California Bicycle Ride Calendar — October

Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo — Oct. 1, 2011  A chance for all levels of bicyclists to ride with Leipheimer and some of his pro friends. Leaves from Santa Rosa and visits the Sonoma coast, redwoods and vineyards. Three options of 40, 65 and 104 miles. A fund-raiser to help bring the Tour of California back to Sonoma, as well as an animal charity and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (registration opened Dec. 15; half of 6,000 limit reached in first day)

Bike MS Southern California Ride — Oct. 1-2, 2011  The two-day ride starts each morning at the San Buenaventura State Beach near Ventura. Climbs and descends through the Coastal Range. Many mileage options available between 160 miles to 15 miles. Fund-raiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Seismic Challenge — Oct. 2, 2011 The route follows the San Andreas Fault from Fort Bragg to the Russian River. The 100-mile ride is a charity event for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

.Climate Ride California — Oct. 2-6, 2011 A 320-mile ride from Eureka to San Francisco to raise funds for 9 organizations that work toward sustainability, clean energy and climate education, including Rails to Trails and the Bike Coalition. Sponsored by Brita.

Mt. Diablo Challenge — Oct. 2, 2011  Eleven-mile ride, all uphill, to the top of Mt. Diablo in East Bay suburbs of San Francisco Bay. 1,000 cyclists expected Must pre-register. Sponsored by Save Mt. Diablo.

Tour of Poway — Oct. 2, 2011   Five bicycle routes — 15 to 100 miles — through northern San Diego County. Starts and ends at Old Poway Park. Hosted by Kiwanis Club of Poway.

Central Coast Classique -  Supporting Uniformed Officers and Armed Forces — Oct. 6, 2012   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).

Mendocino Harvest Ride — October Three bike rides — 11, 31 and 62 miles — beginning in Hopland and routing through vineyards, pear orchards and back country of Redwood Valley. Benefits the Ukiah Boy’s and Girl’s Club.

Tour de Tango; People Powered Ride — October  Three bikes routes of 30, 60 and 100 miles takes cyclists through Santa Barbara County wine country and surrounding hills, beginning near Santa Ynez. Sponsored by the Goleta Valley Bicycle Club.

Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century — Oct. 8, 2011  The 200-mile bike ride begins in Clovis and routes cyclists up to about 3,800-foot elevation, with an estimated 16,000-foot total elevation gain. Lights are required for this one, although they can be dropped off at a morning rest stop and picked up at another stop later on the route. Sponsored by the Frenso Cycling Club.

Spooktacular — Oct. 8, 2011  Several strenuous cycling routes — including a century ride with 10,000 feet of climbing — in and around Bakersfield. Rides include Hideous Hundred, Horrible Hundred, Nightmare Ninety, Morbid Metric, Frightful Forty, and Trembling Twenty. Sponsored by Kern Wheelmen.

Riverbank Cheese and Wine Century– Oct. 9, 2011 Three rides — 25, 62 and 110 miles — encompassing everything from flat Central Valley farmland to steep Mother Lode foothills. The  ride begins at Riverbank High School. Sponsored by the Stanislaus County Bicycle Club..

Chico Fall Flower Century – Oct. 9, 2011  Four routes through Butte County give cyclists a choice of 100, 75, 50 or 10 miles. Presented by Chico Velo Cycling Club.

Col. Allensworth Century –Oct. 13, 2012 The century rolls across the San Joaquin Valley and into the Sierra foothills. Optional bike rides of 40 and 80 miles take cyclists to the edge of the foothills; also 90 miles. Starts at Colonel Allensworth state park located between Visalia and Bakersfield. Sponsored by Crankin’ Time Cycling.

Foxy’s Fall Century — Oct. 15, 2011   Billed as a good “first century,” the three bike routes — 31, 62, or 100 miles — take cyclists through the orchards and rolling hills of Solano and Napa counties. Begins at Davis High School and sponsored by the Davis Bike Club.

San Luis Obispo Gran Fondo — Oct. 15, 2011  Three rides of 100, 50 and 25 miles along the coast and mountains of San Luis Obispo. (Formerly Candy Corn Classic)

Salton Sea Century — October   Five ride options, from 18 to 100 miles, starting at Borrego Springs. The ride encompasses low and mid elevation desert around the Salton Sea. Organized by Shadow Tour.

 Ride to End Cancer  — Oct. 16, 2011   Three options of 25, 50 and 75 miles leaving from McHenry Village in Modesto. Raises money for Memorial Hospital’s Triumph Fitness Program.

Tour of Marin — Oct. 16, 2011  A half-century bike tour through Marin County to Nicasio Reservoir. The ride, described at moderate to fast, is limited to 200 riders. It’s a fund-raiser for the scholarship fund for the Marin Country Day School.

Santa Barbara Century — Oct. 22, 2011  The century and metric century start at Leadbetter Beach and visit beaches and mountains of Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria. Significant elevation gain on each.

The Condor Classic — Oct. 22, 2011  This second annual bike ride raises funds for the reintroduction of the California condors at the Pinnacles National Monument along the Central Coast. San Benito County, located between the Diablo and Gabilan Mountain ranges near Monterey Bay, offers a mix of scenery, light traffic, ideal weather and history. Five ride options from 10 to 100 miles.

Miramar Bay to Bay MS Tour – Oct. 22-23, 2011 The fund-raiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society follows the Pacific Coast from Orange County to San Diego. Bike ride options of 30, 100 or 150 miles.

Fall Metric Century — October 29, 2011   Metric and half metric century routes take cyclists into the foothills and a climb to Oak Glen for a rest stop and long downhill back to the start. Hosted by Orange County Wheelmen.

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