Long Distance Cycling - Seagull Century 2007

I'll be going with a couple of my buds this year...

Would anyone here be kind enough to lead me to a gpx file of the Seagull Century course that I could download on my Garmin 305 Edge? ..... I didn't see anything other than the regular route maps on their website... maybe you could post it here or pm me?

Thanks in advance!

See you there?!!

I don't have one, at least one you would want to follow (I got lost last year). But do a search over at http://trail.motionbased.com and I bet you will find one.

-D

Ha! I remember reading about your "extra mileage" somewhere else in the forum, derath! :)

I've been meaning to check out motionbased since I've been having trouble transfering
stuff from my 305 to GTC....thanks for the tip!

Derath, you got lost on the Seagull?? I wouldn't have thought that was humanly possible! :D (Just teasing!!)

(Barndoor, you don't say whether this is your first Seagull, but it's the same route every year, has pretty good road markings, and is populated by, oh, 7000 or so cyclists, probably most of whom have done the ride more than once. Thus my ribbing of Derath. :))

I'll be back again this year, keeping my fingers crossed for good weather -- we really are due for a nice day! Hope you guys have a great ride.

You could go to mapmyrun or mapmyride.com and create a file. They now have an option to export the file in crs format for garmin. Then you open up the forerunner program, import it into that, and then export it into your forerunner. I just did this for a 120 mile ride using a forerunner 305 and it works beautifully.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/md/salisbury/537097919

That's the century route, I rode it last week & its very well marked (as usual).

The weather's been great here for far too long, so I'm pessimestic about the ride weekend weather :rolleyes:

I'm predicting pleasant weather this year (I can't make it to the ride). Hope you have a blast.

Not sure if I'm in shape enough yet for this? I've been getting back into biking this summer, with my maximum ride so far being 30 miles on the hills of northern Baltimore County. 100 miles on the flat sounds easy at first, but then I'm trying to factor in the wind. Also on a hilly ride, you can coast virtually half the distance (the downhills), whereas at the Sea Gull one would have to self-propel 100% of the way. I'm thinking too about the saddle-sore factor of such a long ride. Any thoughts/advice?

I'm there.

Maybe we can set up a BF meeting place somewhere at the school.

I'm there.

Maybe we can set up a BF meeting place somewhere at the school.

That would be cool if we could work it out. I always try to start at the crack of 0700 ('cause I'm soooo slow), but maybe I'll tie some ribbons to my helmet or something so you all can give me a shout out as you pass me. :) I haven't made reservations yet, but I usually stay in Ocean City and make a long weekend out of it.

Whooohooo! Just got my packet in the mail today. I'm rider 3872.

#3903 here.
I really hope to put faces on some BF Screeen names.

...whereas at the Sea Gull one would have to self-propel 100% of the way. I'm thinking too about the saddle-sore factor of such a long ride. Any thoughts/advice?

Start early, get in on the many pacelines that are sure to form, ride out of the saddle every once in a while and take advantage of the rest stops for "readjustments". Ride within yourself and you'll be fine (I'll pass you a rope)

Derath, you got lost on the Seagull?? I wouldn't have thought that was humanly possible! :D (Just teasing!!)

It was pretty funny. Especially when we looped back around (I was with my dad) we came back across the missed turn and there was the BIGGEST sign ever for the turn we missed. It must have been one of the times I had just put my head down during the soggy day.

I'll be back again this year, keeping my fingers crossed for good weather -- we really are due for a nice day! Hope you guys have a great ride.

I will be skipping this year. I am sure it will be perfect of course. But after 2 years in a row of lousy rainy weather I am taking a break from this ride.

-D

My son and I will be attempting the Seagull for the third time. Too much water and wind last 2 years. We are soooo due. I hear there is pie and ice cream at the last rest stop for both routes. Hope to find out this year!

#3863 here...

My group will be leaving right around 7 am. I'll be wearing my Proteus jersey...brown, yellow and white ... shouldn't be too many of those around
...and riding my dark blue, steel, 67cm Proteus road bike...

Say hi when you blow by me.... :)

# 739!

I'll be on my titanium Airborne Carpe Diem with geeky reflector tape on the fork and cranks. Not sure what jersey, but I usually wear plain ones, covered up by a Camelbak, so not much help there anyway.

I'm seriously considering some helmet ribbons . . . one year several of us "internet-only" friends agreed to sport orange hazard tape about our persons and/or bikes, and that worked great as an ID tool! :)

(And, yes, beachcruiser, there is most definitely pie and ice cream at the last century stop! I've never done the metric, so no first-hand knowledge of its pie/ice cream status.)

