Here’s a blurb about the ride from the official website:

We offer you the good things in life. Like challenging climbs. Breathtaking views. Lightly trafficked, rural roads. And 16,500 vertical feet of climbing over the course of 139 miles (rides of 100, 60 and 30 miles are also available). Wrap all that in a cloverleaf route that encourages you to test yourself (you’re never more than a downhill away from home), populate the ride with the friendliest volunteers on the planet (one rest stop offered valet bike parking the last three years), and you’ve got something special. Something like the Mount Shasta Summit Century.

Video Highlights

Watching this video really makes me want to sign up for this year’s event!

Summit Century Ride Review

Wondering if you need to train like the dickens to successfully complete this challenging cycling event?  May I suggest you read my ride review from several years ago.

Higher Ride Fees For 2012

Ride fees haven’t gone up for several years (they charged $60 for the Super Century), but skyrocketing food prices have forced organizers to hike their fees this year:

Our food costs doubled from 2010 to 2011, and though the ride grew 30 riders in 2011 (exactly the growth rate we wanted), we ended up with $5000 less to grant to local youth sports. Ouch. We hope you understand.

Given the amount of organization that goes into putting on a ride like this, the higher fees seem reasonable.  It’s a great event with excellent support and one of the most challenging bicycle rides in the West.

Official Website: shastasummitcentury.com

Southern Oregon is one of my favorite places for cycling. It’s been more than a decade (yikes) since I’ve ridden in the Crater Lake area and I’ve got my eye on the Crater Lake Century Ride this year.

The exact date for the 2012 edition hasn’t been locked in yet but August 18th is being thrown out as a possibility, pending approval from the National Parks Service. Confirmation is expected in late February or early March.

Century Option

The 100 mile ride will start at the Fort Klamath Museum on Crater Lake Highway (Rte 62) at 4,000 ft elevation, and will enjoy the first 35 miles along the valley floor of the Wood River Valley with breathtaking views of the surrounding Cascade mountains with old growth forests.

This will be a nice warm up for the 3,000 ft climb to the Crater Lake Rim. Once reaching the rim and getting your first view of the brilliantly blue, awe inspiring Crater Lake, Century Riders will continue another 30 miles of peaks and valleys for an additional 3,000 ft of climbing around the lake on Rim Drive.

Then participants will enjoy the ride back down to the Wood River Valley and will end the ride with 8 miles of flat roads back to the Fort Klamath Museum.

Metric Century Option

The 62 mile route will start at the Fort Klamath Museum on Crater Lake Highway (Rte 62) at 4,000 ft elevation, and within 8 miles of the start will begin the 3,000 ft climb to the rim. Metric Century riders will turn around on the at the Phantom Ship Overlook. After a well deserved break, riders will return back down to the Wood River Valley and the Fort Klamath Museum.

Highlights from last year’s edition

Ride Reviews

The scenery, the road marks, the sag stops, they where so great, they were only topped by the homemade ice cream!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH see you next year. John H.

Here are some more  reviews from past participants.

Put It On Your Wishlist

It’s a perfect thing to put on your Christmas wishlist.  At $40 a pop, you can easily make up the cost and then some within the first couple of events.  It’s also a great way to keep your calendar filled with upcoming bike rides and events  — great motivation for the rainy season riding that lies ahead.

Ride Like A King

• Ride registration discounts on the most popular cycling events in the Portland area.
• 25% discount on merchandise including ride jerseys and t-shirts.
• VIP treatment and free beer at select events.
• Express registration – step to the front of the line!
• Exclusive invitations to to happy hours, clinics and hangouts.
• Free beer…did we already mention that one?

Sign Up for VIP Membership

The Good Sport Promotion Lineup

Here’s a list of the rides and events included in the VIP package.  To get the VIP discount, make sure you follow the instructions on the Ride Like A King page.

• Worst Day of the Year Ride – $5 off + 1 FREE BEER (or soda) at finish line
• Reach the Beach – $10 off registration
• Portland Century – $10 off registration
• Bike MS – $10 off registration
• Petal Pedal – $10 off registration
• Seattle Century – $10 off registration
• Cirque du Cycling – Complimentary race entry (must have an OBRA license, not included)
• Portland Twilight Criterium -1 FREE BEER and limited free entry to VIP lounge
• Jackson’s Ride the Gorge – $10 off registration
• Filmed by Bike – Free DVD + discounted tickets
• Tour de Cure – $15 off registration fee (which means FREE registration if you register during the early rate of $15).
• Pedal Nation – Two for one entry
• Gracie’s Wrench – Discounted Instruction

We met up at HopWorks on N. Williams.

