Century nears!!

[SadieKate]

Hotel shower caps.

[latelatebloomer]

Sk, you're a lifesaver.

[bikerchick227]

I'm dying to know...how did it go yesterday? That was a TOUGH ride with all that wind and rain. Any mileage seems like amazing mileage to me. I thought of you all during the ride and wished you well.

We left pretty late (10:05) so we were being from the get-go. Strange conditions out at Assateague. When we were there it was so windy! I was very concerned that we were going to blow off the bridge.

Anyway, I hope you will let us know how things went!!

[megandmac]

I survived! The lack of hills was made up by the powerful wind that felt like I was pushing into a brick wall. (Towards the middle of the ride, it was so bad I could only muster about 9 miles/hour for about a 1/2 hour...didn't think I was ever going to break out of that pace. Everyone was passing me...) Nearly got knocked into the rails of the bridge (as well as the people that stopped at the top in a very dangerous place.) After (a very windy) lunch, I felt re-energized as I remembered to "break-up" the ride in my head. ("Less than a quick "weekend ride" to the pie rest stop then a "weekday night ride" to the end....")

I've been doing mostly hilly rides this season so this ride felt completely different with all.that.pedalling.constantly with no coasting or break at all. Wow.

We experienced one front flat (mine around mile 50) and one broken spoke (his at mile 89. It wiggled but made the wheel made it all the way to the end.)

I would certainly do it again and I feel like I earned bonus points for braving the rain and wind. (However, next year, *please* let the sun be shining!)

Congrats to everyone that finished the ride and, even, congrats to those that went out there and braved the weather (even if you didn't finish the full amount you wanted to) those were some pretty bad conditions out there early in the ride.

[latelatebloomer]

I tried, I really tried. But I didn't make my century...YET. The wind made my toughest, longest ride so far. The woman who drove the SAG wagon (loaded to the gills!) said the storm was declared the first nor'easter of the season and the winds were 40 mph & over by the time we hit the causeway bridge. Even walking it was a struggle, and the wind tore off C's helmet visor and threw it in the drink. On the island road, the wind was blowing so hard our bikes were really slanting in to the wind, and with the sand under my tires & the traffic whizzing by, I knew I had come to the end of my energy, courage and skill.

I did feel better when I learned that half the registered riders never showed. I was hoping for more camaraderie, but the pacelines blew by (lord, I really did feel like I was standing still) and the few other slower riders were all grimly pressing on, same as me.

I haven't checked the math, but I think making to the island might at least give me a metric century. And I'll train all winter to be a little more like those smiling chipper women who zipped on by. (and hey, not all of them were young, or thin!)

still relentless, LLB

ps - a big thankyou hug to ALL of you who have advised and encouraged me. And a special thank you to Trekhawk, who offered to be my century training partner. She has been a great cheerleader and cyber-shoulder, and perhaps most importantly, sent me a decent seat. Thanks, Leslie!

[bikerchick227]

Yes, getting out to Assateague was definitely metric century. I think it was mile 65 or so for us, though we had to go back at the second pit to fix a flat. Since that pit was so far down the lane, that added a little bit to our mileage.

A metric under those conditions deserves a medal, in my opinion. Assateague was dangerous, and I really think they should have shut the bridge. From what I understand from colleagues (I am Team Booz Allen Hamilton, and we ride every year...not me, but someone from the firm), the pit used to be before the bridge, near the sand you talked about. I think it should stay there if the weather's like that.

So anyway, CHEERS to you. If you keep your fitness level where it is, you will have absolutely no trouble doing it next year or next time you try. If it hadn't been for you guys (I just saw your posts the night before the century) I don't know if we'd have made it. You all are inspirational!

BTW, one tip. If you do it next year, come down and do the Shorbird Metric (or the shorter 32) Memorial Day weekend. Other good training rides are the Knights for Sight ride (July or August, also from Salisbury but poorly supported) and there's another one from Pemberton Park. I know the terrain is weird...flat but windy. I moved 2 years ago from Northern Virginia where there are tons of hills, to Lewes, DE where there aren't any. I did the Reston Metric this year and it was TOUGH. The Seagull this year was harder.

