To date the novel coronavirus epidemic has wiped out centuries since the beginning of March through the end of May. Even though the current Bay Area shelter-in-place order expires on May 3, no one seems to think that we are going to open up, at least fully, by then. A twelve-week quarantine would put us at the end of May before normal commerce could start. Even events in June and beyond are uncertain, either being cancelled/postponed already, having registration paused, or adding disclaimers to their websites that ‘the situation is evolving’, ie. it may not take place on the scheduled date. When the shelter-iin-place is ended that doesn’t mean that people will throng to centuries despite pent-up demand; many will be wary of large gatherings even outdoors. Finally, when the shelter-in-place is removed, we may still have social distancing protocols such as wearing face masks. How would you like to ride a hundred miles in heat with a face mask?
June
7 Sunday. Sequoia Century. Cancelled for 2020; next one will take place on Sunday June 6, 2021.
13 Saturday. Gold Country Challenge. Postponed to an indefinite date in September. Now cancelled for 2020.
14-27 SuperTour. This isn’t a century. But it’s the godfather of Death Rides: two weeks of cycling in the Sierras. It averages 84 miles and 9,000 feet of vertical per day. It’s hard to get on SuperTour because it’s a small group. On the other hand you have to be hardcore into climbing at altitude. And of course the scenery is awesome! Unfortunately it’s now been cancelled for 2020.
20 Saturday. Castle Crags Century. $75-$45. 141, 99, 79, 62 or 37 mile routes out of Mt. Shasta, CA. Still on. Now cancelled and next year’s event will be on June 19, 2021.
20 Sunday. Mile High 100. $55-85. 33, 56, and 108 mi routes. A beautiful ride around Lake Almanor near Chester, CA. Still on. Now postponed to September 5, 2020. If cancelled your reg fee minus processing will be refunded.
20-27 Sierra To The Sea. $1,150. This also isn’t a century but a weeklong trip from the Sierras back to the Bay Area run by Almaden Cycle Touring Club in San Jose. Registration is open and has not filled up yet. You average 60 miles of cycling every day with variable elevation gain. Cancelled for 2020.
27 Saturday. Climb to Kaiser. Climb to Kaiser. $95/$75. 160 or 95 miles. Like Shaft this ride is one bad mofo. Yeah, it’s long but so are lots of centuries. And it’s got lots of climbing, like about 10k feet. But what makes it epic is that it starts in Fresno. In June. So it’s a little bit hot as well. But for bragging rights this is THE ride to add to your bucket list. And if you do it, it may in fact be the last item you ever add to your bucket list. If 160 miles and 10,000 feet are an overreach, Fresno Cycling Club also offers the Tollhouse Century, which is just 95 miles and 7,500 feet. Still on. Now cancelled.
27 Saturday. Giro Bello. $69-$99. 100 mi, 100 km, 30 mi routes. Still on. Now cancelled.
July
11 Saturday. The Death Ride. $139. This ride needs no description! You pick as many passes as you want to bag before you collapse. “Rescheduled to 7/17/21”, ie. uh that’s called a cancellation in plain English!
18 Saturday. Santa Cruz Mountain Challenge. Cancelled for 2020; next one is scheduled for 7/17/21.
18 Saturday. Fall River Century. $45-65. 25, 65, 200, and 120 mi routes. This is an awesome ride north of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Quiet roads. Listed as still on [even though the county order still bans large gatherings.][6/23/20: According to sfgate.com there has been an explosion of COVID-19 cases in Shasta county including one superspreading event: “Although Shasta County still has a relatively small number of cases, its numbers have soared in June. After an April and May where rarely more than one case was confirmed each day, June has consistently had multiple positives per day. The county health department says it’s at an overall alert level of 3 out of 4, designating “many cases including community spread, with undetected cases likely.”]
August
1 Saturday. Marin Century. Still on but reg paused. In other words no definite decision but they don’t want to take your money and then have to refund it. Nope, Marin Cyclists finally cancelled the 2020 Marin Century. You’ll receive a refund if you’ve already registered.
15 Saturday. Cool Breeze Century. 30, 60, 100, hilly 100, and 125 mile routes. A pleasant, not-too-difficult century down in Ventura county with great weather. Still on but registration is delayed until June 1. [Registration still not open on 6/3, which is ominous. Note: over 1,000 COVID-19 cases in Ventura County and its Stay At Home order bans group gatherings.]
15 Saturday. Crater Lake Century. $95. 62 and 100 mile routes. Limit of 350 riders. If you’ve never ridden around Crater Lake, this is a must-do. The 100-mile route has a 17-mile flat out-and-back section you can skip, reducing the length to 83 miles. Still on. Shit, this one is now cancelled too.
16 Sunday. Tour of Napa. $55-65 $25. 35, 63, 102 mi routes. Still on but virtually only–see website for details.
The Chain Letter 