As you awake from your winter slumber, there's no better way to wipe the sleep out of your eyes and place your posterior in the saddle than signing up for a spring 100k ride.
Here are eight metric century rides (aka, a normal century ride to everyone else in the world) that will get your blood pumping, quads sweating and allergies...fully activated.
Tour de Summerlin
Saturday, April 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada
While Vegas isn't the ideal place to immerse oneself in blooming flowers and mounds of pollen, it remains the biggest adult playground in the world. Summerlin, the scenic community where the ride takes place, is just a hop and skip from downtown Vegas. While you won't see colorful flowers or The Mirage on your ride, the scenic roads and gorgeous mesas are more than worth pedaling for 100 kilometers.
Natchez Trace Century Ride
Saturday, May 2, 2020 in Ridgeland, Mississippi
This is the kind of ride that puts the "hospitality" in "southern hospitality." Hell, it puts the "southern" in it, too. This event is not so much a grueling test as it is a fun spring day on the bike. The race includes stops every 10 to 15 miles that feature local music, food and hands-on fun, and an after party with more food, more music and more fun. Mardi what?
Tour de Lincoln
Saturday, May 2, 2020 in Lincoln, California
A short drive from Sacramento, this ride in Lincoln, California, traverses a route that utilizes well-stocked rest stops and SAG support as you cruise through beautiful valleys and suffer on challenging climbs. The metric century also includes 3,800 feet of elevation gain, so prepare to tell your legs to shut up around kilometer 80.
San Diego Century Bicycle Tour
Saturday, May 16, 2020 in Encinitas, California
This bicycle tour offers various routes, but don't expect novice riders to tackle the 33-mile course. All rides require participants to traverse San Diego's famous hills and demand good fitness and bike handling. Despite the difficulty, stunning views and perfect weather have made the San Diego Century an annual staple in the self-proclaimed "America's Finest City."
Viking Tour 2020
Sunday, May 17, 2020 in Poulsbo, Washington
The Viking Tour takes place during the town's iconic VikingFest carnival, so don't be afraid to wear your horn-clad helmets on this scenic metric century. The ride finishes in Norway, or (ahem), Poulsbo, Washington—not that you would notice any difference between this charming town and the real Scandinavian country.
Tour de Fronds
Saturday, June 20, 2020 in Powers, Oregon
Seeking that perfect weather before the sultry summer creeps in? The 20th anniversary Tour de Fronds in Powers, Oregon, grants riders the challenge of the roads with the charm of the Pacific Northwest. You'll see gorgeous wildflowers, waterfalls, rivers, streams and mountain vistas all through your sweat-filled sunglasses. New to this year's ride, the Tour de Fronds offers two metric centuries—one on paved roads and the other on gravel—so pick the one that most suits your fancy.
READ THIS NEXT: How Long Is a Metric Century?