Best Century Ride

[saab2000]

Hey Folks,

Just sitting around wasting time on my computer again trying to come up with good topics.

What would be the best century rides you folks have been on?

Given my past in racing and not really just recreational rides I must share my own best.

Before I went to Europe to live last time, in 1992, I used to ride in a century which took place in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was called the Octoberfest Century and took place on the last weekend of September or first in October. It was sort of the last road event in the area for the season and usually attracted a pretty good group of hardcore racers, in addition to the recreational types.

If I recall correctly, the start for the "fast group" was at 8:00. Anyway, it was early and we had to get up early to drive down from Minneapolis.

The Octoberfest 100 was most assuredly a race, in spite of the briefing by the organiser at the start that, "this is not a race". The trophies awarded to the first 10 finishers were the biggest I have ever seen at a non-race. Also, the finishing times of less than 4 hours were pretty good for "tour".

My experience in this non-race was always really great. It took place in the hilly area in West-Southwest Wisconsin. This area down towards Madison is, IMHO, one of the best kept secrets in the US in terms of great riding. It is hilly and the roads are quiet.

Anyway, the Octoberfest got its reputation for being a great event in the very early '80s. For those who don't know, Greg Lemond's wife is from La Crosse and Greg himself used to ride the Octoberfest, along with some of his other buds from the US national team, some of whom came from, or lived in, Wisconsin. It was known for being fast and furious as the locals had to try to beat Greg at his own game. Apparently they often were successful as he was usually tired, but a couple of times legend has it that he decided to play hardball and beat them all by many minutes, showing who really was boss.

The last time I rode the 'Fest was in 1992. I had a good ride and finished in the first group, but we were all beaten by some TT specialist who took off after 1 mile and was never seen again until the finish. Our time was about 3:55 and he was about 5 minutes ahead of us.

This area of Wisconsin has some pretty decent hills and is not just laid out on a grid like eastern Wisconsin is. The route of this ride wound through some neat towns and I think went through Sparta too. The race route took us over 3 quite significant hills in addition to a good bit of just normal rolling terrain.

I have great memories of a number of these "non-races". They were the best chance we had in the US to get some Euro-like racing and were quasi point-to-point races, unlike the steady diet of crits and lame circuit races we did all summer long. The riders were often the same as in the "real" races and the rules of common sense were there, but there were no officials.

I think that there are a bunch of events like this in France each year, but in Switzerland there was just one and I never got to participate.

Anyone else with stories of legendary century rides out there? There must be tons!

[Jeff N.]

Solvang, California: The Solvang/Santa Maria Century. Far and away my favorite. It's rated "difficult", but it's not all that bad. Around 5,000 feet of gain. Beautiful country roads to cruise, nice climbs and decents, wonderful SAG stops, it has it all. USPS trains out on the route from time to time. I haven't missed that ride in 14 years. It's every 2nd Saturday in March.(www.bikescor.com for info.) Jeff N.

[Trouble]

El Tour de Tucson.
It was my first 109 mile ride. Beautiful ride, 7000+ riders.
Looking forward to this years.

[Jeff N.]

El Tour de Tucson.
It was my first 109 mile ride. Beautiful ride, 7000+ riders.
Looking forward to this years.Hey! I'm there too! My first time for that one. Someone told me theres a sort of bottleneck in that ride, something about a narrow passageway over a small creek, with hundreds of riders waiting to go across. Hmmmm....hope they have that squared away this year. My whole club (www.R-2-R.org)will be doing that one. I look foreward to it. Jeff N.

[davep]

My first and best century was America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, around Lake Tahoe. Spectacular scenery, great support, not an excessive amount of climbing (about 3,500 ft).

[Jeff N.]

My first and best century was America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, around Lake Tahoe. Spectacular scenery, great support, not an excessive amount of climbing (about 3,500 ft).I've always wanted to do that one. Jeff N.

