I don't remember the wind being a constant problem the first time I did the Sea Gull. Though there were windy sections, and there was a gust as I was crossing the bridge back from Assateague that blew me sideways pretty hard.

At the risk of sounding obsessed with food -- you'll also want to be careful about what you eat for dinner the night before. For me, having Mexican food before my first century was not a good idea. OTOH a huge bland meal at Cracker Barrel works great for me. You want something filling but easy on your digestive system.

It's harder to control your meals if you're staying in a hotel before the ride. I've been known to sneak a toaster into the hotel room so I can have waffles for my pre-ride breakfast. It's usually easier if you can eat something like oatmeal or cold cereal, if there is a microwave and fridge in the room.

Okay I think I'm done with food advice.

I've found that having a good song stuck in your head can make it easier to get through the tough parts of the ride. If necessary I will force myself to have a song stuck in my head by just focusing on one to keep my mind occupied. Of course that's if you're riding alone; if you've got someone to chat with, it helps the miles go by. If you're on your own and you find yourself riding at the same pace as a stranger, try striking up a conversation.