Flying Wheels Summer Century
Cascade Bicycle Club's beloved 100-mile summer century from Seattle, a rite of passage for Pacific Northwest road cyclists with routes for all abilities.
The vibe
The century that kicks off summer
Flying Wheels is the unofficial start of riding season for a lot of Seattle cyclists. Held on Memorial Day weekend, this Cascade Bicycle Club classic sends thousands of riders out into the hills east of Seattle for a 100-mile loop that earns its name — the terrain rewards riders who’ve put in their spring miles, with enough elevation to make the accomplishment feel real.
It’s one of those events that draws a real range of riders: seasoned century veterans who treat it as a training benchmark, newer riders tackling their first full hundred miles, and plenty of people in between. The organized format means well-stocked rest stops, mechanical support, and marked routes, which takes the logistics stress out of the day and lets you just focus on riding.
The timing — late May, Pacific Northwest greenery at its best — makes this one of the more scenic day rides on the calendar. Finish lines at Cascade events tend to have a celebratory, relaxed energy, and Flying Wheels is no exception. It’s a good reason to be in the saddle at dawn on a Saturday in late May.