Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge -- See July calendar
Two bike rides -- 100 miles and 60 miles. The century gain 10,000 feet in elevation, starting out on Mt. Charley Road with 18% grades. In all, one Category 1 climb, three Category 2 and four Category 4. Starts in Scotts Valley. Register early; there is a limit. Sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club.

Shasta Summit Century -- Aug. 3, 2008
Four rides of 135, 100, 60 and 30 miles. The "super century" features 16,500 feet of climbing; all the rides take in the Alpine scenery of Mt. Shasta in the Shasta - Trinity National Forest. Starts about midway between Redding and Yreka. Sponsored by Mountain Wheelers.

Le Tour de Max -- Aug. 10, 2008 Comprises metric century and half metric and 40-miler bicycle rides on the mid-peninsula. Both bike rides meander through the Portola Valley; the metric climbs the Santa Cruz Mountains on Page Mill Road.

Holstein Hundred -- Aug. 16, 2008 Three options -- 100 miles, 67 miles and 35 miles. Bikes use rural roads through West Marin and Sonoma counties for scenic views. The century features 5,500 feet of climbing. Destinations include Bodega Bay and Chileno Valley. A fund-raiser for West Marin Senior Services.

Cool Breeze -- Aug. 16, 2008  Four bike ride routes up the coast and into the mountains, leaving from Ventura. Distances -- 38 miles, 60 miles, 102 miles and 124 miles. The Double Metric is a Brevet sanctioned by the Randonneurs USA and features 8,500 feet of climbing.

Tour of Napa Valley -- Aug. 17, 2008 Three options are available for cyclists -- 100 miles, 65 miles, and 30 miles. Bike tours start at the Yountville Veterans Home and proceeds over Ink Grade, Pope Valley, or Mt. Veeder, depending on the route. Sponsored by the Eagle Cycling Club of Napa.

Tour d'Organics -- Aug. 17, 2008  Visit organic farms in the Sebastopol area on 35, 65, or 100-mile bike rides. Loops begin at Sebastopol community center; sponsored by OrganicAthletic.

Ride for a Reason -- Aug. 23, 2008  5- to 65-mile loops around Lake Natoma near Folsom to raise money for Parkinson's research and cancer survivorship. Starts at Nimbus Flat behind the Sac State Aquatic Center.