Fifty Plus (50+) - Apple Cider Century

Anyone looking for a fun century to ride in the late fall might want to check this one out. I have ridden it before (and signed up again this year) and it's a pretty fun ride.

Apple Cider Century (http://www.applecidercentury.com/index.html)

Where is Three Oaks, MI?

Where is Three Oaks, MI?

In southwest Michigan, just north of the Indiana state line. From the website, this looks like a beautiful ride. I wonder how many feet of climbing there is, and what the grades on the hills are.

In southwest Michigan, just north of the Indiana state line

You are correct. It's actually not too far from South Bend, IN. Really not all that much in the way of hills though.

In southwest Michigan, just north of the Indiana state line. From the website, this looks like a beautiful ride. I wonder how many feet of climbing there is, and what the grades on the hills are.

It's pert near flat as a pancake, except for some slight rollers along Lake Michigan and the inevitable highway overpass. Wind and dodging families are the only real hurdles. Great ride though, I've done it many times and the weather usually cooperates. Some excellent potato soup at the rest stops!

It's pert near flat as a pancake, except for some slight rollers along Lake Michigan and the inevitable highway overpass. Wind and dodging families are the only real hurdles. Great ride though, I've done it many times and the weather usually cooperates. Some excellent potato soup at the rest stops!

That would be great for my recumbent. Unfortunately, I can't get back there for it. I was born in South Bend, moved to Marshall, Mi at 4. moved to Livonia, Mi near Detroit at 10, and have been mostly in California since joining the Navy at 20. I'll have to bookmark that site for future vacation reference.

I took the family there 11 years back. I ended up hauling two kids in a burley (one wiped out midway so we ditched her bike in a cornfield and squeezed her in with her sister balling and bleeding) riding an old Raleigh 10 speed. The wind kicked up to a steady 25mph and pretty much wiped me out. I remember doing a full stand-up "sprint" in lowest granny gear dead into the wind just to stay balanced enough to keep going. Turned around at the 25 mark.

Best ride I ever had.

Hey, I've been looking for some centuries to try this year...thanks!

Holland Hundred in July looks nice, too...it's a pretty area of the state.

Apple Cider is pretty much flat and mild. It's fun and well organized.
Pick up some apples afterwards on the way home. They are in season then.

Hey, I've been looking for some centuries to try this year...thanks!

Holland Hundred in July looks nice, too...it's a pretty area of the state.

Here's a good site for scoping out other Midwest rides. Kind of Illinois focused, but MB lists rides in WI, MI, IN, MO, MN and OH too. April is kind of spotty for rides, as the spring weather is so undependable in the MW. Season really kicks into gear in May. Mike will post any ride sent into the site, so if anyone else sees some missing, send them on in.

Dave