HISTORY. This ride has been around since the mid-1980s, traveling under a variety of names depending on sponsor: Labor Day Classic, the Labor Day Century, the Clarksville Labor Day Century, the Clarksville Century, The Silver Bullet Century, and the Free ’n’ Easy Bicycle Rally. Old-timers and bike-ride historians know it wasn’t always held on Labor Day weekend. Back in the eighties, it ran on the first weekend in June.

For the past few years, the ride has been sponsored by the Clarksville Sunrise Rotary Club, under the name of the "Sunrise Century" but incorporating a variety of shorter routes: metric, 49 miles, 21 miles, 25 miles, that have varied as we looked for the best combination of events.  Every year, the Sunrise club has worked to improve the ride.

Based on 2007 post-ride comments, club members elected to make the most major change in years in 2008: split the event between two dates, with two different names:

• The Labor Day Classic on the Saturday before Labor Day for 62-mile and 33-mile riders.

• The Sunrise Century three weeks later, for century riders only, with a separate start time and rolling support for elite riders.

The reasons were many: The belief that the continued growth of the combined century and metric century stressed riders and volunteers alike. A request for more parking for participants at Rossview High School. A desire for improved support at registration and at rest stops. Requests from our volunteers and century riders to spend more time with their families on Labor Day weekend. Afternoon heat in early September.

So why are we going back to a single date for all events in 2009?

Because most volunteers and riders decided they liked it the way it was before 2008. Riders liked being able to decide around 38 miles whether to go 100 miles or cut it short to 61 miles. The volunteers liked giving one day of their time and not two. Everyone seemed to like the general craziness of the fuller parking lots, seeing old friends, the mass rollouts. The Saturday before Labor Day IS the date for the Clarksville ride. So we admit it; we were wrong to split the ride dates. Everything will be on September 5, 2008: The century route, the 61-mile route, and the 32-mile route. The state times vary, depending on route.

The Sunrise Century. Fast. Really Fast.

A sub-four century (with a current course record of 3:44:55) gives us bragging rights to having the fastest hundred miles in the USA. We believe that’s really unique and special in the world of cycling.  Obviously, we are not limiting the century ride to elite riders. We will support those who seek an optimal time over 100 miles as well as riders who just want to enjoy the beautiful open country without the caveat of "a few challenging climbs."

Click HERE to learn more about the elite peloton from 2005.
Click HERE to learn more about the elite peloton from 2006.
Click HERE to learn more about the elite peloton from 2007. Watch the VIDEO.
Click HERE to learn more about the elite peloton from 2008. Watch the VIDEO. Click HERE for 2008 century timing chip results.

Regardless of the event we'll be there to support you.

All the good things you have come to expect from the Clarksville Sunrise Rotary Club’s sponsorship of a bike event will continue, along with improvements you have suggested. After five years of sponsoring this event, we believe we have a feel for what riders want and what riders need to be safe and still have a great time. We offer: sag coverage, multiple, well-spaced, well-stocked rest stops, EMT coverage, end of ride meal, massage services; shower and clean up facilities, timing clocks, timing chips for pre-registered riders on the 100-mile and 61-mile event, and door prizes. "Elite" peloton support will only occur for the 100-Mile event, however. Volunteers will bend over backward to keep riders safe, hydrated, and on course.

But we're also counting on you to do your part. On the day of the event, everyone will sign a legal waiver in order to ride. By signing, you PROMISE TO ABIDE BY “SUNRISE” RULES. They’re not burdensome or unreasonable, and we have to enforce them—for the sake of everyone’s safety and enjoyment and to maintain insurance coverage. Gee, we hate to be ride Nazis, but here's what we ask:

• Wear an approved helmet all the time. (Duh)

• Don't start the route early. (Our route Marshals will not know you are out there.)

• Stay on your assigned course.

• Obey all traffic laws.

• Be nice to your fellow riders.

• Be respectful of home and property owners along the way.