Great Lakes - Door County Century - who has done it?

Was in Door County last week on vacation and saw the markings on the road for this ride. Wondering if any one has done it, and if so, how was it? I may give this one a shot next year, the scenery is fantastic!

I talked to a few people this last Sunday during Pedal the Kettle who did it. They love doing that ride and it was pretty much perfect this year. I think a few people from work head up there as it's on our work club ride list....but haven't chatted with any of them about it yet.

One I want to do sometime; since just like you said, the scenery up there is fantastic!

I did the ride and it really is a good one. They must draw somewhere in the range of 1700-2000 people for it, but it does not feel crowded (until you eat at the end). This is the 2nd time in 3 years my wife and I partipated, both years had outstanding weather, a touch cool but still works up a sweat. They route you on very good roads, and most people know how scenic door county is, it is a little better on a bicycle.

It is well organized, they have an expo on the Saturday before that lets you preregister and have a number of exhibitors selling the usual biking goods.

The spaghetti dinner with a cherry pie dessert at the end is a nice touch.

I've done DCC 5 times now. Great organization. Great cause. Great volunteers. Great opportunity for a long weekend in a really nice area.

HOWEVER.....I thought the recent route change (?this year or last year?) to the sidewalk in Sister Bay was the most inane idea of any century ride I've ever done. I mean, here you have a "bike path" which is really a side walk--there are driveways every 30 feet and stop signs placed every block. Cars were confused if you stopped where you were supposed to; riders that stopped risked riders behind them not stopping.

If they don't reroute out of Sister Bay, I doubt I will return. There have been many variations on the extra loop for the century over the years. I'm really hoping that this was a one-year only trial and that they change it back to a better route.

I made the trip from Milwaukee with 2 friends for our first Century, and it was fantastic! Great weather, great route, very well marked and only a couple of tough (for me) hills. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to repeat the next weekend for Pedal the Kettle, but only did the 66 mile route in order to make the Packers kickoff. :)

So i have limited experience, but would definitely recommend the Door County Century - will probably do it again next year.

I have a home in Door so I ride the roads all the time anyway. My in-laws have a farm that's about two miles past the start point so I'm always riding that part of the course. I've done it and paid my money a few times but probably won't ante up the $35 again since I already ride around there for free and can just donate the cash straight to Sevastopol School if I feel like it. And I definitely would not pay the $55 fee they charge for late entries. A few locals ride the event, not many, it's mostly folks who come up from Appleton-Green Bay, Madtown, Milwaukee, Chicago or points beyond.

From what I read, registration was well down this year and they were hawking e-mails about being several hundred short of capacity right up to event time, probably thanks to the economy. I know a lot of shirts went unsold and I didn't buy one this year because I thought the $25 price tag (or more) was stiff. In the past they've sold shirts from previous seasons at the Expo for reduced rates but the new regime running the event the past two years apparently has taken a "gouge the tourist" stance and insists on selling everything full-price even after the event has ended...no shirts from previous years there this time for sale. The Expo is nice (it was a lot less crowded this year and that's because I'm guessing not as many people came to the event) and there's always some things to be had there, although my local shop folded in February and wasn't there (but they're planning to re-open a new store in Sturgeon Bay in January).

That said, and I'll put on my badge as a member of the Door County Silent Sports Alliance, if you're from out of town, it's a hell of a way to see the Door. Great course, and they do a good job with it. I agree with what someone said about running the route right through Sister Bay. That was stupid. I hope they don't do that again because only a fool or a tourist rides on 42 ... if I were to do the event again as a paying customer I'd avoid that route and make my way around town using the old route.

And the freebie poster this year was awesome. Best freebie I've gotten and it's going up in the exercise room as wall art.

"And the freebie poster this year was awesome. Best freebie I've gotten and it's going up in the exercise room as wall art."

Any chance you could post a picture of it? You make it sound so good!

I forgot to add something I noticed while riding the DCC. The roads up there are in MUCH better condition than down here in Milwaukee/Waukesha/Racine counties. At home I have to plan my routes to avoid the most potholed roads, and that does not leave many to choose from :(

I forgot to add something I noticed while riding the DCC. The roads up there are in MUCH better condition than down here in Milwaukee/Waukesha/Racine counties. At home I have to plan my routes to avoid the most potholed roads, and that does not leave many to choose from :(

Yeah, tends to suck down here. I get back to 'home' in western Jackson county and ride there and Trempealeau county and the roads are way better as well. There, I think it has a bit to do with amount of traffic (none). In DC, I bet they have a pretty good flow of tax revenue and can spend a bit more on building and maintaining (or they just don't cheap out on them).

Kinda disheartening to see how good it can be when you're stuck with crap. Although, on the Pedal the Kettle ride, there was a significant amount of new pavement...so there may be hope!