Annual bicycle tours and festivals in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Most events listed here are non-profit and are open to all cyclists. For officially-sanctioned racing events, check the cycling organizations such as NORBA and US Cycling.
Southern US Annual Bike Events
Date
Event, Location, Distance
Mid-Feb
Suwannee Sweetheart Century, White Springs, FL
27, 50, 64 and 100 mile options through Lake City and rural Columbia County on scenic back roads. Entry fee: $15 (2004) includes simple breakfast and after ride dinner
Late March
Clean Air Bike Ride, Brooksville, FL 12, 20, 48 or 100 miles
hosted by Tampa Cycle on the Withlacoochee State Trail with proceeds to the American Lung Association
Late March
Black Bear Bicycle Bash, Townsend, TN
Choice of four rides ranging from the 11-miles up to 62 miles (metric century), Saturday evening celebration at Maple Leaf Lodge includes bluegrass, beer and barbeque, $35 (2006) includes t-shirt and party.
Early April
Bike Florida 400 miles
A six-day ride across central Florida of up to 100 miles per day, $205 (2005)
Early April
Tour of Springtime Rural Vistas South 126/200 miles
A two-day ride over the rural back roads of North Florida and South Georgia, $68 (2005) includes food, sag and t-shirt
Randonnée Écrevisse Lafayette, LA
Weekend of bicycling in Southwest Louisiana's Cajun Country hosted by the Cajun Cyclists Bicycle Club, $30 (2005)
Late April
Suwannee Bicycle & Adventure Fest, Live Oak, FL
Four-day event includes food and free camping at Suwannee County Fairgrounds, evening entertainment, road tours, guided mountain bike rides, tubing trips, moon-light canoe trips. Entry fee: $95 (2004)
Mid May
SORBA Helen Fat Tire Festival Unicoi State Park
Multiple Rides-Races-Activities for kids and adults. Proceeds to benefit SORBA's Trips For Kids, Safe Kids Coalition-Georgia-White County, and mtn bike trail development, $15 entry fee + $30 race fee (2005).
Mid May
Jekyll Island Challenge Savannah, GA
Weekend cycling event: 17 miles Saturday and 50-100 mile poker ride on Sunday, $35 (2005)
Late May
Choo Choo Challenge Chattanooga
2-day cycling event; 185 miles; individual or relay (up to nine riders); fully supported. Registration $100 plus $500 in fundraising (proceeds to go to Cancer resources)
Mid May
Tour De Lake LaGrange, GA
Choice of 25, 50, or 100 mile rides around West Point Lake, $30/35 (2005)
Late May
Jim Kruse Century Statesboro, GA
Two days of riding: choice of 25, 50, 65 and 100 mile options on Saturday, 45/65 miles on Sunday, benefits the Silver Lining Club of Statesboro, $25 (2005)
Fletcher Flyer Fletcher, NC
Full, metric and half century rides that wind through the valleys of Western North Carolina, hosted by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, $25 (2005)
Bicycle Ride Across Georgia 380 miles
One-week tour across the state covering 60-75 miles per day, the route changes each year, $180 includes camping (2005)
Late June
Cartersville Century Cartersville, GA
Ride options of 35-100 miles in north Georgia, benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Bartow County, $25 (2005)
Late June
Blood, Sweat and Gears Boone, NC
Ride options of 50 miles (5,800 foot climb) or 100 miles with over 13,000 feet of total gain, hence it was Lance Armstrong's favorite training ground. (2005)
Late Aug
Hilly Hellacious Hundred Fletcher, NC
Family rides and full (8035 feet of cumulative climbing) and metric century rides that wind through the hills of Western North Carolina, hosted by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, $35 (2005)
Early Sept
Historic Savannah Bikefest, Savannah, GA
Two-day event: Saturday fun rides and on Sunday a choice of 25- to 100-mile routes (2005)
Mid-Sept
Pecan City Pedalers' Nut Roll, Albany, GA
Choice of 30- to 100-mile rides, mostly flat with a few gentle hills, fully supported and clearly marked, $20/25 includes shirt and lunch (2005)
Crescent City Century Mandeville, LA
Hosted by the Crescent City Cyslists on the Tammdany Trace rail-trail, $25 (2004)
Early Oct
WTCPA Scenic Century Bike Ride, Jackson, TN
Choice of 16, 42, 62, and 100 mile rides organized by the Jackson Cotillion Club to benefit the West Tennessee Cerebral Palsy Association, $25 includes t-shirt, marked route, full SAG support, lunch (2005)
Early Oct
Georgia BikeFest
3-day weekend with a choice of tours from 8 to 100 miles a day, $40 (2002)
Early Oct
Cajun Challenge, Lafayette, LA
Choice of 15 to 100 mile options, proceeds go to Therapy Services for Children with Disabilities, $20 + donations (2005)
Early Nov
Fat-Tire Festival, White Springs, FL
Weekend mountain biking event includes all meals and camping at Stephen Foster State Park, evening entertainment, and guided tours for all skill levels. Entry fee: $85 (2004)
Late Nov
Jambalaya Tour, Clinton, LA
Three-day weekend of rides from 25 to 75 miles in length, hosted by the Baton Rouge Bicycle Club, $85 (2004)
