General Cycling Discussion - Civil War Century

Has anybody ridden this ride, the Civil War Century, in MD/PA?

I was wondering if anybody could give me an idea of what it is like.

It sounds fascinating and I am hoping to get there this year.

2003 site: http://www.bbcracing.org/CWC2003/Civil_War_Century.htm


Thanks,

Used to live in Hagerstown (right in middle of last years
route) and its a VERY hilly area. Looks to be a fun ride
tho. Great country

Marty

I did that 2 years ago. It's a challenge, since you climb a couple of mountains in the century, but shorter versions don't have as many climbs. If you want to do the full century, you'll at least have to ride a lot of hills by the time of the century. You do ride by civil war sites, South Mountain, Antietam, and Gettysburg. Gettysburg is toward the end of the route, so you mayl be tired and stil have to deal with cars and pedestrians on the roads there. The rest stops are good, and there is bluegrass and great ice cream at the end. Parking is on a grass field, so parking your car can be a rough ride. By the way, thanks. Now I'm eager to do it again this year.

One of my favorite rides.

4 main climbs, starting with a 7 mile climb 5 miles into the ride, great scenery, great organization and at a good time of year (September). I would hartily recommend it.

Len

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like a fantastic ride.

At 381 miles from home, this will be a long drive but I am going to try it this year. Actually, I can't wait.

I have never been to Gettysburg and I have always wanted to see that bridge at Antietam.

John

Riding down Bloody Lane in Antietam is downright
eerie. Riding down bloody lane at night is downright
scary.
Gettysburg (the park) is a really nice place to go do
leisurely rides, the only problem is all the tourons
(tourist + moron).
Marty

I was going to ride it last year, but the guy I was going to go with said he wouldn't do it if it was raining. And it rained. :(

But I've been in that area quite a bit and it's got some good hills (they call them mountains). They also have some shorter rides (I think 25 mile, 50 mile, a 62 mile, and a 74 mile). The shorter rides don't tackle as many of the mountains. They say the 50 miler is almost flat. The 62 and 74 add a few mountains, but not all that you'd go over on the 100 miler.

It is really beautiful up there. I'm planning on doing it this year for sure, rain or no rain.

I did the Civil War Century as my first century last week. I had trained mostly on flat terrain, and I suffered during the ride. There were many, many hills. It didn't help that my front shifter was broken, leaving me with only the big chain ring. I am already planning my training for next year. Challanging, but rewarding. I was on a Trek 1500 (all stock) and averaged 16.2 mph. Slow, but I was happy just to finish.

It didn't help that my front shifter was broken, leaving me with only the big chain ring.A bit of advice. If this happens again in hilly terrain, adjust the limit screws in the derailleur so that the chain stays on the small (middle if it's a triple) chainring. Better to have enough low gear than to have more high-end gears, IMHO.

After preparing for the 100 mile ride all year, because of family time constraints, I suddenly could only do the metric version of the CWC last week and it was fantastic.

It was my first visit to that area and it was a great ride.

I loved those miles and miles of ridgeviews, 4 covered bridges and riding a bicycle up to Little Round Top at Gettysburg, a place I have been reading about all of my life, had never been there and to be there on bicycle!

Thanks to all for the info,

next year, the true century, over that mountain I could only drive over this year.