I'll probably wear my pink Team BBC jersey (cuz it stands out so well) and also the yellow BF name tag that I wore during the Lancaster Covered Bridge Metric Century clipped to my jersey pocket. Maybe I should clip it to the back of my tire bag, because not too many folks spotted it while it was clipped to my jersey during the Lancaster ride.

I'll be riding the Giant TCR (linked below), but with a different front wheel, an E3 saddle, and a tire bag for my spare.

The Sea Gull will be my first century ever (and after having only been riding seriously for the past month and a half on my first road bike ever)--I'll be rider #4570 (or is that .45-70 Government? nah!)--I just registered this weekend, and I did 80 miles on the W&OD trail here in NoVA, and 200 miles over all last week (66 miles on the trail on Sunday, 8 miles on Monday, 12 miles on Tuesday, 40 miles on the trail on Wednesday, 12 miles on Thursday, 38 miles on the trail on Friday, 24 miles on the trail on Saturday, and then the 80 miles this past Sunday, and 12 more miles yesterday). I think I should be OK, but as was mentioned here or in the other thread, the Sea Gull is flat, and the W&OD is a series of steady, gentle hills. So we'll see how that works out.

I'll probably be wearing a red and black jersey, red and black shorts, red and black gloves, grey helmet, and riding a red Trek 1500. That is, if I'm not covering all of that with a high-viz green windbreaker and/or arm-warmers.

See you on the ride!

Maybe I should clip it to the back of my tire bag, because not too many folks spotted while it was clipped to my jersey during the Lancaster ride.


Umm that's because you were ahead of the big BF.net group blazing a 19mph average trail that day :)

-D

Umm that's because you were ahead of the big BF.net group blazing a 19mph average trail that day :)

-D

:o True... and depending on the prevailing winds of the day, the Seagull may be a little more of the same. ;)

Actually, it may be time to start "smelling the roses" and just do this in "touring mode" (17 MPH?)

:o True... and depending on the prevailing winds of the day, the Seagull maybe a little more of the same. ;)

Actually, it may be time to start "smelling the roses" and just do this in "touring mode" (17 MPH?)

Yea but flat course, long straight roads. It screams PACELINE.

-D

...

(And, yes, beachcruiser, there is most definitely pie and ice cream at the last century stop! I've never done the metric, so no first-hand knowledge of its pie/ice cream status.)

and a live band too. There were so many no-shows last year, they were begging people to take 2nd servings of pie.

Yea but flat course, long straight roads. It screams PACELINE.

-D


I'm starting out with my group....but I know they're gonna burn out early....so I'll be looking to hook up with some BF'ers somewhere along the line....I'll probably be the only Proteus jersey wearin' , Proteus dark blue bike ridin' , 6'7" geek wandering around out there.... :)

The 10 day forcast looks promisiing for a nice day. But we all know how reliable those can be.

If the weather is nice and the winds are low, I plan on riding tempo. I want to get as close to 4hr 30min (ride time) as possible. If the weather sucks, i'll be taking it easy.

This will be Seagull #12 for me. I've only missed 2 since 1994. I guess since im an old timer or something like that I get early registration notification in the spring via email. In 2005 i was no 151, last year it was 92 and this year i've got # 33.

I better bring a cooler of Rolling Rock for after the ride.

I'll be wearing at least a Team Lattidude jersey riding my red/black IF.

If you see a big guy in an orange jersey on a blue Long-Haul Trucker, give me a wave. Better yet, tow me along for a bit.

The only other century I've done is the Seagull in '04. I averaged 17.8 that time, mostly by drafting anyone I could latch onto (sorry, I was desperate!). I'm even heavier this time, but I've trained a lot more. By the end of this week I'll have 400+ miles in September.

I had two really good drafts in '04. The most fun was a group of about six african-american guys absolutely cruising along at 24-25 mph, w/ red-faced me desperately trying to hang on the back for about five miles. Must have made a funny picture; they were all svelte and toned; I was, well, I was there. Just when I was starting to think I might be outliving my welcome we came to a sharp turn. The other guys accelerated smoothly out of the turn and my choice became moot. One guy gave me a friendly wave as they receded into the distance. If any of you guys are reading this, thanks, and I could probably use the help this year too...

