UPDATED WITH RIDES WE MISSED ON 1ST POSTING!

I’ve been a busy beaver this week updating our comprehensive calendar of Austin area rides, races, and bike events for the coming months. Today, I’ll give you a brief summary of all the upcoming century and charity rides so to aid you in planning training for the spring (and maybe fulfill resolution #1 and/or #2). Look for a preview of the Spring 2011 road racing and triathlon calendar as well in the coming days.

All of the rides listed are scheduled, but not all of them have their 2011 info up yet. Where this year’s info is not available, I’ve included last year’s course. Most of these rides do not change the routes much year to year.

If this is your first time to go long on the bike, check out some of our Training with Sara Krause articles, sign up for a training program with a group like Austin Bike Camp, or head down to the library or book store to find one of the myriad of bike training books. Since there are over a dozen club and shop road rides every weekend from Georgetown to Buda, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a group to ride that meets your distance, speed, and locational needs.

Pedal Thru the Pines Road
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Starts at Bastrop High School, 1700 Chambers St., Bastrop TX 78602
Distances: 16, 27, 50 or 65 miles (on paved roads)
The 9th Annual Pedal Thru The Pines hosted by the Family Crisis Center invites you to participate in a fun filled day that supports the Center’s vision of a safe community built on equality without the existence of violence. Cyclists will enjoy traversing the beautiful Loblolly Pines of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks and the surrounding country roads of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee counties. The routes provide a unique experience for cyclists of every level. Well stocked rest stops, friendly volunteers and a top notch veteran SAG Team add to the success of this must do event.

Rosedale Ride
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Starts at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, East Parmer Road, Austin, TX
Distances: 20, 43 or 63 miles
Open to cyclists of all abilities, the ride offers different courses to suit anyone. This year the Rosedale Ride has four courses to choose from: a Kid’s Fun Ride; or courses of 20, 43 or 63 miles. The ride begins and ends at Samsung, winding through the gently rolling countryside east of Austin. The Rosedale Ride supports the Rosedale School, AISD’s only school for children with multiple disabilities.The Rosedale Foundation has raised over $350,000 for Rosedale School since 1999.

LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Starts at LBJ National Historical Park, Stonewall, TX
Distances: 10-mile-family, 30, 42 and 62-mile rides
Starting and ending on the famed LBJ Ranch, the routes take riders under majestic live oaks, past historical landmarks that figured prominently not only in the Johnson family history, but also in U.S. Presidential history. See the descendants of President Johnson’s famed Hereford cattle herd as you exit the Ranch. Thereafter, it’s on to spectacular Hill Country cycling – on smooth-surfaced Ranch-Market roads and quiet country lanes that will take you back in time. Visit rural, historic Gillespie County schools that do duty as rest stops on this scenic tour. This is truly a “Ride to Preserve History”. As in the previous years, Luci Baines Johnson will lead a tour of the historical landmarks on the ranch at 2:30.

Spokes ‘n Spurs Ride for the Ranch
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Starts at Spirit Reins Ranch, 2055 County Road 284, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Distances: 62.5, 44, 28, 14 miles & a 6 mile family ride
Spokes ‘n Spurs is a great Hill Country ride benefiting Spirit Reins!   Riders will start at the entrance to the ranch and enjoy a great route with beautiful views, gently rolling hills and the wildlife of the Texas Hill Country. All ages and skill levels welcome.  Full SAG, Rest Stop and Mechanical support will be provided.  We will also have nurses at most rest stops, Motorcycle Special Events Team and BP MS150 ride marshals patrolling the route.

UPDATE: 12th Annual Pedal Power Wildflower Ride
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Starts at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park, Stonewall, TX
This ride is scheduled, but details are not yet up. Check the ride site for registration and details in the coming months. All proceeds benefit the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center, which provides free services to abused children and their families. Last year’s route offered distances of 12, 23, 36 and 60 miles on the prettiest routes in the Texas Hill Country along quiet roads with an abundance of spring flowers.

Austin Autism Society Bike Ride
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Start location TBA (2010 start was at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Georgetown, TX)
This ride is scheduled, but details are not yet up. Check the ride site for registration and details in the coming months. This ride benefits the Autism Society of Greater Austin (ASGA), the local chapter of the Autism Society of America. Last years course was 2.5 miles, 9 miles, 20 miles, 41 miles, or 100K.

