Fifty Plus (50+) - Thoughts on warm century rides this winter?

I'm interested in riding at least one century per month next year. Jan, Feb, and March are too cold here (northwest Arkansas) for me to ride that far, so I'm thinking south Texas, Louisiana, maybe central Florida. I'm a pilot and can travel pretty easily within reason. Harlingen, TX, for example, is about four hours away.

Any thoughts on good century rides in these locations during the cold months?

Come to Lincoln, CA and I will ride 100 miles with you.

Come to Lincoln, CA and I will ride 100 miles with you.

I just looked up Lincoln on Google Maps. Looks nice!

There is no such thing as too cold: just need the proper clothing.

I just looked up Lincoln on Google Maps. Looks nice!

There is, indeed, lots of great riding. Anything you want: Flat, hills, mountains. And a bike club for all levels. Hey, everyone come on out!

There is no such thing as too cold: just need the proper clothing.

Only problem is that you have to be prepared for the weather to change very quickly

Here is a list of a bunch of California rides. We've got pretty decent weather somewhere in the state at just about any point in time (of course, here on my part of the south coast, with January lows averaging 45 and August highs averaging 75, it's never really too bad) so pick a ride:
http://www.cibike.org/page7.html

I bit further to fly - and I suspect it is a bit more complicated, but Costa Rica is wonderful pretty much year round. But, if you ride around the mountains, you better have legs and lungs of steel...

Here is a list of a bunch of California rides. We've got pretty decent weather somewhere in the state at just about any point in time (of course, here on my part of the south coast, with January lows averaging 45 and August highs averaging 75, it's never really too bad) so pick a ride:
http://www.cibike.org/page7.html

We can attest to the pleasantness of cruising the Palm Springs Century in Feb. when it's cold and (usually) rainy here in N. CA. There are a number of centuries on that list that we've done, a larger number we'd like to ride, and several that we've done that aren't on the list.

To the OP: if you go to Lincoln, let us know. We'll do a century with you over towards Napa that can include wine tasting, if you so desire.

Nothing in south Texas, Lousiana, Florida?

I'll keep looking. Thanks for the input.

Check this list for rides in Florida and surrounding states (http://www.floridabicycle.org/cgi-bin/fbtc-main.cgi). Click on the name of each month for more details and more rides.

I am in Central Arkansas and asked the same question last year with no results. There is a ride in Brownsville in February. I did not find a century in the states you mentioned during January.

What is your normal time to ride a century? We might be able to put together our own century in LA or Texas.

What is your normal time to ride a century? We might be able to put together our own century in LA or Texas.

I'm open to anything between 5:00 and 6:00. I've ridden as fast as 5:02 and am capable of much, much slower.

Your are probably over my head. My fastest century was 5:44 a couple months ago, however, I am quite capable of pushing the 7 hour mark when needed.

I do not fly, but I do have a sports car with a bike rack. The North side of Lake Ponchatrain in January can be nice.