whiteoakcanyon

What is your favorite organized ride & why?

I am looking forward to my first Civil War Metric Century a nice mix of cycling and American history.

cyclezealot

One day , multiple day. ? Organized rides come in all kinds .

Campag4life

I am a huge fan of the Critical Mass ride because of all the positive attention it brings cycling.

neospazzy

The Solvang Century is my favorite so far because of the beautiful views and the latter hill climbs. I will be doing the MS 150 Bay-to-Bay in So Cal this October. I heard that the MS Ride is one of the best organized ride by a few publications I have seen. I will be the judge of that this October.

NealH

That Civil War Century was on my list for this year but, like last year it is not going to happen. Other obligations conflicted with the date. Too bad, I understand it's an outstanding ride. I will have it on my list again next year and, will be sure to make it. In the meantime and as a consolation ride, I plan to participate in the Heart of Virginia ride - which also offers a good dose of history along with gorgeous landscapes.

I've only ridden several organized rides in the past year and, would have a hard time picking out a favorite. I liked them all, and for different reasons. Because the Cherohala Challenge was my longest and most difficult and, because it was supported so well I would have a hard time not choosing this one as my favorite so far.

I also have the Seagull Century on my list for this year and, will be riding that route the first week in September while on vacation. I've heard its a great ride.

Anyway, like I say it's difficult to only pick out one. Most rides are pretty well thought out and supported which makes them all sort of a favorite. I do favor the mountain rides over flat land rides as a general rule.

voltman

Bike MS Tour. Great organization, turnout, and events.

patentcad

The Nyack Ride every Sunday, because it is essentially a throw down traffic lights be damned pick up bicycle race. Which does make it utterly chaotic. I like that on organized rides.

mollusk

I'm a grouch.

I don't like any of them. All this "Car up" and "Car back" drives me crazy.

I have been riding one of these organized rides per year only because I used to run the damn thing 20+ years ago. My secret for survival is to get to the back leaving and then haul butt past the slow pokes after about 5 miles. I can then ride by myself without dodging the squirrels at the back or dealing with the folks trying to "win" the non-race at the front.

I still get PO'd when they make me take this boatload of crap when I check in even though I have ridden my bike to the start and I have nowhere to put it. It usually takes me a good 10 minutes to find a dumpster to get rid of that stuff.

In other words I would rather ride these routes by myself or with a select group of friends. It is safer, more pleasant, and cheaper. That is a winning trifecta.

Rant over.

mollusk

So it is not "organized". It sounds like my kind of ride.

DataJunkie

I have only ridden two. The triple bypass from evergreen colorado to avon colorado was a blast. It seemed to be filled with more competent riders and staff than the other ride I have ridden.

scotch

now that is funny.

frank828

ive only done the rosarito ensenada fun ride on a mtn bike.

it was fun. beer and churros and tacos.

but yeah i have no idea. i just felt like posting something

ericm979

There's a lot of them that I like- the Markleeville Death Ride, Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge, Strawberry fields century (not a super climbing course like the others but it's nice and has great food). But I'd have to say that lately my favorite is the Breathless Agony. The support is really good and there is something special about a climb from 2700' to 8400', especially coming right after a good 3400' climb. The hard climbing rides do tend to get a bit better bike handlers on average than your typical flat century.

cc_rider

Tour Du Port, Baltimore mid-October
Good, crisp, late season ride. I love to start early and watch the city waking up.

PPTC Peach Picker Ride, Markham, VA mid-August (unfortunately not this year)
Stop by the Stribling Orchard store, load up on fresh peaches and apples, have a couple for breakfast, then put the rest in a cooler while I have a beautiful ride over into the Shenandoah Valley.

patentcad

My other favorite part of the Nyack Ride is that the oxygen masks are usually dangling (once it gets over 25mph or so) and there's no idle chit chat. I HATE idle chit chat. I crank the iPod and focus on how much I hate my fellow Rocket Ridettes as I try to suck wheel all the way to Hook Mtn.

BananaTugger

Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.

The sense of awesomeness at the top is incredible.

Everyone has the same thought when they cross the line: I rode a bike up this mountain...

It wasn't just any mountain, it was Mount Washington. The most positively badass climb in the world.

Anyone who makes it to the top is a hero in my eyes. They all feel the same.

johnny99

Saigon to Hanoi. Beautiful scenery. Lots of cities and towns and history. Lots of interesting food to eat. Very friendly people, especially outside the big cities.

ILUVUK

Only ridden 1 1/2. Rode the Heartland Century last September and rode the first day of the Tour of the Mississippi River Valley (TOMRV) in June. DId not ride the 2nd day due to lots of storms across Iowa. Both rides are coordinated by the Quad Cities BC. I preferred TOMRV based on the challenging hills and scenery and look forward to completing the whole thing next year dependent upon the weather. The Heartland Century is an excellent first century though with a minimal number rolling hills.

neverjared

Critical Mass. Because we all love each other. No joke. I ran into some roadies and they gave me a hard time for my color matching skills and lack of brakes, but I'll be darned, they showed up to Critical Mass and made some friends.

God bless bicycles.

yak

The Harpoon Brewery to Brewery. One day, 147 miles, Boston to Windsor, VT
2 big climbs, monster downhill runs. Free beer at the finish. (And free beer at the start the night before).

big john

I've done a bunch of them. Solvang Century 9 times. It has the most people of the rides I've done, and has celebrity riders, like the winners of the past RAAM. I rode with Pete Penseyers and his wife, they were on their tandem. I like the Cool Breeze here in Ventura. Good course, good food, not too many squids. Also love the SLOBC rides, Lighthouse and Wildflower. The best food, including chocolate fondue at one stop.
Lately my favorite rides are put on by a local endurance racer and named after him. Tour de Francis rides are invitation only and under 100 riders, always a hard course in the mountains, and have the BEST support of any ride I have done. Last time they would grab your bottle on the steep climb, fill it, then run up and hand it back to you. In December they had a KOM competition with lines on the road at the top of the climbs and trophys and plaques at the end. They wouldn't take any money at one and asked for $5 at the other.

merlinextraligh

Everest Challenge. Truly a challenge, and spectacular scenery and topography.

East Coast, Cheat Mountian Challenge. Bucolic country roads, beautiful fall foilage, and a challenge in its won right.

Closer to home, Six Gap is pretty amazing for Georgia.

sigg.switz

+1

This is THE best organized ride (not race) I've been on. Also sports love from the right coast.
It gets better when the last bus doesn't show up - OPEN BAR BABY! Everyone else I was with seemed upset, something about promising their families that they'd be home by a certain time and not hammered - but I can't really remember what they were saying.

From the left coast, I really enjoyed the Sea Otter Century, albeit the 20 bike pile up that decimated the pack I was in, and the fact that it was 92 miles, not a full century as advertised. Really wonderful ride though, laguna seca raceway makes a fun start to the ride.

prendrefeu

RIDE-Arc.

Machka