It was a chilly clear evening – a great night for a ride. We were well lit as 14 of us rode the easy 4 miles to PIR. As we approached the Raceway, there were about two hundred cyclists in line. Many had biked there, and many more had driven to the parking lot and unloaded their rides. Winter Wonderland is a great family event, attracting lots of kids on bikes and kids in their parent’s cargo bikes.

Entering the track, we rode under a huge canopy of lights.

First along the route was a “Santa’s Workshop” theme.

Next were the “12 Days of Christmas,” depicted in lavish lighted displays – one display for each day.

Further along the track was a manger scene of lights, including wise men on camels, and palm trees. By this time, the temperature had dropped to freezing, and, despite gloves, my fingers were numb and I couldn’t hold my camera still enough for a night shot.

Finally, there were the dinosaurs. Brightly colored light-dinosaurs. I’m not sure of the connection between a blue brontosaurus and Jesus’ birth celebration, but then I’ve never been sure of what 8 Maids-a-Milking has to do with the holidays. Being a secular cyclist myself, I say ‘Whatever!’

As I stopped to take photos along the course, I ‘lost’ my group. I figured I’d find them at the Hot Chocolate tent. Not there. (I know my group – they were anxious to get back to HopWorks to warm up!) As much as I would have liked a cup of cocoa, the line was long, and by this time my toes were numb. But I spotted some decked-out bikes, before I headed home.

There’s only one “Bike the Lights” night each year, but you can go by car until December 25. Find all the details about Winter Wonderland.

Join your fellow two-wheeling friends for the 3rd Annual Bike Gallery Bike the Lights Night on Monday, December 5th!

More than 800 bicyclists pedaled around the raceway in 2010! It was an excellent turnout for the ride with over $1000 being raised for the BTA (Bicycle Transportation Alliance). The early December date means it’s a crap shoot for the weather but the extended forecast looks hopeful with only a 20 percent chance of rain and a low around 40 degrees. I’ve been out there the past several years as a part of the Doggie Walk Night and it’s been freezing cold and pouring. Dry weather would be a nice treat!

Here’s the Scoop for 2011

Monday Dec. 5th, 5-9 PM in 2011. $6 per person – Children under 13 are free.

A benefit for the BTA, Bicycle Transportation Alliance. A portion of admission, on-site sales, all special raffle tickets and all cash donations go to BTA.

Bring the family to a fun night dedicated to bicycle riding (no cars allowed on track) and the bicycle community.

Helmets required on children 16 & under (including passengers in bike seats and trailers), and highly encouraged for all other ages.

Proper lighting on your bike is also required please.

There is plenty of free parking at Portland International Raceway for The Bike Gallery Bike the Lights Night. Bring the kids and bikes, park inside PIR, and pedal around the track to the wonder of Winter Wonderland.

For those riding their bikes to PIR, the South Gate off Denver Avenue will be open for easy bicycle access. Please use appropriate lighting for night time riding.

About Winter Wonderland

Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi“, the 19th annual Jubitz Winter Wonderland – Powered by Comcast will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner.

Since 1993, a journey through Winter Wonderland has become a Holiday tradition for many families, friends, and social organizations to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. Spectators can enjoy the most spectacular holiday light show in the region, viewing over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes.

Brad Ross and Hugh Givens created a wildly popular bike ride by going out of their way to make it the most difficult ride in the Portland area. If pain is your pleasure then de Ronde van Oeste Portlandia is the bike ride for you.

It’s only 47.52 miles but packs in 18 unmerciful climbs with a total ascent of 4,806.43 ft and a maximum elevation of 1,184.38 ft. The steepest point of the ride comes only 10 miles into the route on Brynwood.

This tiny road is tucked away in the hills of Northwest Portland, connecting Miller Road and Skyline Boulevard. It’s not more than a mile long and really doesn’t look all that daunting when you turn off of Miller Road and start the climb. But just wait until you take that first hairpin turn and behold what’s still to come! With a maximum grade of 31 percent, Brynwood demands respect from even the most accomplished climbers.

As Brad Ross states:

You would think your legs are going to get all sore and your lungs are going to start burning, which they do...but on this climb you have to wrench your bike back and forth so hard your arms get tired.

The route never veers more than a couple of miles from downtown Portland, but your quads will be shredded by the time you crest Council Crest to soak in the view and pat yourself on the back for making it to the finish. If you managed to get through the ride without walking up any climbs, congrats, you’re a decent climber and are smart enough to put the right gearing on your bike!

