I have ridden the Seagull about 5 times (twice in rain) and I don't plan to ride it this year.
Got tired of riding with 8,000 of my closest "friends".
You spend the first 40 miles saying "on your left" "passing on your left" - as you contend with thousands of folks who haven't been on a bike all year, riding (more like, weaving) across the entire width of the road. More than a few times, we've had to cross the solid yellow line just to get past the hordes....which I never like to do.
Pacelines help to break up the monotony. Although it is beautiful countryside, after the first dozen farms or so, the scenery never really changes (except at Assateague...that's always good - if the wind isn't blowing gallons of salt and sand into your drivetrain).
So, as you can see....I'm a bit down on the Seagull. Was hoping to do St. Mary's Century on 25 Sept. as a change of pace, but can't get any takers to join me: "Hmmm...Leonardtown...isn't that the place where someone put tacks on the road?" (someone vandalized a bike race with tacks, causing several racers to crash this summer) So...none of my group wants to head down thataway.