104 miles with 7,100 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Counties Visited:
San Luis Obispo County
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Cities/Towns Visited:
Paso Robles, Templeton, Cambria, and San Simeon
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Climbs:
Mile 37 (cat. 4), 41 (cat. 4), and 81 (cat. 2)
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Stops:
Mile 29 (Templeton), 57 (Cambria), and 89
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Description:
The Great Western Bicycle Rally is a celebration of cycling that is held every Memorial Day Weekend in Paso Robles, dating back to 1965. The rally offers many events, including a best of bicycle show, track stand contest, wine and cheese tasting party, and more. It also offers competitions like a hill climb, time trial, and ultra distance challenge, as well as multiple rides, ranging from a few miles in length to a century (different route from year to year).
The 2009 GWBR Century, also known as San Simeon Century, is a great ride through varied terrain. It starts in Paso Robles and loops out into the country near Creston and through Templeton, before heading towards the coast on Highway 46. Two detours lead through vineyards, the first on Jack Creek Road and the second on York Mountain Road.
Highway 46 eventually descends to Highway 1, which leads into Cambria. The course then continues along the coast to San Simeon, primarily known as the home of Hearst Castle. Here the route turns around and leads back on Highway 1, before climbing Highway 46 and rolling back into Paso Robles.
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Pictures:
[York Mountain Road]
[Cambria]
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Personal Notes:
Sandra, Lisa, and I had a fun weekend. Paso Robles is always a favorite destination, and combined with a fine cycling event even more so.
We arrived on Saturday and visited the local arts festival, before attending the rally's social event in the evening. On Sunday, we rode the century. About halfway through the ride, my right shifter cable broke, forcing me to use a big gear on the climbs. On Monday, we went wine tasting and visited Morro Bay on our way back home.
Great Western Bicycle Rally - Century - Current Weather:
