Seagull Century

[islandgirl2]

Is anyone riding the Seagull Century. I have read some old posts of others that have done the century in the past, but haven't seen any posts from anyone riding this year. I know it is a flat century ride and I know about the possibility of bad weather. (I won't ride if it is pouring rain or if there are any major storms.) I was hoping to get any other feedback on the ride itself, the support, general comments of the ride etc. This will be my first century ride. I was thinking about riding the St Mary's century ride but my husband (who is planning to ride it too) wants our first century to be something more well known and that has a little more "going on" at the rest stops and at the end for the party, if that makes sense...

I am definitely worried about the number of riders- last year it was 8400 I believe. I know there is heavy use of pacelines on this century too. We have never rode in pacelines. We do ride together often and will draft each other, but I have never really trusted anyone else to ride that close. The most riders I have really been around were at the Reston Century, which is clearly much smaller than this ride. Should I be worried or does it separate out pretty quickly according to levels.

There are also 2 routes for the century. I am trying to decide which one to sign up to ride. The original route goes to Assateague Island and the beach area vs the other one does not. I have heard that there are 4x more people signed up for the original than the Snow Hill route.

I do already have a hotel room booked, I didn't register for the ride yet though.

[ny biker]

My experience with pacelines in this type of ride is that they go flying past me and I wonder for a minute if they're enjoying the scenery or even noticing it at all, and then they're gone, off into the distance.

Most of the riders you see will probably be more casual. You might find yourself riding in a loose group of others who are about the same speed, and you can stick with them if you like them, or you can drop them or let them drop you.

I was thinking about doing the metric version of the St. Mary's century, but I will probably decide that at the last minute.

[7rider]

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.

[islandgirl2]

For now we are still planning on riding it, although I am still feeling a little unsettled about the 8000+ people. I didn't register yet, I don't mind waiting until later, just because I know there is the chance of bad weather too. I already got the hotel and I was told I can register on Fri evening as well.

We are thinking of doing the metric for St Mary's too. I forgot about the tacks on the road incident! That doesn't make me feel too great about doing that ride now either! I can't believe people would even do things like that to bikers.

[ny biker]

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.

Hmmm, I don't remember the roads being that crowded, but then it's been 4 years since I've done this ride. Also I'm remembering it as show-and-go rather than a mass start, in which case I probably started later than most people. (But am I even remembering that correctly?)

I do have clear memories of the Livestrong ride in Philadelphia with 5000-6000other folks on the road, and some of those roads have more traffic on them than you find on the eastern shore, so crossing the yellow line is more of a risk. Even with the crowds, I generally didn't find it to be a problem. And I often wind up chatting with folks along the way. It's all part of the experience.

[islandgirl2]

That is good news- I am hoping it isn't too bad.

We just decided to go on a biking trip at the end of October too, so we are trying to decide if the century 2 weeks before a 3 day biking trip will be too much. So many decisions! At least we are getting to spend a lot of time on our bikes! My goal was to do a century this year though- so I am pretty set on at least trying to get one in before the end of the year!