Century Ride

This is the ride for which the Santa Fe Century is named and famed! It is designed for the amateur citizen rider, as well as the fast rider, who is in good shape and has trained for the event. These riders look at the ride as a challenge both in distance and elevation changes. It is a mental as well as a physical challenge. Riders must obey all traffic laws as roads will remain open to cars throughout the route. This includes stopping at traffic lights and stops signs unless being waved through by police during the escorted start.

Finishers in every category will receive a commemorative finisher’s medal, earn yours!

The Route

From the Railyard, City of Santa Fe Police will guide riders out of town in a mass start style at 7am,  heading east on Paseo de Peralta then turning right onto Old Santa Fe Trail. From Old Santa Fe Trail the route makes its way to Rabbit Rd. and to NM HWY 14. Once on HWY 14, pass Lone Butte and the Garden of the Gods, and ride through the Galisteo River Valley and the town of Cerrillos. The seven mile ascent through the Ortiz mountains is the longest of the ride. Continue the ascent to the top of Stagecoach Pass, and enjoy the downhill into the old mining town of Golden. Turn left onto NM 344 and take a break at the Heartbreak Hill hydration stop before the climb that earned its name! There’s no disgrace in walking this hill! Roll into the Cedar Grove food stop. After Cedar Grove, enjoy twenty two miles of flats. Turn left at NM 472 for a straight shot to the intersection with NM 41 and the Stanley food stop. Enjoy some rollers before the Galisteo food stop. Turn left on US Highway 285 and start your climb back into Santa Fe. The last food stop is in the Cafe Fina parking lot at the intersection of HWY 285 and Old Las Vegas HWY. Total elevation gain on the route is 5,628 feet.

The Finish

From HWY 285, riders will head north on Old Las Vegas Hwy and turn right on Old Pecos Trail at the traffic light and then make another right a mile later to stay on Old Pecos Trail. Old Pecos Trail will bring riders into town (eventually turning into Old Santa Fe Trail) where it intersects with Paseo de Peralta. When riders turn left onto Paseo de Peralta they may use the entire right lane, which will be closed to cars all the way into the Railyard. For this 2025 edition, the finish line will be located in the park. After crossing S Guadalupe St, riders will need to make a left U-turn and then a right turn into the ramp to get on the red bike path, just on the side of the SITE Santa Fe building.

Parking
Free parking is available 0.7 miles from the start/finish line at the Joseph M. Montoya and Harold L. Runnels buildings parking lot. The parking lot is located between Cordova Rd. and Alta Vista St. near the South Capital Railrunner station. There is also street parking and a parking garage in the Railyard.

To Be Timed, or Not to Be Timed
The Century and the Gran Fondo follow the same course. Century riders are not timed while Gran Fondo riders are timed and their results recorded. If you wish to ride 100 miles and receive a finishing time and be in the results, please register for the Gran Fondo.

Start Time
The Century riders have the option to launch in a group or by themselves. We strongly recommend to join the group start at 7:00am, riding out behind the timed Gran Fondo riders. This is a great way to kick off your ride with the fun and energy of other riders in a safe, escorted group! A police escort in front and behind the entire group of riders will slowly lead the riders for 11 miles until just after the intersection of NM 599 and NM 14. At that point, the escort will pull over and everyone is free to go at their own pace. If you choose not to participate in the 7:00am rollout, please be aware that a group launch will be taking place at that time and plan accordingly.

Gear and Equipment
Each rider needs a multiple gear bike with a low gear for hill climbing in good mechanical condition. A bicycle tune up prior to the event is highly recommended.

Helmets meeting CPSC standards are mandatory. In addition, each cyclist must carry a spare tube, a patch kit, pump or CO2 cartridges and basic tools. This ride is heavily supported with six Food/Hydration Stops. However, each rider should carry extra water.

Food Stops
There are 6 Food Stops with snacks, fresh fruit, energy drinks, water and more.
Turquoise Trail Fire Department – 15 miles
Heartbreak Hill – 34 miles (Water/Sports drinks only)
Cedar Grove – 45 miles
Stanley – 57 miles
Galisteo – 75 miles
Eldorado – 88 miles

Photographs
Rider photos will be taken on HWY 285 just before Lamy Hill.

Registration Fee 
August – November / $67
December – January / $77
February – May  / $87
Onsite registration May 16th – 18th /  $97