Tour de Vineyard at Florence
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Starts at The Vineyard at Florence, 8711 W FM 487, Florence, TX 76527
Distances: 15, 35, 45 and 65 miles
The ride will take you through the scenic back roads of Florence and Williamson County.  There will be rest stops supported by local organizations providing all of the necessities.  SAG and EMS will be provided as well. If you do not pre-register, you will not be guaranteed a shirt.  T-shirt orders must be in by March 18th. Registration includes lunch: turkey sandwich, chips, ice tea, water or lemonade. The 4th Annual Old World Stone Carving Competition and Art Show will also be taking place on April 9, 11 AM- 6 PM.

UPDATE: Round Rock Express Ride
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Starts at Dell Diamond, 3400 East Palm Valley Boulevard, Round Rock, TX
Distances: 27 and 77 miles
Jack & Adam’s Bicycles, Please BE KIND to Cyclists, the Round Rock Express, and High Five Events are pleased to announce the inaugural Round Rock Express Ride cycling event. This one-of-a-kind cycling event includes tickets to a minor league baseball game! The ride exists to promote health & fitness through cycling and to benefit the Please BE KIND to Cyclists non-profit organization.

The Red Poppy Ride
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Starts at Georgetown High School Annex, 2295 North Austin Avenue, Georgetown, TX
This ride is scheduled, but details are not yet up. Check the ride site for registration and details in the coming months. The Red Poppy Ride benefits the SERTOMA Scholarship Fund for Georgetown ISD as well as the Georgetown Police Department Impact Unit (Bike Patrol Unit). Last year’s course was 14, 30, 45, 62 or 100 miles on beautiful country roads through picturesque Williamson County.

BP MS 150
Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, 2011
Location TBA, Starts in Houston, end in Austin
Distance: 150 miles (75 miles/day)
Annual 2 day ride from Houston to Austin. Ride is 75 miles/day with Saturday rest stop provided. Rides raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. Registration is open. Route and start location details coming soon.

UPDATE: Easter Hill Country Tour
Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2011
Starts each day at Schreiner University, Kerrville, TX
Distances: Different each day varying from 19 to 105 miles.
The Austin Cycling Association invites you to the 38th Annual Easter Hill Country Tour. Experience the charm and hospitality of the Texas Hill Country and three days of the best riding Texas has to offer. Quiet, well-paved roads, challenging terrain and panoramic scenery have made the EHCT one of the premier cycling events in Texas. With no mass-starts, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, friendly cycling experience. All rides are fully-supported with rest stops and SAG vehicles. Join around 1,000 riders and see why the EHCT is an Easter weekend tradition.

Hill Country Ride for AIDS
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Starts at Krause Springs, TX 71 and Spur 191, Spicewood, TX
Distances: 13, 27, 45, 70, 100 miles
The Hill Country Ride for AIDS is an annual cycling event that rolls through beautiful central Texas.  Riders and volunteers raise money for life saving support for thousands of Central Texans living with HIV/AIDS.  It’s a Ride, not a race, all levels are welcomed and celebrated.  Our free training rides will help you prepare for any distance.  An orientation is MANDATORY for all first time riders. This is a Ride for the whole family, including special pricing for the kids.  We love the great people involved, they are who make the Ride such a huge success.  The 2011 Hill Country Ride Kick Off Party on January 13, 2011 at the Austin Music Hall.

Shiner GHASP Charity Bicycle Ride
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Starts at Met Center 10, 7709 E. Ben White, Austin, TX 78741
Distance: 100 miles
Join Central Texas cyclists for this traditional ride from Austin to the Shiner brewery. Cyclists will depart from Austin and ride 100 miles through small towns and scenic byways on the way to the historic Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. Rest Stops are located every 10-20 miles and will be stocked with food, power bar products, drink and cheering volunteers to keep your energy high. There will be port o potties and hand sanitizer at each stop.

Armadillo Hill Country Classic
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Starts at Liberty Hill High School, 13125 W Hwy 29, Liberty Hill, Tx 78642
This ride is scheduled, but details are not yet up. Check the ride site for registration and details in the coming months. Austin Cycling Association (ACA) is proud to host its 17th Annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic. Cycling enthusiasts of all ages, ride preferences and abilities are invited to pedal to provide bike safety education and free helmets for kids.  Previous years have offered distances from around 14 miles to 100 miles.

Real Ale Ride
Date and ride info coming soon (likely late May 2011)
Starts at Real Ale Brewery, Blanco, TX
This event should be happening this year but their site does not have a date, ride details, or registration yet. In the past couple years, the ride has been hosted and held at the Real Ale Brewery in Blanco. Last year’s distances were 15, 30, 50, 65 and 80 miles. Check the ride site for registration and details in the coming months.