[Lost Weekend]

I second the Tahoe century. Best one I've had the pleasure of doing.The rest stops are well stocked and the view is breath taking almost the entire ride.
They have a great after ride party at one of the big casino's with a pool, live band, and adult beverages.
I'm really looking forward to next year's!!!!! :beer:

[dts]

Lake Tahoe is a great ride even without support, except that 10 miles of road south of Tahoe City is narrow and the bike path is practically un-usable due to too many road crossings. Do they calm traffic somehow on ride day?

[Oaklandhills]

DAve P - what time of year is the Tahoe century? I live in Oakland and am trying to schedule rides for next year.

[LegendRider]

The best century I've ridden is Six Gap in North Georgia. Nearly 11,000 ft of climbing on six major climbs - most of which have been used in the Tour de Georgia. It's not a race, but you'd better believe people race it. Cesar Grajales from Jittery Joe's "won" it in 2003. This year a local guy won. A time below 5:00 is stellar and top climbers usually finish in 5:15 or so.

[Lost Weekend]

They do a good job of traffic control on the Tahoe ride. Penty of signs to let motorist's know and good coverage in all the local newspapers.
There was about 3000 riders last year which seemed to create a steady
string of riders for the first half of the ride. I think all the local's know to stay off the road that day.

[Lost Weekend]

Oakland hills- Tahoe ride is the first weekend in June. You must sign up early and get a room or place to stay, because it fills up fast.
The same people who put this century on also do the same ride around the lake in september I believe. :beer:

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . any one I can finish in under six hours!

BBDave

[davep]

This from AMBBR's web site <http://www.bikethewest.com/AMBRR.html>

"The date for next year's event is always the first Sunday in June and will be held on June 5, 2005. Online registration will be open in January, 2005, and the event does sell out by end of March or mid April."

It is a big event for Team in Training so it does sell out early. I booked in February and had no problems, but a friend tried to book in April and it was sold out.

Although the total amount of climbing is not that great, the elevation adds some challenge. It starts at about 6,300 feet and the highest point is over 7,000. Not a lot for people who live in the mountains, but pretty thin air for those that live at sea level.

[zap]

Back in 1991, a friend organized a guaranteed fast century ride for our small group. It was a simple out and back, slightly rolling route with two planned rest stops. The plan was to keep the rest stops short at around 5 minutes each to fill up water bottles and grab a bite to eat.

Six or seven of us started out but after the turn around in Solomons Island, MD, riders started getting dropped on the slight climb out of town. After the second stop, only three of use were left, myself, a good buddy and this awesome Brit who was in the US on a short work detail. Around mile 75 my rear tire went pfffffttt. Darn Conti's.

Since we all agreed that this was a timed event, the strongest kept going. Fortunately I was riding tubulars so I was able to keep riding for 2-3 miles on a flat rear tire. Luckily, one of our mates parked his car at the rest stop and came up behind us. We changed wheels (friction shifting is good) and was able to catch up to the other two to finish the ride together.

Our total time including both rest stops was 4:17. Our road time which included several traffic lights was 4:06.

It was disappointing that we didn't get to the 4 hour mark (we would later help a group that did it) but this one was still special.

[bcm119]

I would have to second the Solvang Century in the santa Barbara wine country. Its just a spectacular ride in every way. Theres also a metric in November that follows some of the same route, but far fewer people show up for it. I'm really going to miss it this year, so I'm already scheming about how to get down there anyway.

[SGP]

my favorite has always been the Highlander in the Bristol hills, NY.

[PBWrench]

I agree with Saab re: Wisconsin riding. The Tour de Chippewa, out of Chippewa Falls (home of Leinenkugel beer) is a great century. So is the Minnesota Ironman, ridden on the last sunday of each April -- snow is not uncommon, so base miles are very limited. The best century, though, is the one I did a few weeks ago -- the Moab Century Tour. This is ridden in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The first 10 miles are a steady 4-5% grind. The next 20 are serious with grades up to 18%. No let ups whatsoever. After the 30 miles of climbing, there's 15 miles of speedy descent with a lot of switchbacks, leaves and loose gravel. This was very challenging and an incredible ride. We rented mountain bikes for the following day -- one of the Mecca destination of the mountain biking world.

