DGlenday

I'm curious about what are considered to be the bigger "must-do" road bike rides in the USA.

- I'm aware of RAGBRAI (done it). I also know about Bike Virginia and the GOBA in Ohio, and I suspect there will be many other similar rides. But which is the biggest and the most significant of these?

- Although it's in a whole different league, I'm aware of the Race Across America, which I'd like to consider at some point in the next few years.

- I'm also aware of (and plan to ride) the New York 5-Burroughs ride - which seems easy, but fun - as long as you can avoid the potholes.

But ... what else? What would you consider to be the biggest or the most important rides or tours? E.g. is there anything like the Argus Cycle Tour, in Cape Town? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_cycle_tour

Or - put differently - what rides would you realistically put on your bucket list?

Hunt-man

Maui, start at the sand and climb to the top of Haliakala Mr.

Cycle Oregon is a good ride too, if you don't mind 2,200 people and blue toilets for a week.

island rider

[QUOTE]
The RAAM is a much different animal than the others you list. It takes a serious investment of time and money and a support team.

The NY5BBT is less a "ride" and more of a ride/walk/stand-still/ride again/stand-still again.... It's neat, but if you are adverse to massive crowds and severe backups you should avoid it.

banerjek

There is no such thing as a "must-do" big ride as far as I'm concerned.

Huge rides with thousands of people are their own type of animal. If that's your thing, by all means track them down and go for it.

I do large rides once in awhile, but I prefer smaller ones because you can focus on the ride itself rather than dodging idiots.

DropDeadFred

BRAG is one here in GA. Hot as hell weather and loads of fun from what I hear

AgentRedlum

I think LOTOJA is a pretty big ride.

bmohan55

to the OP, there is one in your back yard this weekend, the Seagull Century. It will be the first time I'm doing it (along with my wife and brother) don't know how I'll feel being one of 8,000 riders.

StephenH

The Hotter-n-Hell 100 in Wichita Falls is the largest bike rally in this part of the country, normally in late August. Personally, I'd say it's worth going to, but not something to drive across the country for, either.

The neatest rides I have done just involved a few friends, not a mass of people.

Here in Texas, I hear a fair bit about the Furnace Creek 508 and about the Sebring 24 hour race, so they are fairly well known. Both are races, so if you're not into the type of actiivity being done, there's no reason to add them to a "bucket list" either.

For randonneurs, there are several 1200k rides around the country and around the world. I did my first this spring, and am pondering another next summer.

Jim from Boston

As a Boston cyclist, I'm often asked if I do the PanMass Challenge, which is a big fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It's a two day ride of about 150 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown. My impression this is not a difficult ride, except for the need to raise about $3500 to participate.

Another well-known ride is the Harpoon Ale B to B ride, a one-day ride from Boston to Burlington, VT. An intriguing ride I heard of long ago sponsored by the Charles River Wheelman was to ride through all six New England states on a three day Memorial Day weekend. Finally, one long-term challenge I've been told of in Massachusetts is to ride through all the 351 cities and towns in the state.

None of the above are on my list.

ericm979

Markleeville Death Ride, in the Sierra mountains of California. 3500 riders, 14,500' of climbing, 124 miles. Just a ride although there's some fast riders.
Everest Challenge: 29,035' of climbing in two days. It's mostly a race but there's a "tourist" division too.
Mt Evans hillclimb, from 7000' to 14,000'. There is a race and a public category age graded race/ride too.

I've done all of those. They're all fun. The Death Ride is the largest event of the three.

eofelis 

Ride the Rockies in Colorado is pretty big, around 2000 riders. And probably quite challenging if you aren't used to riding in the mountains.
I've done Bicycle Tour of Colorado, which has about 1200 riders.

Phantoj

In the Seattle area: STP (Seattle to Portland) is a very "large" (10,000 riders) double century.

Less popular, but still big: RSVP (Seattle to Vancouver), RAMROD (around Mt. Rainier)

banerjek

STP is more of a rolling party than a ride. But it can still be fun.

vitya

In Colorado it's popular to get to the top of mount Evans (14,265).

AzTallRider

Tour de Tucson: 8-9,000 rider century.

garate55

I did STP(204 miles) in June which was my first year, they have single day(which I did) and 2-day versions. I plan to do RAMROD(9000' of climbing in 154 miles) maybe next year, these rides just cost a fortune, at least for me. RSVP(182 miles) = Ride from Seattle to Vancouver with a Party

VERY fun! Not much of a party where I was but still a lot of fun.

dgasmd

There is a couple in the southeast I know of that are fun and bring in from 125-3000+ people:

In FL:
-Ride Across FL. 175 mile. Usually100-125 people.
-Horrible 100 Century. Usually 2500-3000+ people.

GA:
-Brass Town Bald Century
-6 Gap Century. 2500+ people.

NC:
-Blood, Sweat, and Gears. Caped at 750 people for the century and 500 people for the 50 mile route.

Phantoj

I thought it fit well with what the OP was looking for...

tmass

Harpeth River Ride - Franklin, TN in June; Lance Armstrong rode in it this past June 2011. 1500 riders first class support.

Sunrise Century - Clarksville, TN - very flat about 1200 riders

Jack & Back MS 150- leaves Franklin , TN and goes to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN where you stay the night and then return.

Rocket-Sauce 

PMC is an incredible experience. Fund raising is WAY harder than the actual ride, but the ride is pretty special.

Harpoon B2B is harder than you think -and even more fun!

D2R2 is on my list for next year.

Pamestique 

I was going to mention this... was my first century years ago and I think there were 8,000 riders then... not to mention the additional riders who come in for the 50 and 75 milers. Way too many people for me. I like the smaller rides - 2,000 is pleasant. 8,000+ is a real mob all the way!!!

So Cal has the Amtrak Century in September. Not certain the limit but again way too many people for me.

There are a number of week long - RAGBRAI type rides. Just because of the name, I've always wanted to do the SPUD. Or ride across Idaho. Does anyone know if that ride still happens?

afilado

Three State/Three Mountain Challenge, Chattanooga.

fishymamba

The Death Valley Century in Death Valley,CA

I heard thousands and thousands of people show up to ride.

Silvercivic27

Pittsburgh- Dirty Dozen

nhluhr

Seattle To Portland is a super popular ride, as is RAMROD [Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day]