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!