Best Road Cycling Events in California 2023
Updated Nov 6, 2022
The team at Strambecco rates the top road cycling events in California for 2023 based on various factors, including reputation, route quality, location, rider feedback, and the overall uniqueness of the event or race. California offers an array of event options spanning high alpine, old-growth forests, coastal (the famed Highway 1), desert, and everything in between. Strambecco does not cover every event, only those we deem the best. Our recommendations are bucket list events by themselves and almost always take place at a high-quality destination that offers a great opportunity for a longer getaway.
If we had to pick the best, we’d recommend Levi’s Gran Fondo in April and the Tour of CA Alps, also known as the Death Ride, in July. We also strongly correlate the best events and professional event producers. In California, premiere event producers include Monuments of Cycling, Bike Monkey, Grasshopper, and Gran Fondo National Series.
Strambecco does not list every event. We strive to identify and review events that are special and noteworthy. If you have suggestions on other events we should consider or review, please get in touch with us here or send us a note at editors@strambecco.com.
The Sea Otter Classic, produced by Life Time Events, is a classic and the largest festival and gathering of cycling enthusiasts in North America. Professional and amateur athletes make the annual pilgrimage…
Levi’s (King Ridge) Gran Fondo is one of the best Gran Fondo’s world over, let alone in America or California. The event’s namesake is former world tour pro rider Levi Leipheimer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levi_Leipheimer. …
The Death Ride started in 1978 when five guys decided to cycle the California Alps in one day, with just the support of friends and family following along in a vehicle. The…
Southern California’s annual Tour de Big Bear ride starts and finishes at Bear Mountain Resort, including the Big Bear Cycling Expo. Rated by Strambecco as one of the best road cycling events in…
Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation presents Mammoth Gran Fondo, a fun and challenging event that offers three courses for various levels of road cyclists that starts at 8,074 ft elevation, covers 102 miles,…
Former UCI Pro Yens Voigt is teaming with the Gran Fondo National Series to produce the annual Jensie Gran Fondo. The event returns to Novato, CA, for a start/finish at Stafford Lake…
Valley Spokesmen Bicycling Club is celebrating the 40th annual Mt Diablo Challenge, an 11.2-mile ride that climbs to the summit of Mount Diablo, one of the highest peaks in the Bay Area.…