Peach of a Century (Salem)

Pre-registration for the 2010 Peach of a Century is now open. The pre-registration fee is $15 for adults and $6 for minors under 16 accompanied by an adult. The deadline for online registrations is September 19. Registrations sent by mail must be postmarked by September 17.

The Peach of a Century is the last of the event rides hosted annually by the Salem Bicycle Club. The ride is open to all bicyclists who agree to share the road with other users by riding safely, lawfully and courteously. The Peach of a Century is not a race and will proceed rain or shine. The continuous use of an ANSI or SNELL approved helmet is required.

The ride includes a Full Century Route (100 miles), a Metric Century Route (62 miles), and a 75-mile route. Each route starts and ends at Chemeketa Community College. The Full Century route is challenging with some steep hills. The Metric Century and 75-mile routes offer flat to rolling terrain with some moderate hills. The routes follow low-volume roads past the farm fields of the Willamette Valley, through forested foothills and rural communities east of Salem.

There are three rest stops on the 100-mile route and two on the 62- and 75-mile routes. All rest stops have food, water, sports drinks, restrooms and the friendly volunteers of the Capitol Kiwanis Club. The weather is typically mild to warm in the late fall, although we have seen a little rain in past events. Bring extra layers just in case. The 100-mile route goes through Jefferson, Scio, Stayton, Sublimity and Silverton. The Metric Century route visits Jefferson and Stayton. The 75-mile route visits Jefferson, Scio and Stayton. All riders must finish by 6:00 p.m. A SAG vehicle will sweep both courses at day’s end.

Almost 1,000 cyclists participated in the 2009 Peach of a Century.