I gotta say, California is tough to beat. You can ride somewhere exceptional 12 months of the year... I ride in the sierras from April through November, the foothills and coastal ranges December thru May. Stunning scenery, little traffic, lots of brew pubs !!! Great centuries in various areas every week or two. This year kicked off in Solvang in March, Chico in April, Unknown Coast and Indian Valley in May, Sierra & Summer Solstice in June, Deathride in July, Holstein Hundred next week, to be followed by Eastern Sierra & Tahoe Sierra in September. Lots of others too !!! Plus, I ride in the Markleeville are ~ twice a week, and Truckee ~ once a week from mid-april through thanksgiving. And... every couple of years I'll take a 4-5 day spin down Hwy. 1 (Leggett back to SF just after Labor day being my favorite) Spent 26 years in Illinois.... last 22 in cycling heaven. Oh yeah, you like mountain biking ??? Only thing is you better like (or learn to like) climbing, cuz I ain't found a flat ride yet.