry Bovines Get Happy. )

We've strategically placed aid stations along the routes to keep you fueled and hydrated. Unlike actual cows with their four-stomach advantage, you're stuck with just one – so we'll help you keep it happy. Because bonking is neither fun nor photogenic.

WATER-ONLY STATIONS Quick stops for hydration when you're still feeling strong:

Aid Station 1 - Templeton Elementary School
Mile 14.6 (All routes) | Water only

Aid Station 3 - Adelaida Cal Fire
Mile 38.3 (Big Bovine only) | Water only

Aid Station 6 - Santa Rita Road
Mile 73.3 (Big Bovine) / Mile 55.3 (Feisty Bovine) | Water only

‍

FULL AID STATIONS The good stuff: food, drinks, mechanical support, and encouragement:

Aid Station 2 - Maha Estate/Villa Creek Winery
Mile 26.5 (All routes)
Mini sandwiches, assorted fruits, chips, nuts, bars, GU products, Skratch Labs drink mix, water, light mechanical support

Aid Station 4 - Cypress Mountain
Mile 47.3 (Big Bovine only)
Assorted fruits, chips, nuts, bars, GU products, Skratch Labs drink mix, water

Aid Station 5 - The Ranch
Mile 61.1 (Big Bovine) / Mile 44.2 (Feisty Bovine)
Assorted fruits, chips, nuts, bars, GU products, Skratch Labs drink mix, water

Aid Station 7 - Templeton Library
Mile 81.5 (Big Bovine) / Mile 64.7 (Feisty Bovine) / Mile 38 (Happy Bovine)
Assorted fruits, chips, nuts, bars, GU products, Skratch Labs drink mix, water

‍

Pro Tip: Don't skip the early aid stations just because you feel fine. Future You will thank Present You for staying ahead of the bonk.

Visit Kevin and his minions at the Ride It Booth for a proper wipe down for your dirty machine. It’s a small crew, so he’ll be washing on a first-come basis and get to as many as he can. Learn more about SCCTech’s fantastic line of cleaning, lubing, and greasing products.

The Gear To Moove You

Let’s dispel any of that 2 AM wondering if your tire choice will make or break your Bovine experience. Let's put those anxious thoughts to rest with some real-world advice from folks who've actually ridden these routes.

Gearing: The Great Debate The SRAM mullet setup has been my trusty companion on Bovine courses, and it hasn't let me down yet. Sure, you might spin out a bit on the descents (we're talking to you, Chimney Rock Road), but when you hit Paso's punchy climbs and those deceptively brutal rollers, you'll be grateful for every easy gear you've got. The Big Bovine is 88 miles of character building – your legs will thank you later.

Tires: The Rubber Meets the Road (and Dirt) Happy Bovine riders can cruise confidently on 38c-42c tires like the Specialized Pathfinder front and rear. They'll roll fast on both our tarmac sections and dirt roads without making you work harder than necessary.

For the gnarlier stuff, I've been running a 42c Specialized Rhombus up front with a 42c Pathfinder in the rear. Those Rhombus knobs really shine on the steeper pitches you'll encounter on Cypress Mountain and inside the Land Conservancy Ranch – places where smooth tires might leave you walking instead of riding.

Bottom Line: Don't overthink it. Ride what you've got, trust your setup, and remember that the best bike is the one that gets you to the finish line with a smile.

‍

1. This ain't a race. It's a fun ride with timed segments. Think of it as strategic suffering with friends. Podiums are only awarded for overall SEGMENT times, not who gets to the beer tent first.
   
   
2. FULLY stop at stop signs and lights unless you're flagged through by our volunteers. Heck, obey all traffic signage like the responsible bovine you are. Rolling stops are for pastry dough, not cyclists.
   
   
3. Never cross the centerline – even if it's invisible or you think you're alone. There's always oncoming traffic: cars, feet, bikes, and the occasional confused wine tourist.
   
   
4. Keep it skinny and share the road. Let cars pass when safe. We're guests in wine country, not the main attraction.
   
   
5. Course markings are gospel. "Neutral," "Slow Down," and "Steep Descent" really do mean keep it chill. Our volunteers aren't just making suggestions – they're keeping you alive.
   
   
6. Leave no trace. Pick up your gel wrappers, energy bar debris, and anything else that falls from your jersey pockets. Fun fact: GU has an awesome gel wrapper recycling program, so save those empties!
   
   
7. Cutoff times are for everyone's safety – including getting our amazing volunteers home before dark. Nobody wants to be searching for lost bovines with flashlights.
   
   
8. Skip the headphones. We want you fully aware of cars, other riders, course directions, and wildlife warnings. Your podcast can wait.
   ‍
9. ‍Wildlife PSA: Those stags are as frisky as hormonal teens. In their quest for romantic adventures, they're known to leap in front of moving objects. Also, beware the kamikaze ground squirrels – they're complete nut jobs and have zero survival instincts.

‍

BE AWESOME (AND KIND) We're all in this herd together, so look out for one another. Treat fellow riders, aid station hosts, volunteers, drivers, wine tourists, locals, and staff like the good humans they are. Courtesy always wins the day. (Pro tip: Be sure to moo at any actual cows you pass – they totally dig the acknowledgment.)

BE SAFE These roads belong to everyone – visitors, locals, farmers hauling grapes, and that one tourist who's definitely lost. Follow traffic rules, make smart decisions, and remember that getting back to the corral safely beats any Strava segment. The centerline rule isn't a suggestion – it's physics and it's serious.

BE PREPARED We'll have support scattered across the course, but Murphy's Law says we won't be exactly where you need us when you need us. Pack your own nutrition, tools, tubes, course downloads, plugs, working phone, and whatever else keeps you rolling. Self-sufficiency is sexy.

BE RESPECTFUL You're riding through someone's backyard – literally. Be cool to drivers even when they're not cool to you. When riding through private vineyards, respect any pace restrictions. This access is a rare privilege that can disappear faster than free beer. Trash goes in proper bins, not in the landscape. A genuine "thank you" to our volunteers goes further than you think.

BE AWARE It's easy to get tunnel vision when you're redlining up a climb or bombing a descent. But zoning out leads to bad decisions. Stay tuned in, follow the rules, yield to faster riders and cars, and never ignore stop signs. Your Garmin data isn't worth becoming a cautionary tale.