Seagull Century: Disappointment

[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.
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! ). 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.