The Century Rides You’ll Want on Your Calendar in 2026
Cycling events from California to British Columbia deliver exciting days on the bike in support of good causes.
Most of us have experienced the peloton, an extended line of mismatched cyclists moving at different speeds with varied styles across the countryside for a good cause.
It’s the century ride, or perhaps a shorter metric century, and it’s the focal point for countless bike riders looking for a good route and camaraderie on the road.
That good cause may be a major charity, a school fundraiser, or simply a local bicycle club generating its annual operating funds. The route may be flat and fast or it may be steep and demanding. Each brings its own character with enthusiastic volunteers waiting at rest stops with food and drink to sustain you until the next stop.
With help from my friends at Cycle California! Magazine and hours of online searching, I compile a calendar list of supported events from San Diego, CA, to Victoria, B.C. Most are paved road rides though the 2026 list includes gravel events.
See the 2026 Cycling Events and Century Rides list here.
Not all of these events have been vetted; some may be great experiences and others may be lacking. That’s not for me to say; I have not ridden them all. And the list is never complete, so I invite you to email me with more suggestions. I’ll update as I receive them.
I can say that for many people, century rides are central to the recreational cycling experience. I encourage everyone to register and ride at least one event in 2026.
Some stand out to me, so here are a few of my favorites.
California Dreaming
After a rainy winter here in the Pacific Northwest, I’ll be excited to find ways to get off the stationary bike and ride outdoors. There are several spring events worth considering.
Three of my favorites are in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Primavera Century, staged by the Fremont Freewheelers Bicycle Club, may surprise you. I wasn’t thrilled about a route that starts and ends in East Bay suburbia, but I was won over when the route very quickly left city streets for the rural roads. Once we reached Calaveras Road, I was ecstatic. Registration for the April 19 ride is now open.
Like the Primavera, the Grizzly Peak Century takes advantage of the peaceful side of the East Bay, this time in Contra Costa County. There are five routes this year, all starting at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Two of those options are gravel. I’m fond of the paved climbing up Skyline and Grizzly Peak boulevards to Tilden Regional Park. Registration is open for the May 3 event staged by the Grizzly Peak Cyclists.
I’m always ready to ride among Sonoma County’s vineyards in the spring. Fortunately, the Santa Rosa Cycling Club hosts its annual Wine Country Century, this year on May 2. The event typically features three distances from Santa Rosa to the countryside. There should be a climber’s option as well.
Here in Oregon
For those of us in Oregon, the Monster Cookie Metric Century provides one of the cycling season’s earliest opportunities to explore the Willamette Valley. This is the 50th year the Salem Bicycle Club has staged this ride, which is the fundraiser that powers the club’s support of local bicycle safety initiatives. Yes, all finishers receive a very large cookie for their effort.
Full disclosure: I’m a club member and volunteer. Wave hello if you see me taking photos along the course.
I enjoy the Tour de Fronds because it’s remote, challenging, and scenic in a Pacific Northwest forest sort of way. The event, with six routes, starts and ends on June 20 in the hamlet of Powers deep in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Registration, which opens March 1, is limited. Plan ahead. Out-of-town lodging is available, and many riders camp in Powers County Park. The Powers Lions Club makes everyone feel welcome.
The Bucket List
Writing about cycle tourism has afforded me the opportunity to ride throughout the West Coast. While I’ve followed many event routes, there are a few century events I want to join soon.
- I discovered Lopez Island, part of the San Juan Islands archipelago northwest of Seattle, during a visit a year or so back. Quiet roads with little traffic make this an ideal destination ride. I later learned of the Tour de Lopez which takes place on April 26 this year. Plan early. Lodging is limited on the island and it’s only accessible by ferry.
- There’s a climb from Chico to Paradise in Northern California. It’s called Honey Run Road, and it’s a key feature of the Wildflower Ride and Festival routes. Yes, it also takes place on April 26.
- Have you ever kept one eye on a volcano while pedaling up a mountain? Here’s your chance. The Tour de Blast features three routes that make their way uphill toward Washington’s famous Mt. St. Helens, which erupted in 1980. These routes cross the blast zone, an area where the devastation is still visible 45 years later. The ride, organized by the Longview Rotary, takes place June 20.
- Are you ready to climb an HC mountain? The French term hors catégorie or HC is used by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing organization for professional cycling, to grade hills. An HC mountain is among the hardest. That’s what you get when you join the Giro di San Diego and ride up Palomar Mountain on June 6.
- Regular readers of this Substack know I love cycling in and around Victoria, B.C. Word is that this bike-centric city will again open its roads to thousands of riders on Aug. 15 for Rydel Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria. Riding from the coastline into the northern rain forest is an excellent experience.
Dan Shryock is a travel writer and career journalist who focuses on cycle tourism. Based in Oregon, his work has appeared in magazines and websites in California and the Pacific Northwest. His book, “Cycling Across Oregon: Stories, Surprises & Revelations Along the State’s Scenic Bikeways” is available on Amazon.
Great list. I miss the Tour Deschutes century ride that was an unfortunate casualty of the pandemic. Touched on at least 2 Oregon Scenic Bikeways in Central Oregon, and it was very well supported.