Ride of the Century

 

logo

 

Saturday - July 20, 2024

Century Ride Overview

Limited to 500 Riders plus 100 registrants on the day of the ride

 

Sag Wagons - Mechanics – @ 2200 - 4000 ft

Well Stocked Rest Stops – Cool Mornings

200K, 100 Mile, 100K, and 25 Mile Rides

Day time temperatures about 10 degrees cooler than Redding

 

Route Maps

 

Start Time:

200k and 100 mile riders start between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. 100k and 25 mile riders start between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.

The Area

Fall River Mills is nestled in a pristine northeastern California valley. The area offers many opportunities to ride in solitude with commanding views of two of California's famous volcanoes: Mt Shasta to the northwest and Lassen Peak to the south. We've planned a spectacular ride for you on a great route that capitalizes on this and other scenic wonders of the area.


Modified Routes, Better Pavement!

The century and double metric routes have been changed slightly to take advantage of newly widened and rebuilt Highway 299.


Intermountain Grown!

On the fairgrounds Friday 5:00pm 'till dark, this event will showcase local farm products like beer, beef and wild rice. Area artists will display their surprising creations. Live music is provided at no extra charge! Beer is a farm product, isn't it?

Pancake Breakfast Before:

The Willis Hollenbeck Post, American Legion, will make a pancake breakfast available the morning of the ride. The price is included for registered riders. Additional breakfasts can be purchased for $8.50. Expect a hearty, excellent meal!


Dinner After:

This year the after-ride meal will be provided by the Fall River Hotel. The meal will include pasta for a main dish as well as side dishes and dessert. There will be a vegetarian option for the main dish. Last year the hotel did a fantastic job with street tacos and we anticipate another great meal for this year.


REGISTER ONLINE!

It all started in Fall River Mills, California over two decades ago

How it all began

In 1995, a group of devoted cyclists decided it would be fun to put on a century. There were five of us then, and there’s five of us now, with two hanging on from that first year. We had two goals: put on a fun ride and enjoy doing it and bring a little business to town. We were flying by the seat of our pants, using what we knew about rides we had done. One thing we knew was that when Ride Day finally arrived, five people stood no chance of doing this alone.

Register Now

A little help from our friends

So, we set about doing a little recruiting. We needed help with food, both the breakfast on the day of the ride, and the after-ride meal, not to mention the rest stops and SAG wagons. We approached civic and charitable groups around town and asked them for help. We said we had no idea (and we really didn’t) if there would be anything in it for them besides a day’s work. But we did promise that, once we paid all our bills, we would divide the net proceeds (if any) among the helpers.

Our Sponsors

A Beautiful Ride

We drew about 120 riders in 1995, and we did have a little money left over. We kept some for start up money to be used the following year and wrote some modest checks for our helpers. The all-volunteer organizations were happy for a shot in the arm, even if the amounts were not the sort of thing that would turn your head.

Testimonials

Small Business Supporting Big Ideas

Making Improvements

Time went by and we made some improvements. The routes that first year were not well thought out. In the second year, we debuted the routes that are still in use today. In an area where suitable roads are scarce, the options are limited, but we think we’ve done a good job of providing some variety. There is enough climbing to satisfy most, and quite a few opportunities to enjoy a remarkable variety of landscapes. We’re especially proud of the views on offer of our two local volcanoes, Mt. Shasta and Lassen Peak.

More Riders, More Money

Ridership increased, and with it, so did our ability to bump up the size of our donations to the groups that help us. In 28 years, we have placed an aggregate of about $170,000 in the hands of several very worthwhile organizations. We would like you to know who they are.


The Fort Crook Historical Society is responsible for setting up, taking down and cleaning up after the post-ride meal. They do a huge job for us and spend a very long couple of days doing it.

Amazing Support

The Willis Hollenbeak Post #369, American Legion, provides your breakfast. This work is quite involved, as they take care of procuring the groceries, bringing in the cooking equipment and cooking your breakfast. Then, after a long morning, the clean up begins for them. When they leave, you see no trace of their presence except a bunch of satisfied cyclists.

 

Route Maps
Jersey example

These jerseys will be available on the day of the ride for $70.00 each.

Order

The Ride...

Your very first encounter with helpers on the road is at the Dana Store. The store has been closed a long time, but the Pine Grove 4-H club is there to encourage you along the way with water, sweets, bananas and a smile! Your first rest stop, at Clark Creek Lodge near Lake Britton, is operated by the American Legion Auxiliary. They arrive very early in order to be prepared for your arrival and provide encouragement for the many miles ahead.


Next up is the Cassel rest stop, manned by volunteers from the youth group from Word of Life Assembly. Proceeds assist in youth activities and are much appreciated. They are happy to see to it that you are headed in the right direction as you leave. They would not want you to miss Six Mile Hill!

Fall River Mills

The lunch stop in Fall River Mills is taken care of by the Intermountain Preschool Co-Op, Inc. This shady spot is a lunch stop for some and the first rest stop for others. Their share of the profits supports a school that offers a warm, welcoming environment for the youth of the community. A physically and emotionally safe space is provided where children can enjoy academics, play, free choice, art, and movement. Key to its success is the Co-Op’s cultivation of strong partnerships with parents to provide these opportunities. Your support helps enable this preschool to continue providing an environment of learning and growth.

Local Support

About six miles later, you can water up at a stop operated by SNIPPP, a local group that is concerned about animal welfare. These folks have developed a spay and neuter program that is free of charge to pet owners or others that are trying to get the population of unwanted pets under control. They also help folks locate lost pets.


