Karri... I use a western states ride calender that shows all the rides available out here... plus I do my own routes quite often... the longer I ride, the more people I meet, the more routes I learn! I am a "chatty kathy" type who will talk to anyone who will respond, and hck even those who won't! LOL...

next time you're in your LBS ask them about local routes etc. I know our local Trek Store has maps available of many popular routes for newbies and also for cyclists who are here on vaca and don't know where to ride!

I prefer riding with others, but have ridden alone too... but I have never done a century alone. I planned to ride my first one alone in Jan but no have 5 other people riding with me... all are century virgins! WOOT! It should be a fun day... the best part of riding an organized century IMHO is that you have sags, food and restrooms all pre-planned for you... plus you can jump into a pack and draft as needed as long as ya take a pull too! really helps conserve energy...

and if you get base miles in I'm SURE you can ride a century!!! Just keep riding and log up those miles... keep us posted OK? looking forward to hearing how you're doing too!!!

Here's links of some rides for you...

http://www.bicycletexas.com/houston.htm

http://www.bicycletexas.com/tx_bike_rides.htm