Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Choosing my first century...(in/around Maryland)

I want to do my first century this summer but I need some help choosing between the Seagull and the Civil War Centuries. Which would be a better start? I have been slowly adding miles for the past few years and I can ride comfortably around 50 miles without much training. If there are other local centuries that might be better, I would be open to them as well.

I can't imagine two more different centuries then the Civil War and the Seagull centuries. The Civil War century is hilly; any ride that goes anywhere near Antietam is going to involve some steep climbs.

The Seagull Century is dead flat; the only two hills of note are going back and forth across a bridge. It can be really windy though; however, there are thousands upon thousands of people who do the Seagull century, so it's not very hard to find a group for drafting purposes.

It's been ages since I lived down there and did either ride, so I don't know how / if they've changed lately. I'm doubting Antietam has gotten flat or that the Eastern Shore has gotten hilly though. :) I'm not sure where you live now? The PPTC bike club (http://www.bikepptc.org) usually has a couple rides that go up through the Catoctin Mountains (i.e., Antietam area) if you're interested in some hilly training routes.

KevinF is right: two very different centuries, Seagull and CWC. One is almost pancake flat, full of pacelines and big groups. The other is hilly and less pack-driven, with a lot of challenge and the most wonderful ice cream at the end.

I second Kevin's recommendation of Potomac Pedalers Touring Club as a source for learning the routes in and around MD, DC and VA. They host a number of rides for all rider abilities, and can help point you in the right direction. They also host a great century (the Historic Back Road Century) in September that isn't as hilly as the CWC, but far from flat, and full of great historic sights.

ABRT hosts the Bay Country Century out of Owings, MD, which is southwest of Annapolis. This is a rolling century that has lovely views of Chesapeake Bay and has some climbing - more than Seagull, less than either CWC or the PPTC HBRC.

You have plenty of options - good luck!

I've done both. Seagull would be a blast if they could guarantee good weather. I rode in '05 and '06, and it was atrocious both times. The only benefits were there being short lines for lunch, and people encouraging riders to have seconds of pie. I haven't been able to go the past two years, and it's not looking good for this year.

The Civil War century hits you with a serious climb starting less than a mile into the ride. There is no shortage of hills after that either. It hot and humid the time I rode that one, but I'll take carrying a third water bottle to battling rain and headwinds for 65 miles.

If you want to try something a bit more tame, yet with nice scenery and opportunities to bail if you're having a bad day, check out the Harrisburg Bicycle Club's Three Creeks century. Mid September has less extreme weather than August or October, and the hills and wind will be much more moderate than the two you're looking at.

I did the Bay to Bay ride in Chestertown last year. Very, very flat and easy. Probably will skip it this year because it's a bit of a drive, but it was a good ride:

http://chestertownlions.org/bay_to_bay.htm

Seagull was my first century and I recommend it as a starter because it's just FLAT. As people have said, the weather is variable. I've had perfect weather twice, steady day-long rain and wind twice. Until you done some substantial hilly training rides, I wouldn't suggest Civil War as a first century ride.

Of course, I have a friend who did Mountains of Misery as her first century ride, so anything is possible!

Of course, I have a friend who did Mountains of Misery as her first century ride, so anything is possible!

Oh, now there's some inspiration for me! I've signed up for my first this year, and sometimes I can't sleep at night worrying about it :eek:

Seagull was my first century and I recommend it as a starter because it's just FLAT. As people have said, the weather is variable. I've had perfect weather twice, steady day-long rain and wind twice. Until you done some substantial hilly training rides, I wouldn't suggest Civil War as a first century ride.

Of course, I have a friend who did Mountains of Misery as her first century ride, so anything is possible!

Only thing with Seagull is that there are so many riders that accidents are inevitable. We saw about five this year. Best thing to do is to start late (around 9). That way the pacelines full of newby, wannabe racers are already miles down the road.

I'll add another vote to the three creeks century in Carlisle,Pa,a beutifull ride with small rolling hills.
Another option for something in the middle of the road category is the Cumberland valley century ride.
You can still visit Antietam battle field and get some good rolling hills to have fun with,these hills just skirt along the edges of the mountains without actually climbing them,this ride is in early august so it could be hot though.

why not try and ride one on your own before one of these event?

imagine how much more confident you will be if you have already got a century under your belt solo?

sounds like you are fit, why not set yourself the challenge of a solo century?