The other great draft was a tandem couple near the end. A couple of other beefy guys had already latched on and were promising the nice couple all sorts of payment in recompense for the draft, including mowing their lawn at one point. I wasn't talking much by this part of the ride, but managed to gasp out a thanks as we went into the tunnel, emerging into the sun where the *cheerleaders* awaited us w/ a cheer!

Good times...

pete
#805

Just received some email from TeamBBC. Looks like there will be two other TeamBBC riders doing the century. So, if you see a pink train go by, that'll probably be us. ;)

Well, I'm not part of the BBC team, but I'll be in my BBC jersey with the flag around it. Riding the old-skool Raleigh in my signature. I'm on the metric and don't know how many others will be there from here, but say hi when you pass.

It's been windy here (I'm close to SU), today's ride was brutal going east, fun going west!

Word from the weather service looks good for Sat!

Sat Oct 6
Partly Cloudy - 82°/62° -20%- Winds From the South Southeast 7mph

Fatguy, we have you beat. We've only missed 2 as well - one due to knee surgery and one due to a baby born in September 2001. But we've been doing this since 1990 - its 2nd year with only 600 riders and a mass start. #276 and 277 this year. I'll be on my new Trek Pilot and my husband will be on his fixie - probably hasn't picked which one yet....
Have done minimal riding this year - bad knee injury in July that just started feeling better last month.

Fatguy, we have you beat. We've only missed 2 as well - one due to knee surgery and one due to a baby born in September 2001. But we've been doing this since 1990 - its 2nd year with only 600 riders and a mass start. ...

Dagnabit! :p

NoRacer - The MABRA pain train is pulling out of the Hardees (other side of tunnel) parking lot at 8am. I remember trying to hook up to it last year and came uncoupled when i went anerobic within 15 min of starting. I was in pretty bad shape for the Seagull last year. This year, i'll be OK. Maybe. :lol:

Nice article in local paper HERE (http://delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071004/NEWS01/710040418).

Looks like we'll have company on the roads of Iraq (That Air Force jersey is sweet!)

Weather is indicating light breeze to 5-7mph from the South later in the day-so should be nice tail breeze for the ride back:) As far as saddle sore-get some specific (B.B.) cream, that will take care of the tender places.

NoRacer - The MABRA pain train is pulling out of the Hardees (other side of tunnel) parking lot at 8am. I remember trying to hook up to it last year and came uncoupled when i went anerobic within 15 min of starting. I was in pretty bad shape for the Seagull last year. This year, i'll be OK. Maybe. :lol:

I'll keep an eye out for you, John.

Dagnabit! :p

NoRacer - The MABRA pain train is pulling out of the Hardees (other side of tunnel) parking lot at 8am. I remember trying to hook up to it last year and came uncoupled when i went anerobic within 15 min of starting. I was in pretty bad shape for the Seagull last year. This year, i'll be OK. Maybe. :lol:

Four hour century-type? I can't wait, it sounds like fun!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/0716071818.jpg

See you tommorow- have a great ride!

I'll be there. Rider #2996. First century - please give me a push if you see me. Looks like the weather is going to be puuurfect.

If you didn't go, you missed a great one! Started out in fog so it kept everyone cool. A few riders forgot to dry their brakes off, so theri were a couple of accidents. Hearing 5300 rode the 100 mile and 100k routes. Best part of the whole trip is the coeds cheering as you come out of the tunnel! And the bands! And the pie and ice cream! I guess it's all good.

The pink Team BBC train finished in 4:49 ride time--not too shabby considering we played around and that all but one person was under 49 years of age. ;) Almost got KOM points over the Assateague Bridge on the return trip, but teammate Tim beat me to the top.

50+ pix to be posted Monday.

The pink Team BBC train finished in 4:49 ride time--not too shabby considering we played around and that all but one person was under 49 years of age. ;) Almost got KOM points over the Assateague Bridge on the return trip, but teammate Tim beat me to the top.

50+ pix to be posted Monday.


Haha! Yeah, the BBC trains blew by my group just past the 70 mile mark...holy crap...what were you guys on? ;)

It was great riding Saturday! I hooked up with several groups, depending on what speed I wanted to go...I started out going around 17-18mph, solo....then I'd hook on to a passing group going a few mph faster... I rode with several of the "team in training" groups, depending on what they were wearing on their helmets :D .... all in all, it was one of the fastest centuries I've ridden at 19.89mph average for 100.3 miles... and definitely the most fun! .... something I noticed....seems there were a LOT of flats just after rest stops/lunch stop? I was very concerned with the wet road conditions early on due to the fog and the "mist" that was dampening things....I kept cleaning my tires with my glove just in case...this was the first time I can remember NOT getting a flat in rainy conditions ....

