California Bicycle Ride Calendar — August

Updated for 2012

Marin County Century and the Mt. Tam Double – Aug. 4, 2012 Six bike ride options are offered; 50K, 100K, Marin Century, Mount Tam Century, 200K, and Mt. Tam Double Century. Limited to 2,000 riders. All rides start at the Vallecito Elementary School in San Rafael. Sponsored by the Marin Cyclist Bike Club.

Tour de Peninsula — Aug. 5, 2012  Coyote Point Park on San Francisco Bay in San Mateo is the focal point of this recreational bike ride. Ride options of 21, 32, and 63 miles are offered as well as shorter rides for families with kids. Barbecuing, picnicking and other activities are available. Proceeds to San Mateo County Parks and Car-free Sunday Bicycling on Canada Road. (Information in .doc format.)

Shasta Summit Century — Aug. 5, 2012   Four rides of 139, 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.

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.

Ride for a Reason — Aug. 14, 2010 (No ride in 2011; perhaps will return in 2012) 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.

Tour d’Organics - Sebastopol — Aug. 12,  2012  Visit organic farms in the Sebastopol area on 35, 65, or 100-mile bike rides. Loops begin at Sebastopol community center; sponsored by OrganicAthletic.

Holstein Hundred — Aug. 18, 2012 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. 18, 2012  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.

Midnight Madness — Aug. 20, 2011  Customed bike ride is a primarily flat 18 mile loop, along some of San Diego’s most beautiful waterfront and historic areas. Presented by Hostelling International USA. Registration starts at 8 p.m.; ride at midnight.

Tour of Napa Valley — Aug. 19, 2012 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.

Central Coast Classique -  Supporting Uniformed Officers and Armed Forces (California) Cyclists can choose from three options — 100, 62 and 30 miles — for the bike ride that begins at Arroyo Grande and passes vineyards in the Edna Valley. Winery discounts offered at rest stops. Presented by Creative Meditation and San Luis Obispo Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation (SLOLEAF). Date: Aug. 24, 2013.

Bike the Bay — Aug. 26, 2012  Ride your bike across the Coronado Bay Bridge. The 25-mile bike ride is limited to the first 2,500 entrants. Takes in San Diego, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City. Benefits San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.

Jump ahead to September