[jeffg]

well, neither are technically centuries, but ...

1. Devil Mountain Double: Why not 2 centuries? This ride, although not as well attended as the Terrible Two in Santa Rosa, has amazing riding (particularly in the latter half near the backside of Mount Hamilton), and will push most folks to the limit with its 206 miles and 20,000 feet of climbing. What makes the ride really special is the support and the comraderie of the riders. It is in April, so you better get those base miles in somehow, but it is my favorite ride of all time. The Terrible Two is also a great DC, but takes itself a little more seriously and has some problems with over-anxious riders.

2. Dolomite Marathon (Corvara, Italy): Well, if a DC is too much, how about a little less than a century? How else can you tackle the Sella Ring, Passo Giau, Falzarego with the roads closed to cars? Although only about 85 miles, the 14,000+ feet of climbing and constant up and down will keep you on your toes. It can still be bitter cold in the morning even though it is in July, but the scenery and the riding is unsurpassed. Bring a low gear, as the grind up the Giau (10.2km @ 9.1%) towards the end of the ride can be a killer. A real finish area, helicopters dumping rose petals on the cyclists before the ride (at least the year I did it), a jersey, support, and a post-ride meal for 60 Euros! :banana:

[gdw]

I did this one last year and highly recommend it even though it rained and was very cold on the La Sal Mountain Loop Road. The ride has plenty of climbing, fast descents, and beautiful views. The aid stations were well equiped and there were several sag wagons for those who found the climbing to be too strenuous. The cost was really reasonable and the money goes to a good cause.

[Tom]

I'm thinking of training specifically for that thing. It kicked my rear this year, I wish to return the favor.

[BillyBear]

A tremendous feeling of accomplishment...now it was in eastern KS and western MO and therefore not as scenic as those described above. But as I crossed the line, I swelled up with pride...

[Andreu]

marchas and fondos over here which are thinly disguised races. I have entered a few and you sometimes get professionals riding in them to get in miles in and give wannabes a right good kicking. The best one I have done so far was in the Pyrenees...125 miles of epic torture and 4 cols (one of which was 30 km long)....I still have the mental scars to show for it.
Yours well and well and truly kicked,
A

[Cornfed]

Anyone know of a gravel century? Seem to be more and more gravel grinder races, but I haven't come across any "fun" gravel rides.

[krhea]

Anyone know of a gravel century? Seem to be more and more gravel grinder races, but I haven't come across any "fun" gravel rides.

I know of number of gravel centuries or near centuries or 70mile gravel rides that will "feel" like you rode a century but if you don't live where I do it'll do you no good. Where do you live? 99% of our gravel "event" rides are "fun" rides and not races.
I live in Oregon.

[Cornfed]

Should've mentioned that little detail. I'm in Northern California, but travel back to the Midwest frequently, and would love an excuse to get up to Oregon. Thanks!

I know of number of gravel centuries or near centuries or 70mile gravel rides that will "feel" like you rode a century but if you don't live where I do it'll do you no good. Where do you live? 99% of our gravel "event" rides are "fun" rides and not races.
I live in Oregon.

[Birddog]

Some worth mentioning that I have done are the Hotter'n Hell Hundred, the El Tour de Tucson, The Enchanted Circle and the Santa Fe Century. The HHH is easily the best organized and supported of these. Many people give high praise to the Tour but IMO the HHH is better in those terms. The scenery of the HHH is West Texas dry and bare. I've finished in temps that varied from 109* to the mid 80's. You ride with between 12 and 14 thousand of your closest friends. Wichita Falls is nothing to get excited about and motels are scarce and high $ for the event. Tucson gets the nod for outside the ride fun and games.