....and to everybody I rode with....THANK YOU for letting me hook on!

Nice job everybody!

The MABRA pain train was mostly DC Velo guys. We left at 8am sharp. I wasnt sure just how well i'd hold up given what happened last year, but had this been a 100 mile road race, i would have been ok. Had i not left all my hammer gels in the car. They had no plans to stop rest stop #1 and i wasnt doing 60 miles in zone 4 with no food. I wanted to finish the whole thing, so as the group went by the Milburn Landing entrance I pulled in and loaded up. That was a fast 20 miles. We got to Milburn in about 48 min. That 1st hour was crazy. A long with the race pace, i couldnt see squat thru my glasses. Anyway, I got in and out quick and figured i'd catch everybody at Assateague since i had enough stuff now to blow by rest stop #2. I rode tempo at 21+ when i was by myself and caught on to pacelines that were going faster to help me get to Assateague with out wearing myself out. I caught a large but slightly sketchy group for the ride to the water stop, but they stopped and I kept going. After about 15 mins of tempo riding a couple on a tandem and a guy riding solo passed me and i latched onto to them for the ride to Assateague. We three rotated pulls all the way to the island. I never saw them again. As for the DC Velo train, we unfortunaltly I saw them all heading out as i was heading in to the island. Game over. On a nice note, even with out the race group, i still got to assateague in 2:50 min. Wanting to keep my high average, I needed to keep going fast. I got lucky and caught on to another group all the way to the pie stop. That cherry pie hit the spot. 17 miles to go, more tempo and then another fast group latched on to the end. The tailwind on the run in was very helpful. I could feel the twinges of cramps develping in my quads when we hit the airport. I kept spinning and stretching as much as possible to ward them off. It worked. They didnt sieze on me. I finished in about 4:40 on ride time. I found a bud wandering in the parking lot and after changing, we headed to the beer garden. I dont know why everyone says chocolate milk is the ultimate recovery drink, cause lemme tell you, beer is just as good. Maybe better!

I finished the ride sometime after 1 pm but didnt leave until 4. If i had know that an i would have been sitting in a backup for 1 hr in Easton, I may have left earlier.

All in all this year rates in the top 3 of the 12 Seagulls i've now done. I dont think we'll ever get this kind of weather again for a long time.

All in all this year rates in the top 3 of the 12 Seagulls i've now done. I dont think we'll ever get this kind of weather again for a long time.

Figures. I do 2 crappy weather ones in a row and decide to skip this year.

Although I would have had to bail on the ride this year regardless. :-(

How were the shirts? Better than the neon yellow last year?

-D

I called the good weather when I walked into the gym at the end of last year's Seagull, saw the date for this year's and realized I wouldn't be able to ride it this year.

How were the shirts? Better than the neon yellow last year?

-D

A nice tastefull burgundy. Very wearable.

BTW - The ride thru the tropical storm in 2005 is also in my top 3.

Fantastic ride this year!
My personal stats-
Saddle time- 4:52 for the century (5:20 overall, I rode to and from SU)
Century ride- just over 5:30, and that includes 2 spoke repair @ Adkins mill rest stop!

I rode about 15-20 miles alone and joined 3 super pace lines and about 5 small/medium ones. I did my share of pulling (maybe 10 miles worth) but really appreciated all the fantastic work done by strangers pulling me to my fastest time ever! Thanks!

Now, some pics:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1613.jpg
Tony Tank Pond on my way to SU (7:15)

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1615.jpg
Lineup @ the start (7:30ish)

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1620.jpg
Milburn Landing Rest stop #1

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1625.jpg
Pokomoke Forest (a train is forming.)

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1628.jpg
A dragon in the mist on Nine Pin Road (I was solo because I skipped the second stop)

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1629.jpg
The dragon reveals itself!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1635.jpg
Is that the sky? Approaching Assateague.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1641.jpg
View from the top of the bridge.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1646.jpg
Awesome spread @ Assateague!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1648.jpg
Everyone loves pie!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1652.jpg
Adkins Mill Pond
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1657.jpg
Coming to the finish!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x259/G-Whacker/SC07/IMG_1669.jpg
My pull home!!!

Here's more pix in the form of a slideshow--enjoy:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/Sea%20Gull%20Century%202007/?action=view&slideshow=true