Favorite organized rides in your area?

[PinkBike]

el Tour de Tucson. definitely.

[IntenseRide]

RAGBRAI.

Last week of July. Iowa. 10,000 of your closest drinken friends on bicycles. Heat. Humidity. Hills.

I've never ridden in a large organized ride before, preferring my rides to be small and disorganized, but the rolling party known as RAGRAI has been on my Life List since I first heard of it. DH & I are riding this year.

As a former Iowan, you will love it!

[roadie gal]

"America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride". It goes around Lake Tahoe. Going around the lake itself is 72 miles. They add an extra out and back to Truckee to get you to a century if you want.

Also, in this area is the Tahoe Sierra Century. It goes from Squaw Valley up over Donner Summit and winds through Truckee. A TON of climbing. This ride is run by a friend of mine and the money goes to a great cause: music programs in our middle and high schools. http://www.tahoesierracentury.com/


Another challenging, but very pretty century is the Sierra Century in the Gold Country area. You wind through small towns and vineyards. I did it about 6 years ago. It was one of the best supported rides I've ever done. It looks like they've changed the route for this year, but I'd bet it's still a great ride.
http://www.sacwheelmen.org/sc2007/07home.html

[Daydrummer]

Hotter n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, TX. I haven't ridden this one myself yet but I hope to do so this year. But, according to the number of riders who take to the streets on this one it must be pretty good. I believe they had over 10,000 participants for last years ride.

I'm from there, and have done it twice in the past...it is truly exhilarating