For many, the next stop is the incomparable Bob’s Creek Water Stop, staffed by volunteers that put on the Summer Art Camp each year. The Camp is offered to school kids as a means of enriching their lives through the visual arts. Proceeds are used to purchase supplies for this worthwhile annual event.

Little Valley

At the top of the climb, the Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department provides another lunch stop for the metric and double metric riders. There is no other rest stop like this one, not anywhere. These folks are very pleased to see you, and happy to help! Their community is economically depressed following the closure of a sawmill many years ago, and the dollars injected into their department go a long way.

Fall River Valley

The Lassen Bench rest stop is run by the cheerful volunteers of the Fall River Valley Library. You’ll find shade and a smile there. One of the victims of shifting priorities at the county government level has been the outlying branch libraries. Local bookworms decided this is wrong, all wrong, and they did something about it. Your participation in this ride helps them to continue their good work.

Volcanic Legacy

At the end of Day Road, you’ll find the Award-Winning Day Rest Stop, which, for many years, was operated by the Day Community Club. That club is now disbanded, and the rest stop is operated by Little Country Church of McArthur, but the people are still the same. You get cool showers there. No kidding: COOL SHOWERS!

Awesome Evening Meal

And then, after the last 20 miles or so, you are back at the fairgrounds, enjoying a fine after ride meal. Several groups have put this meal on during the life of the century, including the Boy Scouts, Future Farmers of America, and a local chef interested in helping budding chefs get an education. It is now cheerfully provided by the employees of the historic Fall River Hotel.

Register Now!

Camping

 

RV and tent spots at the Inter-Mountain Fairground will be available. Showers will be available for campers.

 

Information about US Forest Service campgrounds in the area is available at:

www.fs.usda.gov/activity/lassen/recreation

 

Campgrounds in the Hat Creek Ranger District are the closest to the Fall River Valley.

 

PG&E also has campgrounds in the area.

 

Check the "Pit River/Hat Creek/Battle Creek" section at: PG&E Recreational Areas

 

Local Links

 

 

Home

Route Maps

25 Mile Ride

25 Miles

Metric Century

65 Miles

Century Ride

100 Miles

Double Metric

128 Miles

-Rules-

Everybody wears an approved helmet

Bikes will be in good condition

Be courteous and spread good will

Ride single file and report any accidents

Start & Finish at the Fairgrounds in McArthur

Watch for signs posted along all routes

 

-Registration-

Attention!!!

All Riders Must Fill Out & Sign:

Registration, Accident Waiver & Release of Liability Form

If you wish to participate in the Fall River Century Ride:

1 Print the Registration & Waiver Form

2 Please Read It & Sign It

3 Prepare a Check for the Following Amounts:

  • $80.00 for the 200K
  • $75.00 for the 100 mile and 100k
  • $50.00 for the 25-mile
  • $10.00 additional for tandem

Pre-register by July 1st, or rides are $5 More

4 Mail Check & Signed Waiver (One per Rider) to:

Fall River Century

PO Box 762

Fall River Mills, CA 96028

NOTE: For on-site registration fees or merchandise purchases please bring cash or a check.

We do not accept credit or debit cards.

REGISTER ONLINE!

-Directions-

Getting There:
Fall River Mills is on State Hwy 299, 72 miles North East of Redding. Travelers coming from the North should travel SR 89 South from Mt Shasta, then East on 299 about 11 miles.

 

Ride Location:
As always, we’ll be riding from the Inter-Mountain Fairgrounds, located in McArthur, about four miles northeast of Fall River Mills. You will have green lawns for your tents and a very relaxed atmosphere. Due to recent cuts in fairground funding we will be charging $5 per person for camping. There are large trees and plenty of room for everybody. Don't miss out on a great time hanging out with great people!

 

Home

 

Make it a priority to take part in our ride. See some volcanoes, see some beautiful water, enjoy the farmland and livestock. Marvel at the (mostly) fabulous pavement and keep an eye out for a Sandhill Crane. But, most of all, visit us for a great ride, supported by friendly, helpful people. We look forward to seeing you!

Testimonials

Of course, it’s best to hear what the riders have to say. Unsolicited comments include the following:

 

“Love this ride!”
“Did the ride today. As always, wonderful volunteers who put on this great event. Could not eat another bite after breakfast. There was sausage, ham, eggs and hotcakes. Kudos to all the volunteers once again for another year of great food, riding in this beautiful farmland community and the attention to detail at all the rest stops.”
“Might I suggest extra ice at the lunch stop and afternoon rest stops?”
“Thank you and all the very friendly volunteers. Especially colorful gal at the lunch spot, she was a kick to talk to. Loved riding some of your back roads I’ve never been on.”
“Great event, thank you to everyone that helped put on the ride. There were a few that went out of their way to help make it a memorable day.”
“Our Crew had a great experience on both the metric and century ride. The local people are so nice and such a beautiful area to ride.”
“We really look forward to seeing you all again at this ride. I love supporting local communities with my registration fee!”

 

 

Although they do not write us a check, we must recognize the Inter-Mountain Fair for providing an outstanding facility that serves as the hub for all the day’s activities.

 

The Ride Crew is keenly aware of, and most grateful for all the enthusiasm and support received from this generous community. We feel as if we have settled on a great way of doing things, from which so many benefit, from the riders that enjoy the event to the support volunteers that get a kick out of helping. Yes, you really can see it in their smiles.

Photos

Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride Fall River Century Ride