There are a hundred reasons why hundreds of bicyclists of all ages and skill levels will ride in the 19th annual North Shore Century on Sunday, Sept. 21. Each mile is a delightful blend of easy riding and terrific viewing.

Billed as the "Last Ride of Summer," the day's main event is a 100-miler from Evanston's Dawes Park north to the Kenosha Velodrome, just over the Wisconsin border, and back. The ride also includes shorter options: A 62-mile "metric century," as well as trips of 50, 25, and 8 miles. The 8-mile ride in particular is family-friendly, rolling through quiet neighborhoods with smooth paths, reduced car traffic, and a discounted fee for families that choose to ride together.

Organized and run by the Evanston Bicycle Club, the rides showcase the beauty, architecture and breathtaking views of Chicago's North Shore.

"Once you get started, even in Evanston, it's very scenic" event chair Ben Schapiro said. "A little farther out you're semi-rural, and once you get into the northernmost suburbs you can even smell the occasional cow."

While the ride isn't intended as a race and there are no official times given, several elite cyclists try to finish in the four-hour range. Cyclists are allowed 12 hours to finish their rides. Most are content to bike at a leisurely pace, stopping at the frequent rest areas and enjoying the scenic views.

"If you're not used to the distance, it can really cause some sore muscles, and a sore rear end," said club member Dave Skogley, who has ridden the Century once before and has done the course "preview"--riding through the full course to check for safety, access points, and course markings ahead of the event--several times. "But it's an ideal ride for someone doing a century for the first time. It's flat, and the views going south along the lakefront are spectacular."

The North Shore Century enlists an army of volunteers on ride day, doing everything from pre-ride safety checks to patrolling the course for broken-down riders to handing out food and drink at rest stops.

"It's great to be supportive of other bicyclists," said Beverly Arends, president of the Evanston Bicycle Club in 2001-2002 and a nine-year event volunteer. "It's always a lot of fun, and everybody's really friendly--both the bicyclists and our fellow volunteers."

In its first year, the North Shore Century drew 84 riders, but has expanded to more than 1,000 the last few years.

"The ride really has caught on in recent years," Schapiro said. "As long as the weather cooperates, I think we can count on another good crowd this year." Registration is capped at 1,600 riders. About 35 percent of the participants typically make the 100-mile trek, while the rest opt for the shorter distances.

The event begins at Dawes Park, Church St. and Lake Michigan in Evanston. 100-mile riders must check in by 9 a.m.; those who choose the shorter options may check in until 11 a.m. The registration fee is $20, a portion of which will be donated to bicycling-related charities. For more information, call 847-866-7743 or go to www.evanstonbikeclub.org/nsc.

Chris Serb is a Chicago-based freelance writer.