The Monster Cookie Metric Century bicycle ride turns 50 this year. Registration is open for the 50th annual edition, which takes place on Sunday April 26th. Monster Cookie Metric Century 2026
There are several wonderful large event rides like this in the area, but the Monster Cookie fills special roles in Willamette Valley cycling. With three route choices, riders can go for the 6.2 mile mini-cookie, the 34-mile half-cookie, or go for the full Monster Cookie, which is 62.6 miles with 1400 feet of climbing all the way from Keizer to Mt Angel and back. The full cookie includes the optional challenging climb up the beautiful Mt Angel Abbey to take in panoramic views of the Willamette Valley and Cascade mountains.
The majority of the route is on calm, low traffic, country roads. For the third year, it starts in Keizer and may go out as far as Silverton and Mt Angel depending on your route choice. This year, the metric century and the half-cookie routes both go through the Capitol for the first time in several years. Now that the exterior of the Capitol is whole again, it should make for a great photo stop.
The ride is the first area event ride of the spring cycling season, so it is a kick-start to getting on your bike again. It is fully supported with rest stops every 15-20 miles or so with water and snacks and special treats like pie and coffee. A full lunch is now included in the registration for the metric century riders. And of course, cookies for everyone!
There are four volunteer Sag drivers following riders on the route in case you need help. There are also bike mechanics at most of the stops. There are special commemorative t-shirts and jerseys for sale to remember the 50th. This year, Safe Routes to School and Scott’s Cycle are sponsoring the mini-cookie ride so it is free for all participants. After the Mini-Cookie ride, they are also hosting a free bike rodeo for all the kids.
Salem Bicycle Club has only one major fund-raising event per year and this is it. The club uses most of the money they raise to give back to the community by supporting important programs like Salem-Keizer’s Safe Routes to School program. This program brings bicycle education to hundreds of Salem-Keizer students every year. Many of these students learn to ride a bike for the first time because of this important program. In addition, this year we are supporting the McNary High School Culinary team by engaging them to provide our lunches, coffee, breakfast items and to bake, from scratch, the original Monster Cookie recipe for all our riders.
So, kick off your spring cycling on April 26th. Loosen up your legs and join hundreds of riders in Salem, Keizer, and other local communities that we all love to ride in. Discounted Pre-Registration is open until 4/22 on line. If you want to avoid lines on the day of the event, check in or register and get your wristband at Scott’s Cycle from 11 AM - 2 PM on Saturday April 25th. Event merchandise and any last minute supplies you might need will be for sale at Scott’s as well. Check in at Scotts Cycle 4.25.26 (Directions and Time)