Riders climbing Hwy. 227
Climbing Highway 229, Photographer: Chris Manning

2025 Wildflower Century

Date: May 3, 2025
Location: Creston, California

The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club invites you to join us at our 53rd annual Wildflower Century. We offer challenging 35, 50, 65 and 80 mile routes on quiet rural roads through oak woodlands, vineyards and ranch land in Paso Robles Wine Country. The event is limited to 1000 riders so register early to save money and ensure your place in this classic ride.

Our Century Events

The SLOBC’s Wildflower and Lighthouse Century bike rides are traditional club events. They are opportunities for individuals and groups to gather together to enjoy sharing a fully supported day of riding. They are not races, they are not timed and we do not provide any individual rider recognition, rewards or trophies.

Our rides are club financed, planned and staffed. We partner with community groups and organizations that we in turn support through donations. We have chosen not to have sponsors to maintain full control of our events.

Beyond the century rides, we support bicycle events, programs and groups and advocate for cycling throughout SLO County. Our goal is to enhance bicycling in our communities.

Wildflower Century Highlights

Ride beautiful rural roads
E-Bikes without throttles are welcome. Refer to E-Bike Specifications
Cue Sheets & Digital Route links
Rest Stops well stocked with good tasty food
Robust SAG support
Bike Mechanics at Start and Rest Stops
Enthusiastic and friendly volunteers
Post-Ride Meal that riders have rated as Excellent includes a choice of omnivore or vegetarian entrée and sides plus dessert and drinks.
- Local beer and wine for cash purchase
- Tickets are available at the meal for non-riders
Your registration fee supports our Donations to Bike SLO County, other local cycling organizations and programs as well as the communities and groups that support our rides.
Order your custom Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve Jerseys and Wind Vests during early registration. Ordered items will be mailed to you before the event. Jerseys are made locally by Voler: Why American Made Matters.

Image of Wildflower jersey design

Purchase custom Short Sleeve Jerseys and T-Shirts during Check-In while supplies last.
Short Sleeve Jerseys and T-Shirts from past events will be on sale during check-in.
Follow us on Instagram and use #slobcwildflowercentury and #slobc to see images from other riders and share your posts.
Riders can download full resolution event photos by Captivating Sports Photos for FREE after the event.

Riders climbing Huer Huero Road.
Climbing Huer Huero, Photographer: Greg Lozaga

Routes

This event is not for inexperienced riders or those who have not trained on roads with comparable profiles. All routes take riders through varied environments and include significant climbs – short does not mean easy. Please review the route maps before you register. We want you to be successful and enjoy the day.

The RWGPS files provide both plan and profile views of each route. Once opened, if you move your cursor along the profile, it will show the mileage, elevation and % grade at that point.
Note: Our RWGPS routes include access to files, that when sent to a Garmin or similar devise, can provide turn-by-turn navigation. Or, if you have a paid RWGPS account, opening our routes in the RWGPS app on your phone can provide turn-by-turn navigation.
Note: Ascent numbers shown in the chart below in parenthesis (e.g., 4800 ft.) are based on feedback from past riders.

2025 Routes	RWGPS	Route Slips
80 Mile Route (4800 ft)	80 Mile	80 Mile
65 Mile Route (3800 ft)	65 Mile	65 Mile
50 Mile Route (3200 ft.)	50 Mile	50 Miles
35 Mile Route (2300 ft)	35 Mile	35 Miles

Download the Wildflower Information (pdf) that provides an overview of the ride and the roads being used.

A Brief Description

All routes start and end at the elementary school in Creston. All routes head south from Creston on O'Dovovan Road for a flat five mile warm up. Riders then turn right onto Highway 58 and a 1.5 mile climb over the first hill before turning left onto Huer Huero Road.

Huer Huero Road may include several shallow water crossings spread over four sections of gradual climbing and three shorter steep climbs. Think of it as stair steps to reach the intersection with Parkhill Road.

Immediately after turning left onto Parkhill Road, 35 and 65 mile riders turn right onto Las Pilitas Road for an enjoyable descent to Pozo Road and then the Ancient Peaks Rest Stop.

After turning left onto Parkhill Road, 80 and 50 mile riders keep left on Parkhill Road that becomes Pozo Road and leads to the Pozo Rest Stop. After the stop, 80 and 50 mile riders continue on Pozo Road to the Ancient Peaks Rest Stop.

After the Rest Stop, all riders turn left onto Pozo Road until the intersection with Highway 58 where everyone turns right onto Highway 58. There are two climbs along 58 before you turn left onto Highway 229 for one last climb before a long gradual downhill into Creston.

Turning right onto O'Donovan Road in Creston will end the ride for the 35 and 50 mile riders. 80 and 65 mile riders will have a rest stop at Creston Elementary School before heading out for their second loop.

After the Creston Rest Stop the 80 and 65 mile riders, turn right onto Highway 229 to Highway 41 where they turn right across the bridge and then immediately right onto La Panza Road for a long gradual climb. From the high point La Panza descends to Highway 58 where riders turn left onto 58 and proceed to the Shell Creek intersection. Turn left onto Shell Creek Road and the Rest Stop. This is where the most beautiful display of wildflowers can be seen if we get appropriate rain.

After enjoying the flowers and rest stop, riders return to Highway 58 and turn right. Stay on Highway 58 and turn right onto O'Donovan Road back to Creston and the post-ride meal.

Three cyclist on Parkhill Road.
Parkhill Road, Photographer: Bruce Easton

Wildflower Safety

Approved helmets are required to be worn by all riders. NO HELMET, NO RIDE!
All minors must be accompanied by an adult
This event uses public roads and riders must abide by the California Driver’s Handbook - Section 7: “Laws and Rules of the Road”
All riders are expected to follow Safe Cycling Best Practices
Rear-view mirrors to monitor overtaking vehicles and cyclists are encouraged.
Portable audio devices using ear pieces are discouraged. (California law mandates that ear pieces be used in only one ear.)

Friday Spaghetti Feed

Come to Creston Friday night to check-in for the ride and load-up on carbs at the annual Spaghetti Feed put on by the community to benefit the Creston Women's Club Scholarship Fund.

Price: $15.00 (adults), $6.00 (children under 10) cash purchase at the door
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Creston Community Center
Meat and vegetarian spaghetti sauces!
Wine, Beer & Desserts available for purchase

Saturday Coffee & Hot Chocolate

The A-Town Water Polo Boosters are receiving a donation from the SLOBC for serving free coffee and hot chocolate at Creston Elementary School from 7:00 to 9:00 AM Saturday morning. There will also be some snacks available for cash purchase and an opportunity to donate to the water polo program.

Partners

These organizations and businesses partner with us to provide Volunteers, Places and Food, Supplies & Services to support the safety and enjoyment of our riders.