I don’t know how many chambers of commerce sponsor century bicycle rides, but in Healdsburg? That’s the way they roll.
The 27th annual Healdsburg Harvest Century Ride is Saturday, July 20 – just a couple weekends away. The moderately challenging rides of 60, 37 or 23 miles are tours, not races, the event planners emphasize. And the plan is to enjoy yourself.
The organizers like to point out that the Healdsburg Century is listed as one of "The 7 Greatest Rides on Earth" by Bicycling Magazine in a list that includes events in Tuscany, Crested Butte, and Moab. Pretty elite company, for sure.
Of course, the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce hopes you plan ahead, book a room, enjoy the local hospitality and come back to visit soon.
The “century” term comes from the 100-kilometer length, roughly 62.14 miles; but the 60 mile route is only 96.6 kilometers, so if you’re a retentive kind of rider you might want to take an extra lap around the high school track or nine.
The other lengths are even more capricious, designed as if for fun instead of precision. Given that, you might as well take in the scenery, chill at the rest stops, and enjoy a delicious lunch – midway or at bike tour’s end, depending on how driven a peddler you are.
The 23 mile loop leaves from HHS and heads along 101 to Geyerville, from there following 128 (more or less) back toward Healdsburg.
The 37-mile loop leaves HHS but makes heads north through Dry Creek Valley, then up Dutcher Creek Rd. to Asti Rd., south to Geyeserville and out 128.
The full 60 miles takes the Dry Creek route as above in the 37-mile itinerary, then adds on a loop down Eastside Rd. detouring to Windsor, down Starr Rd. and back to Eastside, then across the Russian River to Westside Rd. and back to Healdsburg.
There are official rest stops with plentiful snacks, plus a post-ride gourmet lunch and after-party. Free tee shirt included with registration.
Speaking of which, registration is ongoing: visit eventbrite.com for the details and to register. Registration for any length is $100. Buy 10 registrations, get 10% discount – price becomes $90 each.
- Meeting place: Healdsburg High School.
- Course opens: 6:15am
- Course closes: 2:00pm
- Hosted by the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce.
- Updated information and social networking at https://www.facebook.com/HealdsburgHarvestCentury
