Seagull Century: Disappointment

[Cyclesome]

I am a wimp!!! My husband and I, along with another couple, went to Ocean City area to ride in the Seagull Century. We had trained all summer and had completed a metric century as well as a half century. Just our luck, an October Noreaster hit the Maryland coast Thursday through Saturday. When we arrrived at our hotel Friday night, gust of 60 mph were evident, it was raining as well. The coastal area had received 4 inches of rain on Friday with additional rain expected on Saturday. The National Weather Center had issued wind advisories, more rain, coastal flooding, cool temperatures: low to mid 50's. It was a mess!

Saturday morning, decision time. We ventured to the town of Salisbury,the start of the ride. Once again, it was raining and windy, even though the gale force winds had been downgraded to 30 - 35 mph. IMO the weather was just plain miserable! I really wanted to complete a century this year, but I also wanted to enjoy completing the century. My groups' consenses was not to ride in the the Seagull Century this year.

The next day, Sunday, we rode our bikes 31 miles north on the Coastal Highway and Route One from Ocean City toward Rehobeth beach. It was still a bit windy, but a very enjoyable ride. Despite the weather and not riding in the Seagull Century, we did enjoy our time at Ocean City.

I feel disappointed. I know LLB, Regina, Juju, Mickchick, Megandmac, and latelatebloomer were also plalnning on riding in this event. Did you ride in the Seagull Century on Saturday? How was it?

Thanks for listenening.

[Bad JuJu]

I'm so sorry you didn't get to do your century--all that preparation. But at least you had that nice ride the next day.

I wanted to ride the Seagull, but wasn't able to find the time to make the trip north (I live in the Florida panhandle). Just as well, I guess, considering how the weather turned out to be. My local bike club's century is two weeks away, and the weather lately has been absolutely delicious--hope it stays this way for our century!

Better luck next time, Cyclesome!

[latelatebloomer]

Cyclesome, I wouldn't kick myself too hard if I were you. We made it as far as Assateague to call it a metric century, but it was more out of a spirit of grim determination, not a lot of fun. I worked for years on an organic farm, and am kind of used to the idea of being out all day in bad weather. Am I glad I tried? Yes. Maybe it'll make the next event seem easier - plus, I have a whole "moral support crew" of brain-injured clients back in PA I have to face on Wednesday. I know some of them are going to give me a really hard time for bailing out....:rolleyes:

Smarter, maybe, to have skipped riding in a nor'easter and have a nice ride on a beautiful Sunday that was just made for riding! (I was stuck in a car headed home...yuck!)

[emily_in_nc]

Don't feel bad...I think you did the right thing in not doing the Seagull. It would have been pretty miserable. My DH and I did it in 2003, and although we did finish the full century (on a tandem), it rained for the second 50 miles, and the wind was brutal. The rest stop at Assateague was awful -- wind blowing hard, mud everywhere, pouring rain. We were so cold in the last 30 miles or so, my husband's lips were turning blue! At the last rest stop, someone was giving out coffee (or hot chocolate, can't recall now), and that's what we had, to try to warm our bones -- we stupidly had believed the Weather Channel's forecast of no rain until 3 pm (it actually started around 11 am, as I recall), and didn't bring warm enough clothes so were stuck wearing short-sleeve jerseys and shorts.

When we finished, the beer guy (thank god for the beer guy!!) told me that it rains nearly every year at this event. I guess it's pretty common to get a nor'easter in early October in coastal Maryland. Maybe they should move the event back a month.

So, perhaps next year will be better, but based on beer guy's assessment, don't count on it!

Emily

[Bikingmomof3]

Oh I am sorry the weather was so brutal. It does indeed sound as though you made a good decision. I am glad to know you enjoyed your ride on Sunday. :)

[wannaduacentury]

I'm sorry the weather messed up your ride. I would have been miserable physically and in spirit riding in that kind of weather. Good point to move the event back a month to fairer weather since it's known to be a rain event. Hugs to you for trying regardless. Jennifer

[megandmac]

Don't feel bad about it, think of all that great training you've been doing and keep moving forward on the momentum. Honestly, it took everything I could muster to gear up and pull the bike off the car in that morning.

I bailed out from doing it last year because of the heavy rain but, you know, that made me even more determined to show up and do it this year. I am glad that I had the extra year of training and getting excited for it. (And, glad for my new waterproof socks!)

So...I ended up doing the full century but was miserable the first half of it because of the strong head wind and nearly teetered over the bridge prior to the lunch rest stop.

I'm also glad to report that the piece of sand that blew into my eye on Saturday *finally* went away yesterday. (See, you missed being sandblasted which wasn't fun at all!)

I'm looking forward to next year...rain or shine...but, I can really do without the wind!!!

[7rider]

I'm sorry, Cyclesome that you didn't do the ride. There's always next year.
I did finish it and yes, it was slow and brutal. The wind going onto Assateague was just unbelievable. Our poor bikes were totally sandblasted.
Last year, DH and I attempted the ride during Tropical Storm Tammy. Although this year had less rain, it had more wind and was colder, so in many ways, this year was worse than last year. Someone I spoke to last year said it rained 4 of the last 5 times he tried it. I did the ride in 2000 and it was sunny, mild and gorgeous! I guess that was the only time he rode where it didn't rain and I got a skewed view from my first attempt.
DH stopped at REI on Thursday evening and picked up a rain jacket and rain pants for himself. It really was helpful on the ride (I had picked up some last year for it, and we both had helmet covers). I think if you're wearing the right clothes, it can be tolerable -- as Emily reminds us, cold and wet are horrible. Of course, the wind never helps. :mad:
Here's a picture of me at Assateague (making a funny face, I was probably barking out instructions to my DH on how to use the camera....he never uses it!). Notice, I'm totally bundled up....including long fingered gloves.
Take heart, folks! Next year will be awesome! Sunny, mild, calm!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Cyclesome,
I sure would have made the same decision that you did!