This is the one ride where we've really done everything we can to torture people and make it the most difficult bike ride you can possibly do without ever leaving Portland city limits. – Brad Ross

• Map of the Ride
• RondePDX.com

Pace Yourself

Even after cresting Old Germantown Road, you’ll still need to have some climbing left in your legs to successfully negotiate the rollers on the return ride along Skyline Boulevard.  Thankfully, the decent back into Portland is sweet and swift.  You pedal through two tunnels on Cornell Road but don’t be shy and take the lane.

The Death Ride

This well-known cycling event is the gold standard for challenging bike rides. The Death Ride sells out every year and requires you to register seven months in advance in order to guarantee entry. The route features 15,000 feet of climbing in 129 miles through the Nevada Sierra.

Tour of the Unknown Coast

A beautiful early season century in Northern California, the Tour of the Unknown Coast travels through the Redwood Forest and along coast on Hwy 1. The really tough climbing comes late in the ride – blowing your quads to smithereens in the final 20 miles.

Shasta Summit Super Century

Looking for a super challenging bike ride? The Mount Shasta Super Summit Century ride is billed as being, “Tougher than the famed Markleeville Death Ride.” Are you ready for this tough ride? The Mount Shasta Super Summit Century ride is so, so hard. This extreme cycling event is not for the faint of heart

Terrible Two Double Century

The Terrible Two Double Century in Santa Rosa, California holds a special place in my heart. I’ve only ridden this incredibly challenging route once but remember it fondly in a crazy kind of way. Anyone who relishes this kind of ride knows what I’m talking about.

RAMROD

RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day) is the Pacific Northwest’s premiere one-day ultra-marathon cycling event. It combines the incomparable scenery of Mount Rainier National Park with a challenging course featuring 10,000 feet of climbing over 154 miles.

Worst Day of The Year Ride Registration

This is the 10th anniversary of this annual Portland cycling tradition and registration is capped at 4,000. Believe it or not, the ride sells out so don’t count on waiting to see what the forecast is before signing up.

An Option for Everyone

You have plenty of riding options depending on your fitness level and ambition, including a fairly challenging 45 mile loop that takes you into the West Hills of Portland. There’s also a nice 18-mile option billed as “an odyssey around downtown Portland that has quickly become Portland’s favorite wintertime bike ride.” And since misery loves company, the event brings out scores of hardy souls who will join in the fun and revelry — no matter how hard it’s raining.

Costume Contest

O.k. not for everyone but it’s not a race so if you’re so inclined, get creative and give it a shot. Here are the costume categories:

• Best Penguin and Friends
• Best Group
• Best Weather Theme
• Most Elaborate

World Class Finish Line Party

Your reward for participating in this fun cycling event, aside from the healthy dose of endorphins, includes hot cocoa, doughnuts, fruit, spicy chai tea, soups, bagels, hot cider and a huge finish line lunch. Not too shabby and if you’re in need of some winter blues-busting motivation, this ought to do the trick.

If you need more convincing on how much fun people have participating in this early-season ride, check out the photos from the 2010 edition of the event.

Worst Day of the Year Ride Official Web site

A Fun and Fast First 100 Miles

The first century of the ride zipped by without a hitch. Trinity Grade and The Geyers came early enough to escape the oppressive heat and I rolled into the lunch stop in about 5.5 hours feeling fit as a fiddle and confident I would cruise through the second half. No problem.

The Great Meltdown

Little did I know what Skaggs Springs had in store for me. It was high noon with no shade in sight and the temperature soared from 90 degrees to 107+ in the sun. With relentless steep climb after steep climb and nary the slightest wisp of wind, I transformed into a giant salt lick.

I stopped at rest stops and poured water over my head and pressed on. By the time I crested the final summit of Skaggs Springs, my stomach reeled with the least bit of effort.

Time for a Cool Change

After a bone-rattling decent to the coast, the weather cooled dramatically and I found myself actually riding in the fog! Amazing and thank God for the heat relief. Limping to the Fort Ross check point, scores of riders zipped by me, offering their wheel for me to draft. Such kind cyclists but to no avail as I had no ability to muster up even the lamest increase in pace.

Please Just Get Me Home

I sat at the Fort Ross check point for more than 20 minutes in a vain attempt to recapture some energy. It didn’t work.

Two Tiny Pills Save the Day

Two tiny little Electrolytes pills saved the final stretch of my day. I stopped at the final check point, willing to do almost anything to quell the nausea. Offered a couple of electrolyte pills, I popped them assuming it wouldn’t do any good but how could it get any worse. Only minutes later I felt like a new person. The final 20 miles clicked by and I was able to make it into the finish before needing the required bike light
.

Terrible Two Official Website