The Santa Fe Century is a little like those two in terms of scenery but does have some more serious climbing and a mountain backdrop for much of the ride. Both HHH and Santa Fe can get pretty windy. Santa Fe is well supported and organized but not over the top like HHH. This year the century is part of bike and brew week, you gotta like that.

The Enchanted Circle is in Red River New Mexico. It starts at around 8800 ft elev and has about 6500 feet of climbing. Highest pass is about 9800 ft but you summit at mile 95 after a 5 mile climb. Another climb is about 15 miles and 2,000 ft from Taos to Palo Flechado. Support is adequate but a little sketchy. The organizers are from the local C of C and don't really understand the needs of cyclists beyond water and snacks. You won't find any ice at their stops for instance.

New last year is the Rough Rider in Angel Fire New Mexico. It is two centuries in 2 days. One is essentially the Enchanted Circle in reverse and the other is a southern twin that shares about 15 miles of road. The Southern Century is beautiful. Mountains and streams galore with a tough 2.5 mile climb near the end that features pitches with 11%, 12%, and 13%. Just before the steep climb you ride for 5 miles alongside a creek on a narrow paved lane with no center stripe. There are 4 climbs on that route and a total of about 7500 feet.

I did not do the Rough Rider, but I have ridden the routes multiple times. The organizer got rave reviews on his debut event.

http://www.redriverenchantedcirclecenturytour.com/
https://www.roughriders200.com/
http://www.santafecentury.com/
http://www.hh100.org/
http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-tucson/

[downtube]

I would like to add the Best Buddies Century from Carmel to San Simeon. You ride down Highway 1, on the coast most of the way. It is beautiful and has a little over 7000' of climbing. It is also very well supported with a huge party at the end.
chuck

View from Highway 1
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUhKSnQO41s/UYgvmSuD2aI/AAAAAAAAEw0/epYjjMjuXQk/s1600/Blog3.jpg

[stien]

I'll cast a vote for the Great River Ride in the Berkshires, MA.

Super scenic, amazing climbs, great food and people. I believe it was almost 10k feet over 111 miles. I felt like a challenge so I opted to do it with downtube shifters on a steel bike last year.

[cookietom]

Mammoth Fall Century Ride at Mammoth,Ca Beautiful 102 miles one loop with lots of climbing in September.

[Black Dog]

Anyone know of a gravel century? Seem to be more and more gravel grinder races, but I haven't come across any "fun" gravel rides.

D2R2. Reviving old threads to get your post count up…got something for sale? :rolleyes:

[malcolm]

Some worth mentioning that I have done are the Hotter'n Hell Hundred, the El Tour de Tucson, The Enchanted Circle and the Santa Fe Century. The HHH is easily the best organized and supported of these. Many people give high praise to the Tour but IMO the HHH is better in those terms. The scenery of the HHH is West Texas dry and bare. I've finished in temps that varied from 109* to the mid 80's. You ride with between 12 and 14 thousand of your closest friends. Wichita Falls is nothing to get excited about and motels are scarce and high $ for the event. Tucson gets the nod for outside the ride fun and games.

The Santa Fe Century is a little like those two in terms of scenery but does have some more serious climbing and a mountain backdrop for much of the ride. Both HHH and Santa Fe can get pretty windy. Santa Fe is well supported and organized but not over the top like HHH. This year the century is part of bike and brew week, you gotta like that.

The Enchanted Circle is in Red River New Mexico. It starts at around 8800 ft elev and has about 6500 feet of climbing. Highest pass is about 9800 ft but you summit at mile 95 after a 5 mile climb. Another climb is about 15 miles and 2,000 ft from Taos to Palo Flechado. Support is adequate but a little sketchy. The organizers are from the local C of C and don't really understand the needs of cyclists beyond water and snacks. You won't find any ice at their stops for instance.

