Need Input on which Ride to Prioritize
 

I can fairly say that I'm now ready for my very first Full Century, but I'm only after the flat ones and not yet those rolling hills (including some sustained climbing). My area is Southeastern Pennsylvania and I have the following flat centuries which I'm interested in joining:

* June 24 - Bay to Bay (Chestertown, MD) (www.chestertownlions.org)
* Aug. 11 - Ride to See (Galena, MD) (www.ridetosee.org)
* Aug. 25 - Shorefire Century (Middletown,DE) (http://www.whiteclaybicycleclub.org/.../shorefire.htm)

I would like to get everyone's opinion on these 3 rides, what was their experience if they've done it in the past, was the event fully supported, and how they would rate it from 1-10 with 10 being as a MUST EXPERIENCE kind of event.

Reason for my asking is Time and most importantly Budget. I can definitely ride any of them, but not all. If we all need to inform our Bosses at work perhaps weeks in advance if we're taking a day off and when, I also think it's fair enough for me to do the same to my family since these events will be on weekends. :)

Thanks in advance for all your inputs! It will help me greatly in choosing which ride is it for this year.

Alright, after 16 days with not even a single reply to my post, I assumed that not a single rider here has no prior experience to any of the three rides I outlined above. So just to share: I did the Bay-to-Bay ride last Sunday. It was 98% flat indeed and a century was doable given the conditions that day. However I only did the shorter 76.8 miles.

So to those who are planning to join this event next year here are my observations:

1) Route was along Maryland's and Delaware's major roads with 45mph and above posted speed limits. Even though the shoulders are wide and well-maintained, the fact that vehicles can travel at that speed and even greater is not for the weak-chested.
2) The 76.8-mile route is an out-and-back type, meaning you'll be riding on the same route going to and back. I personally prefer a loop-type so I get to see different sceneries. On the other hand, the 84.6-mile and the 104-mile routes took a different route in going back, passing through the town of Chestertown which was not included in the 76.8-mile route.
3) No lunch food at the finish line. This was a surprise because the other previous events I took part this year, lunch or at least some hearty snack food were included in the fee.

I'm relieved I answered all the questions myself. And this was my first-and-last.

Wow, no lunch? How much was the fee?
What did they have at the rest stops, the
usual suspects - bananas, granola/protein
bars, gatorade/heed, etc.? I notice that this
was organized by a non-profit group, it seems
that in my area(New York City tri-state) the
for profit centuries suck; NY Gran Fondo,
Ride to Montauk. I'm lucky the 1st century
I did was organized by a non profit group,
Five Boro Bike Club - Montauk Century:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLpAL...hannel&list=UL

1nterceptor, the fee was $30 for walk-in riders. That's what I did since their online payment doesn't make sense: $25 + $3.75 online fee. The food items you mentioned were exactly the ones found on the rest stops. They have water and Gatorade alright, but the Gatorade was obviously diluted to maximize the stock.

The Bay-to-Bay event mentioned that the proceeds go to the Leader Dogs for the Blind. But in my observation, I think it would be much meaningful to first-timers like me to at least see some of those dogs in the event area so I see first-hand where my fee truly goes.