[bikerchick21]

Regina,,its so funny looking at your picture((DRY)),,surly it was taken at the beginning,,I dont remember at all being dry that day!!!
My hubby and I got into town the night before,,had no trouble at all finding a great hotel filled (which should have been our first "signal",,since I had goggled hotels all week long,,,and they were all booked!!!) The morning of the ride,,I looked out our warm comfy hotel room,,and felt like I was in Vermont,,watching it snow,,could it actually be raining that hard???!!! Had it not been for all the other bikers there,,who although spirits were low, due to the crapy weather,,,I swear,,we would have made a quick stop to see the ponies,,and high tailed it out of there back to Jersey,,where by the way,,,had a dry great day!!!
I dont know if we'll do this ride again,,Im sure had the weather been great we would have completed the full century,,but as cold,wet and sandy as we were,,we had no trouble at all,,uncrunching a wet 20$ dollar bill,,for a cold beer...aaahhh always finding the rainbow!!!

[7rider]

[QUOTE=bikerchick21;132399]Regina,,its so funny looking at your picture((DRY)),,surly it was taken at the beginning,,I dont remember at all being dry that day!!!
QUOTE]

Nope - that picture was taken at Assateague Island - mile 63 - and I was pretty wet at that point - the rain gear made it tolerable, but not completely dry. But, you can only get soaking wet. I'm standing not far from that little Sika deer who was mooching cranberry bread off of riders (Mmmmm, sand covered bread! Extra crunchy! :p ). I'm also resting (and holding) my arm on the fence as it was hurting pretty badly by that point (neck issues).
I guess I'm too stubborn (or stupid?) to say "no" in the face of rain. (or maybe it's cheap - hey we paid for the priviledge of this ride!) Would I ride in conditions like that at home? Heck no. It's pack mentality. Everyone else is going, why shouldn't we? Answer: Because the smart people are back in their warm dry hotel rooms.
I'll be back next year. If nothing else, it gives DH and me an excuse to get away for the weekend. I really hope it's nice and that Cyclesome and everyone else is there to enjoy a ride that - when it's nice, can be awesome!

[kerrybelle]

Due to lack of planning on our part, we had decided not to register for the Seagull Century. After reading all your posts, I'm glad we didn't. Kudo's to all that made the ride though.

Kerry

[Velobambina]

My husband and I decided not to do the ride, either. I'm glad because according to some of the guys at work who rode, the blowing sand did a real number on their chains/cassettes/derailleurs and also screwed up their ability to clip in and out. These are some hard core riders, too. I might do the Amish Metric in Delaware instead of signing up for the Seagull next year. This is the second straight year that I missed it due to bad weather.

[Rakekay]

>>>>I really wanted to complete a century this year, but I also wanted to enjoy completing the century. My groups' consenses was not to ride in the the Seagull Century this year. >>>

It's not too late to still do a century this year. I spent all last summer training for the Seagull and then canceled at the last minute due to horrid weather. But, I found the CBES (Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore) just two weeks later and did that one instead. It was great! Good weather, not too crowded, wonderful people. It was a great experience. I strongly encourage you to consider it for this year since you've already trained.

It's Oct. 28 on the Eastern Shore.
http://www.cbes.org/events_biketour.htm

[Cyclesome]

If my schedule weren't already filled that weekend, that would be a great idea. Around here, in Western Pa, organized rides end in October. Sad:( But the weather is aready beginning to remind me of the PA winter to come. Ugh!

[divingbiker]

I have been thinking about doing the CBES century on October 29, but I've got a very sick dog so I really don't want to have to go down the night before and spend the night. Is it possible to drive there from the DC suburbs, do the ride, and drive back, or is that too much for one day?

[Lab lover]

I signed up months before for the Cape Henlopen triathlon. My friends and I do a girls weekend every year. One of the girls wanted to do the Seagull while we were down there. I decided to do it also to help keep her company, even though the tri was the next day. The Seagull was MISERABLE in my opinion. (only due to weather). It was very well run and so forth. The wind and rain were just no fun. Quickly, after the end, I had to get up to cape henlopen to pick up my race packet for the tri. I took one look at the Ocean (crazy ocean) and I told the race director to change me to the duathlon. (This was by back up plan if the ocean was scary looking.) The next day, 30 minutes before race start, the whole competition was changed to a duathlon. The race director said the people signed up in advance for the du would start in the first group. I started with these fabulous athletic runners. They kept up a really fast pace. I fed off of that. I really cranked on the bike and had some left for the second run. Long story short, I got age group first place. I went from Misery Saturday to joy Sunday. Good to have a back-up plan.

[latelatebloomer]

Great story and good advice that I will keep in mind. CONGRATS on that first!!

[Velobambina]

LabLover---Cape Henlopen is beautiful (much better than the more touristy areas of the DE shore). I didn't realize there was a triathalon there! I'll have to check it out, as I'm contemplating doing my first next year. CONGRATS to you, by the way---that's incredible!!