New last year is the Rough Rider in Angel Fire New Mexico. It is two centuries in 2 days. One is essentially the Enchanted Circle in reverse and the other is a southern twin that shares about 15 miles of road. The Southern Century is beautiful. Mountains and streams galore with a tough 2.5 mile climb near the end that features pitches with 11*, 12*, and 13*. Just before the steep climb you ride for 5 miles alongside a creek on a narrow paved lane with no center stripe. There are 4 climbs on that route and a total of about 7500 feet.

I did not do the Rough Rider, but I have ridden the routes multiple times. The organizer got rave reviews on his debut event.

http://www.redriverenchantedcirclecenturytour.com/
https://www.roughriders200.com/
http://www.santafecentury.com/
http://www.hh100.org/
http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-tucson/

I'll give Hotter 'n Hell Hundred a shout. I've done it 6 times including a couple times when the course was closed early due to the heat and barley made the cut off. It's 100 miles of crappy brown scenery pancake flat with a few false flats, zero shade and most of it feels like you have a hair dryer set on high mounted on your handle bars blowing into your face. The only saving grace is the rest stops about every 10 miles that the little towns along the way really get into and try and out do each other. One at about 30 miles has awesome homemade cookies and the unofficial beer stop at mile 98 really hits the spot. I hear they were trying to eliminate the beer stop so I'm not sure if it still exists.

[redir]

This thread could probably go on for a hundred ( a century's worth) pages. I have not done too many centuries but I did one in Virginia called Mountains of Misery that was quite fun. Well organized and quite a bit of climbing with plenty of scenic views between the thunder showers.

[Drmojo]

Ferndale California
Also known as "Lost Coast" area.
Redwoods, remote roads, ocean vistas.
Oh, and beastly climbs.
"The Wall" at mile 80-1/2 mile at 18+ %
Then "the endless hills"
Toughest and most gorgeous of the 50 or so
Centuries I have done. And the 32 doubles
I have done, too.
May 10
Magic

[Black Dog]

Highlander Cycle Tour (http://www.highlandercycletour.com) in upstate New York. 10000 feet of climbing, great scenery, well organized, very well priced, great meal (included) at the end, and a swag bag with wine. Also, lots of route options (different distances) if 100 miles with all that climbing are not for you.

[soulspinner]

Highlander Cycle Tour (http://www.highlandercycletour.com) in upstate New York. 10000 feet of climbing, great scenery, well organized, very well priced, great meal (included) at the end, and a swag bag with wine. Also, lots of route options (different distances) if 100 miles with all that climbing are not for you.

I live here so I will agree. Im doing it for the first time in years. Its really a nice event and if you treat it as a race there are some VERY fast people that show up....all in all you can get what you want out of it because there are enough options for varying fitness levels.............

[Jason E]

My favorite is my first, the Montauk Century. It's later in the year, sept?, or was, so fitness is good. You depart Babylon train Station for 100 miles of east. That time of year, it's nearly all tailwind.

I'm sure Tahoe is prettier overall, or some others, but it's a really nice ride, and it's hard to beat Montauk Pizza.

May have to come up and do it with some buddies this year!


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[Jason E]

Oh well. Seems they went members only and it's in 2 weeks.

So much for that, at least this year...


http://www.sbraweb.org/?q=node/9990

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[Saint Vitus]

D2R2. Reviving old threads to get your post count up…got something for sale? :rolleyes:

Epic thread necrophilia. A whole decade!

[Cornfed]

Epic thread necrophilia. A whole decade!

Just a new member with an honest question. Did a search and this seemed the most likely place to ask. And based on the responses, it looks like this thread still has some value -- i.e., there are a few centuries that have appeared in the past 10 years worth talking about and worth supporting.

[Saint Vitus]

Just a new member with an honest question. Did a search and this seemed the most likely place to ask. And based on the responses, it looks like this thread still has some value -- i.e., there are a few centuries that have appeared in the past 10 years worth talking about and worth supporting.

