Late Season Century Suggestions?

[HigherGround]

Well, my two season objectives (the Philly Gran Fondo and the LiveStrong Challenge) didn't quite work out as planned due to circumstances beyond my control. Can anyone suggest a good century ride within a day's drive of the Philly area, taking place in mid-Spetember or later?

[rajarajan]

Seagull century in Salisbury MD on Oct 15th. That's a big ride attracting 7000 riders or more every year.

[HigherGround]

Thanks for the recommendation! Have you done this ride? Any suggestions as to why someone might prefer the Assateague or Snow Hill route over the other? Is it pretty flat, rolling, or short / steep hills?

[StupidlyBrave]

Three Creeks century has some nice roads.

[daedwards]

Have to agree...Seagull is a good well run ride even with the number of riders.

Mostly flat and wind can be a factor. Assateaque would be more scenic but probably more traffic both cars and bikes.

[HigherGround]

Three Creeks century has some nice roads.

Thanks for the suggestion and the link. I wasn't familiar with this route. It's the day after the Univest Grand Prix Cyclosportif. I haven't yet signed up for the Univest ride, and doing both might be a bit much for the weekend, but I'm definitely considering it.

How would you compare it to the terrain around Lancaster? (Granted, almost anything is hillier than Lancaster...) Are you planning to do this ride?

[StupidlyBrave]

Thanks for the suggestion and the link. I wasn't familiar with this route. It's the day after the Univest Grand Prix Cyclosportif. I haven't yet signed up for the Univest ride, and doing both might be a bit much for the weekend, but I'm definitely considering it.

How would you compare it to the terrain around Lancaster? (Granted, almost anything is hillier than Lancaster...) Are you planning to do this ride?

I've done this ride twice. Once because I felt the need to ride a full century after a major injury and another time my brother-in-law called me out of the blue once to ride with him for his century training plan (we rode 75 miles - his first century was the Seagull). So I could be talked into it But I might have a backpacking trip that weekend.

The area Tour de Cure (mapmyride link) has historically used much of the same roads, and I do the metric there annually.

It seems like the roads are compatible in terms of hills, but in reviewing Beth's gps log (link) for this ride last year, it shows the same rough elevation change as the Lancaster Metric (link). So it's actually flatter. They are mostly rollers - and a lot of them.

The ride is divided into three loops - the "Opossum lake" loop is reputed to be "challenging". I think it was mostly because the suggested order of loops has this right after lunch, so it might be challenging to keep your lunch down.

Being September, it's a bit of a chill rolling at 7am, but it's a really nice ride and not too crowded.

[beachcruiser]

Seagull Century is a well organized ride. Ride is very flat, but expect some wind.

[HigherGround]

StupidlyBrave - Well, I did the Univest Grand Prix ride on Saturday, and it totally kicked my butt. It was the first long ride I had done since the LiveStrong Challenge, and the hills took their toll. I fell asleep on the couch Saturday night, and didn't wake up until 10:30 am Sunday morning! However, I will definitely keep the ride in mind for next year.

I will be doing the Seagull Century on Saturday. Is anyone else going?

[jbithaca]

I have done this ride twice, but not in the last 5 years. Does not get a huge turnout, but nice scenic course.

http://www.rockysbikeshop.com/tourdeshunk.html

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/760204