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Bicycle Exchange location: 3961 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA MAP.

Interested in volunteering? Explore our event calendar and visit our Eventbrite page to RSVP for upcoming opportunities. New volunteers can find details about our volunteer roles and general information.

Stopping by our shop? Make an appointment to shop for a bicycle or parts, ask us questions about volunteering, drop off a donation, receive service for your bike, or anything else! Shop Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12 pm - 5 pm.

Have a bicycle to donate? Donate bicycles and parts by emailing us photos and details of what you have, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We'll let you know if we need your items and get you the drop-off details. Please do not make an appointment to drop off a bicycle without emailing us photos first; we cannot accept all bicycles and parts.

The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange is a Section 501c(3) non-profit organization.

Have questions? Contact us.

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Welcome to the 2025 "Thaco Thursday" Tours!

Get ready for a NEW bi-monthly group ride series brought to you by Western Wheelers and Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange! Starting on Thursday, February 6, this exciting series will start and finish each ride at the Silicon Valley Bike Exchange (SVBE), located at 3961 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, just north of San Antonio Road.

What is a “Thaco Thursday Tour” and what’s it all about?

Well, “Taco Tuesday” was already taken and “Waco Wednesday” didn’t sound good, nor did most other days, so “Thaco Thursday” was the only logical choice!

We created this series to bring together cyclists to enjoy delicious tacos while supporting small local businesses and exploring the area’s bike-friendly paths, trails and bridges. We also highlight some unique local history and our beautiful scenery, maybe we’ll discover some new things, and of course, we’ll have fun cycling together too!

The Details:

  • Ten unique routes: each ride is from 30–32 miles long and includes a taco stop about two-thirds of the way through. Eight of the routes are loops, and two are “out-around-and-back”. All routes prioritize safety with minimal busy roads and feature as much car-free riding as possible—some nearly 2/3rds on bike trails or paths! Yes, we do go out of our way to utilize a path or two.
  • Elevation: routes range from less than 300 feet of total climbing, aka “flat as a pancake” to just under 1,600 feet. The ten routes average 935 ft. gain and 30.9 mi. or just 30.3 ft/mi. All rider abilities are welcome, newbies could feel a bit challenged and veterans will enjoy the scenery, the company and the tacos!
  • Pace: we’ll ride at a social B+C-ish pace (10-15 mph. avg.) with multiple regroups at restrooms, water fountains and points of interest. No one will be dropped.
  • Taco stops: chosen for their delicious food, small business charm and outdoor seating (or a nearby park, in one case). Bring some cash & a card as some locations may only accept one form of payment.
  • Additional stops: some routes will include an optional coffee stop, a bakery or a sweet shop within the first third of the ride. But no one will be coerced to buy or consume something sweet, aromatic, freshly baked or delectable.
  • Ride Timing: arrive at SVBE by 9:45 am for a 10:00 am roll-out. We aim to reach the taco stop before noon to beat the possible lunch hour rush.
repaired bicycles in the foreground, volunteers repairing bicycles in the background, at Bicycle Exchange

What to Bring:

  • Helmet (worn on your head ;-)
  • A safe, well-maintained bike (NO throttle assist e-bikes allowed; but pedal-assist e-bikes are fine)
  • Comfortable clothing for cycling. Lights and hi-viz stuff is a great idea too!
  • Hydration and sun and eye protection. (sunglasses)
  • Excitement and a hankering for great tacos and a fun ride!

Ride Schedule:

  • First ride: Thursday, February 6 (postponed to Friday, February 7, due to rain)
  • Next rides: Thursday, February 20 and Thursday, March 6
  • Rides occur on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Rain or wet roads will cancel the ride, which will then be rescheduled for the following Thursday or some other day. For the latest schedule, visit westernwheelersbicycleclub.wildapricot.org/ride_calendar or email Randall or Toni—see contact info below.

Meeting Spot:

Our rides will start from the Silicon Valley Bike Exchange (SVBE), 3961 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto. This is a NEW start location for Western Wheelers rides! Our front door is located in the parking lot behind the building (off Corporation Way). Though SVBE is closed on Thursdays, restrooms will be available and parking is ample in the lot behind the building. We’re working to make the shop open Tuesday and Thursday in the near future for even more weekly access!

Membership:

This ride series is organized by the Western Wheelers Bicycle Club for its members, but guests (non-members) can participate for up to two rides. There will be a ride signup sheet to give your name and phone number before each ride, for during-ride tracking and safety purposes. Additionally, all non-members must sign a waiver releasing Western Wheelers from any liability on these rides. Annual individual club dues are just $35—you can sign up here: Western Wheelers Membership. It's a great bike club and well worth it!

Route Info:

The week’s ride route will be posted to the Western Wheelers ride calendar on the Monday before the ride. Along with the route info and description, we’ll have links to the ride with GPS route and a PDF to print your own (old school) cue sheet too. The leader will bring one or two of those maps and Q’s just in case anyone forgot theirs.

Contact Us:

  • Randall Braun: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (415) 265-4663 (textable)
  • Toni Gregorio-Bunch (SVBE Volunteer Coordinator): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First Ride Info:

  • Date: Thursday, February 6
  • Meet Time: 9:45 am
  • Roll-Out: 10:00 am
  • Distance: 31.3 miles & 885 ft. gain.
  • Ride with GPS & map/cue sheet PDF released on Monday 2/3

Come ride, eat tacos and have fun with us! We can’t wait to see you on the road!

We have a very cool “TTT” event specific wearable in the works, both as an enticement and a reward for joining in on the fun. We’ll keep you posted on that soon!

Read More

Wondering where the rest of the home page articles went?  Turn to our Past Articles, Past Featured Volunteers, or Past Featured Bicycles pages to see them.
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