No worries, I was surprised by the date as I hadn't initially bothered to notice the timestamp because like you, I thought the question and thread had value regardless of typical forum shelf life.

[Shortsocks]

I've done several century Rides.

My Favorite is the "Santa Fe Century"

http://santafecentury.com/The_Rides/Century_Ride/

I love that ride because riding in the desert is one of my favorite places to ride. Also, if you're interested there is a group that finishes that ride and continues on for 35 miles more, but climbs an extra 7,000 feet. Makes it 135 miles with a total of 10,000 feet of climbing.

Another ride I really like is the "TEJAS 500".
500 miles in 48,42,36 hours. Super great, must have a support staff to stay up late while you ride. BUT if you do that ride fast enough In 36 you can qualify for race across America. :)

http://tt24tt.com/2013/11/25/the-2013-texas-time-trials-tejas-500/

[eddief]

They only do a metric and I just did it 2 weeks ago. Only 4K feet of climbing in 65 miles = a beautiful cruise. Well organized and just plain fun.

[redir]

No worries, I was surprised by the date as I hadn't initially bothered to notice the timestamp because like you, I thought the question and thread had value regardless of typical forum shelf life.

YEah wow LOL I didn't even notice.

It's a funny catch 22 tho. Some will give hell for not doing a search then others for doing a search and bringing the subject up again :D

[MadRocketSci]

the Tahoe greatest century in america thing is a nice ride, but it is packed with inexperienced first timers from the flatlands bussed in with the fundraising organizations and hence, at least the years i did it, turns into a demolition derby coming down from emerald bay.

[SpokeValley]

Anyone know of a gravel century? Seem to be more and more gravel grinder races, but I haven't come across any "fun" gravel rides.

Not quite a century but some great forest service roads in Eastern Washington...http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/gran-fondo-ephrata/

[poff]

This one was EPIC, but it is not an organized one.
http://app.strava.com/activities/13682070

[LesMiner]

Not quite a century but some great forest service roads in Eastern Washington...http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/gran-fondo-ephrata/

Almanzo 100 (http://almanzo.com/) is a gravel race of 100 miles on May 17. Registration needed but no fees.

[Tandem Rider]

Gritty Brevet in Iowa City, usually in late September or early October.
http://grittybrevet.wordpress.com/

[93legendti]

My Mom has a place in Northern Michigan just outside of Harbor Springs. Out the door to the Mackinaw Bridge and back is exactly 100 miles. The last day of DALMAC went right past our door, so we would ride with them for 50 miles. A bunch of friends did this ride every Labor Day weekend...before we all got married and had kids.

Most of the ride is thru the Tunnel of Trees, along State Parks and gorgeous beach stretches. The last 10 mile stretch into Harbor Springs is a gentle downhill were the speeds could get up there.

Fun times.

[MattTuck]

Kearsarge Klassic (https://www.bikereg.com/22464) in New Hampshire might fit the bill. I haven't ridden it yet, so no comment on if it is 'raced' or ridden casually.

[Cornfed]

Gritty Brevet in Iowa City, usually in late September or early October.
http://grittybrevet.wordpress.com/

This looks perfect. And right near my home town. The web site hasn't been updated in a while -- is the ride still on? (I may do the route one way or the other.) Thanks!

[Tandem Rider]

This looks perfect. And right near my home town. The web site hasn't been updated in a while -- is the ride still on? (I may do the route one way or the other.) Thanks!

The ride is put on by a friend of mine, he usually updates it about 6 to 8 weeks before the ride. It really is like it sounds on the website.

[gavingould]

i've only done one proper century, Apple Cider Century in southwest MI (https://applecidercentury.com/).

did it very early on when i started riding a lot, probably longest ride i'd ever done leading up to it was ~60mi. haven't done another since, but i'll probably be at the Ten Thousand (http://rideaxletree.com/2014/03/ten-thousand/the-ten-thousand/) in July.

have done quite a few metrics and 75mi rides int he intervening years.