Cycling Marathons in the US

Finding the right cycling marathon in the US has gotten complicated with all the new events popping up every year. As someone who’s ridden in a good chunk of these — from scorching Texas centuries to week-long coast rides — I learned everything there is to know about which events are actually worth putting on your calendar. Today, I will share it all with you.

The cycling event scene in this country is honestly incredible. Whether you want a laid-back charity ride or something that’ll make you question every life decision you’ve ever made, there’s an event out there for you. Here are the ones worth knowing about.

RAGBRAI

RAGBRAI — the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa — is one of the oldest and most beloved cycling events in America, and for good reason. It’s a seven-day ride covering roughly 468 miles across Iowa, rolling through small towns where the entire community comes out to welcome you with food, music, and genuine Midwestern hospitality. It’s not a race at all, and that’s what makes RAGBRAI endearing to us cycling enthusiasts — it’s a giant rolling party on wheels. Over 10,000 riders show up every year, and the vibe is unlike anything else in the sport.

Tour de Tucson

Held annually in Tucson, Arizona, this one gives you multiple distance options from 25 to 100 miles. The desert scenery is stunning — we’re talking sweeping mountain vistas and wide-open desert landscapes that look like they belong in a movie. It benefits local charities and draws riders from around the globe who want to experience cycling in the American Southwest. The weather in November is usually perfect for riding, too.

California Coast Classic

Eight days, San Francisco to Los Angeles, over 525 miles along the California coastline. That’s the elevator pitch, and honestly, it sells itself. You ride through Big Sur, past Hearst Castle, and along some of the most photographed stretches of coastline on Earth. Participants raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation, so you’re suffering for a good cause. The combination of endurance, scenery, and charity makes this one of the premier multi-day rides in the country.

Hotter’N Hell Hundred

This one’s exactly what it sounds like. Wichita Falls, Texas. A century ride. In the summer. When it’s usually well over 100 degrees. It’s one of the largest single-day cycling events in the US, and the century is the marquee distance, though shorter options exist for those with better survival instincts. The community support is massive, and there’s a weird badge of honor that comes with finishing this thing. You’ll drink more water in one day than you thought humanly possible.

Gran Fondo New York

Starting right in Manhattan and heading up through the Hudson River Valley, this 100-mile route packs in steep climbs, competitive timing, and scenery that ranges from urban concrete to rolling countryside. It attracts everyone from weekend warriors to serious racers, and the fact that you’re starting in one of the world’s greatest cities adds a layer of excitement that most gran fondos can’t match.

Five Boro Bike Tour

Probably should have led with this section, honestly, because the Five Boro Bike Tour is the largest charitable bike ride in the entire country. Forty miles through all five boroughs of New York City, with the roads completely closed to traffic. You ride through Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, and through neighborhoods you’d never otherwise see on a bike. It’s not about speed or distance — it’s about experiencing NYC in a way that’s totally unique. Proceeds go to charity, and the energy is electric.

Seattle to Portland (STP)

Two hundred miles from Seattle to Portland over two days (or one, if you’re a maniac). Over 8,000 cyclists make this trek annually through a mix of urban corridors, rural farmland, and scenic river crossings. The logistical support is excellent, which makes it approachable even if you’ve never done a multi-day ride before. The Pacific Northwest scenery doesn’t hurt either.

Ride the Rockies

A seven-day tour through the Colorado Rockies covering 400-500 miles with serious elevation gains. You’re visiting small mountain towns, climbing passes that leave you gasping in the thin air, and taking in alpine scenery that’s absolutely world-class. This isn’t for the faint of heart — the altitude alone adds a whole extra layer of difficulty — but the payoff is some of the most spectacular riding in North America.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

Based in Durango, Colorado, this three-day event centers around a 50-mile race that reenacts the historic race between a bicycle and a train. You’ll climb over 6,700 feet, which is no joke, but the whole festival atmosphere around the event — with other races and activities — makes it feel like a celebration of cycling rather than just a sufferfest. Though it’s definitely also a sufferfest.

Tour of California

Modeled after European stage races, this professional event covers 700-800 miles over eight days through iconic California locations like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It’s primarily a pro race, but watching it (or riding the routes afterward) has inspired countless amateur cyclists to explore these same roads. The caliber of riding and the scenery are both world-class.

Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb

This one’s brutal, plain and simple. You’re racing up Mount Washington in New Hampshire — the highest peak in the Northeast — on a 7.6-mile road with an average gradient of 12% and sections that hit 22%. It’s considered one of the toughest hillclimbs on the planet. If you like the idea of your legs being on fire for 45 minutes to an hour straight, this is your event.

Levi’s Gran Fondo

Held in Santa Rosa, California, and named after pro cyclist Levi Leipheimer, this gran fondo offers multiple routes with the longest exceeding 100 miles of serious climbing through Sonoma wine country. You get challenging ascents followed by rolling vineyard roads, and the event supports local charities. Post-ride wine tasting is basically mandatory.

Cape Cod Getaway

A two-day, 150-mile ride from Quincy, Massachusetts, to Provincetown on Cape Cod, supporting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Rolling hills and classic New England scenery — lighthouses, ocean views, charming coastal towns. It’s a beautiful ride with a meaningful cause behind it.

MS Bike: City to Shore Ride

Philadelphia to Ocean City, New Jersey, over two days covering up to 175 miles. It raises funds for the National MS Society and is known for excellent community support along the route. The finish at the Jersey Shore feels well-earned, and the coastal views in the final stretch are a great reward after two days of pedaling.

AIDS/Lifecycle

Seven days, 545 miles, San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising funds for HIV/AIDS services. The coastal scenery is gorgeous, the pit stops are supportive, and the sense of community and purpose among riders is incredibly strong. This is one of those rides where the cause and the experience are so intertwined that they elevate each other.

El Tour de Mesa

Based in Mesa, Arizona, featuring a 100-mile century and shorter distance options. You ride through the Sonoran Desert with views of the Superstition Mountains, and proceeds benefit local non-profits. It’s a well-organized community event with scenery that’s uniquely Arizona.

Triple Bypass

One day. 120 miles. Three major Colorado mountain passes. 10,000 feet of total climbing. The Triple Bypass is exactly as intense as it sounds. The alpine scenery is absolutely stunning, and completing it feels like a genuine athletic achievement. If you’re an endurance cyclist looking for your next big challenge, put this on the short list.

The Death Ride

Officially the Tour of the California Alps, covering 129 miles with 15,000 feet of climbing over five Sierra Nevada mountain passes. The name tells you everything you need to know about the difficulty level. It’s one of the most grueling single-day rides in the US, and it attracts the kind of dedicated, slightly masochistic cyclists who consider 10,000 feet of climbing “a warmup.” Logistical support and scenery are both excellent, which is nice when you’re questioning your sanity at mile 80.

Boulder Ironman 70.3

The cycling segment is 56 miles of rolling hills and mountain scenery in Boulder, Colorado. It’s part of a triathlon format, but the bike course alone is worth noting for its beauty and challenge. Attracts both serious triathletes and cyclists who appreciate a well-designed course at altitude.

Crushar in the Tushar

Based in Beaver, Utah, this 70-mile race packs in 10,000 feet of climbing on a mix of paved roads and dirt tracks. It’s a gravel-style event that draws cyclists who enjoy both road and off-road terrain. The diverse surface conditions and relentless climbing make it a unique test of versatility and toughness.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Tour

An eight-day tour covering about 350 miles through Michigan’s gorgeous Upper Peninsula. State parks, Lake Superior shoreline, and small-town charm at a relaxed pace. This one’s less about hammering and more about soaking in some of the most underrated scenery in the Midwest.

Empire State Ride

Seven days, 540 miles from New York City to Niagara Falls, raising funds for cancer research. The route takes you through the full spectrum of New York State — from urban skyline to rolling countryside to historic landmarks to the thundering falls at the finish. It’s an incredible way to see the state while supporting a vital cause.

American cycling marathons do more than test your legs. They build real communities, raise serious money for charities, and take you through landscapes you’d never see from a car window. Every one of these events has its own personality and challenge level, so whether you’re looking to push your absolute limits or just enjoy a scenic ride with thousands of other cyclists, there’s something here for you. Pick one, sign up, and start training — your next great cycling adventure is waiting.