Congratulations to all!!!

[7rider]

Congrats to LLB, Megandmac and everyone else who venured out this past Saturday for the Seagull Century!!! Metric, Full.... just being out there in that snotty weather merits a major "atta girl!"
Boy, what a day, huh???
DH and I arrived very late - too late to even attempt to hook up with the LBS folks. We did hook up with my friend Karen and her DH. We left through the bridge at around 8:40.
It rained for about the first 20 miles, and I was sooo glad when it stopped.
I was definitely the weakest link in our 4-person chain, and forever dropped off the back (got "gapped" as they call it). If a train of fast moving cyclists happened by, I'd hop on the last wheel and be a wheel sucker back up to my group. Desperate times call for desperate measures. It was like the most intense hill workout ever. I'd be hammering for all I was worth, only to look down and see the speed at a disheartening 10 mph and the HR at 180!
The bridge onto Assateague was a freak event. I can't believe they kept it open. I rode it - death grip on the handlebars and my tendonitis in my elbow screaming in protest (too much time with the mouse and TE Forums!) - but my friend Karen walked it. It was strange seeing cyclists riding at an angle into the wind. My own DH loved it...he said he laughed the whole way over the bridge. He's such a freak!
Karen's sister, Becca, called it a day at the island and took the SAG back to SU. I'm sure lots did, and I don't blame them. Only the thought of a tail wind for the ride back kept me on the road. But, alas Murphy's Law of Cycling kicked in (You will always have a headwind) and we really only had a tailwind for about a 1/3 of it. Hmmm...Nor'easter. How come heading west-ish, I'm not getting a tailwind??? Stupid storm.
Anyway...we finished. 101 miles all told in a bit over 6.5 hours. Went back to the B&B, got a bottle of wine and sat in the hot tub filled with Epsom salts until we nearly passed out (well, not really). So, DH and I have FINALLY completed a century together - after 2 previous failed attempts.
Next year will be better. Sunshine, calm winds. Perfect.
Right?? Right??

[latelatebloomer]

ok, I feel better now. I have my cyber-medal pinned to my jammies, and you made me feel brave for trying AND smart for stopping.

[Trekhawk]

ps - a big thankyou hug to ALL of you who have advised and encouraged me. And a special thank you to Trekhawk, who offered to be my century training partner. She has been a great cheerleader and cyber-shoulder, and perhaps most importantly, sent me a decent seat. Thanks, Leslie!

My Dear LLB - what can I say - but right back at you. I love having my very own cyber training partner and friend to share the ups, downs and laughs with.

Like I said in my PM now you have a war story to tell when you get together with all the fine weather cyclists. CONGRATULATIONS

[Selkie]

You gals are something! The weather kept me and my husband from making the trip out there. Instead I rode at home where the winds were really bad (figured that they must have been much worse out there) and of course, there was some drizzle. I hope you all treated yourself to a nice recovery meal!

[Jen]

My hat is off to you!!! I am a newbie to. To date I have only riden 30miles, I about 5 times on the bike) My goal is the seagull next year. I hear that it has been bad weather for most years. I heard from experienced riders that this was a bad one with the wind. The one in Virginia, coming up, sounds good. I have been following you thread. Thanks for sharing your feelings. I really, really want to do this. I am planning on a century next year and the MS ride next June. Those are my goals. Think i'll make it? I am strong and fit BUT overweight and older.... Hey, I don't care. The weight can come off and the age doesn't matter. Hope I see some of you out there. I see a rail trail in wester maryland that looks good 42 miles. Anyone done it? By the way, I heard on the radio that there was a 10 mile back up to the Bay Bridge that weekend. Must have been for the seagull. That was some horrible weather!

[SadieKate]

LLB, I've been trying to catch up on all the posts from the last several days. Congratulations. Don't be disappointed at all. As you noted, a lot of people didn't even start in that weather. You not only started, you persevered for a metric and did it in your stylish shower cap. Way to go. You should wear that cyber-medal with pride.