Ride for a cause or just pedal with likeminded folks for the sheer fun of it.
Riding with a group can be uplifting, and the camaraderie can make the big hills seem smaller and the headwinds less grueling. And those rest stops—wow! The Bay Area is rich with clubs that do organized rides for many levels, and there is an abundance of rides for great causes, from AIDS and diabetes to education and senior services. Here is a collection of tempting rides to consider. Many sell out early, but there’s always next year.
The 40th Cinderella Classic and Challenge
This women’s-only ride traverses the Amador, Livermore, Diablo, and San Ramon valleys beginning in Pleasanton on Saturday, April 9. It’s for females of all ages and abilities and includes a metric century, the Classic route (65 miles/105 kilometers); and the Challenge route (85 miles/137 kilometers). www.ValleySpokesmen.org/event-2064088
Primavera Century
See parts of the East Bay you may not frequent, including the Calaveras Reservoir, Palomares Canyon, Coyote Hills Regional Park, and the Altamont Pass Wind Farm on Sunday, April 17. Pick from 100 miles, 85 miles, 100 kilometer, 65 kilometers, or 25 miles in this event from the Fremont Freewheelers Bicycle Club. www.FFBCPrimavera.wordpress.com
2016 Grizzly Peak Century
Head for the East Bay hills with the Grizzly Peak Cyclists on Sunday, May 1. Riders can go 76 miles, 102 miles, or 110 miles beginning from Campolindo High School in Moraga. New this year: a mixed-terrain option. www.Grizz.org/century/home/index.php
2016 Napa Valley Tour de Cure
Ride 100 miles, 80 miles, 50 miles, 25 miles, or 10 miles on Sunday, May 1, starting in Yountville to help fight diabetes. The ride encourages participants of all levels and offers beautiful glimpses of Napa Valley wine country in spring. Main.Diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?pg=entry&fr_id=11035
Wine Country Century
Enjoy the Sonoma County wine country on wheels on Saturday, May 7, at this Santa Rosa Cycling Club event that rolls by vineyards, orchards, redwoods, and wildflowers. Options include 35 miles, 100 kilometers, 200 kilometers, and 100 miles. SRCC.MemberLodge.com
Ride 4 A Reason 2016
An annual excursion on scenic roads from Oakland to the Capitol in Sacramento to raise funds for underfunded Oakland schools on Saturday, May 14. Riders can choose a 45-mile or 109-mile course. Participants are encouraged to raise $250 in pledges. RideForAReason.dojiggy.com
Sonoma County Backroad Challenge
Turn out for the Petaluma Sunrise Foundation and take the backroad challenge navigating the roads of Sonoma and west Marin counties on Sunday, May 22. Rides start from Penngrove Park, with a century (97.01 miles), metric century (62.7 miles), and half-metric century (37.4 miles) on offer, and culminate with the Backroad Festival. www.BackroadChallenge.com
Tour de Fuzz
Show support for law enforcement on Saturday, Sept. 10, at this Sonoma County ride beginning and ending in Santa Rosa that benefits the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Foundation. Sign up for an easy 50-K (35 miles), the rolling hills 100-K (63 miles), or epic 100-mile ride. www.TourDeFuzz.org
Alameda Bike for the Parks
A 20-mile fun bike ride dreamed up by Alameda Bicycle on Saturday, Oct. 15, that skirts the perimeter of Alameda on bike lanes through Alameda proper, Alameda Point, and Bay Farm Island. Proceeds go to Alameda Friends of the Parks to support Alameda parks. There’s also an 8-mile ride. www.AlamedaBicycle.com/Bike4Parks
AIDS/Lifecycle SF-LA Ride 545
Spend seven days riding about 80 miles a day on a coastal trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles in this mondo-supported event Sunday, June 5, through Saturday, June 11, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. www.AIDSLifecycle.org
