Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

The Flattest Century of the East

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

The Flattest Century of the East

Old 04-21-07, 06:46 AM
  #1  
Über Member
Thread Starter
 
Ryleeryno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,489

Bikes: 2005 Trek 5000 (the last OCLV)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The Flattest Century of the East

I'll be riding this year. If anyone in the area wants to assemble a group ride then let me know...

Sunday Sept. 9th will be Southern New England's annual century ride. Limit to 1,800 riders. Registration starts May 1st. Last year registration met full capacity on May 18th so sign up ASAP if you wish to ride. More details at https://www.nbwclub.org/
__________________
Felt F3c

Me
Ryleeryno is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 06:49 AM
  #2  
Dirt-riding heretic
 
DrPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413

Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Ryleeryno
I'll be riding this year. If anyone in the area wants to assemble a group ride then let me know...

Sunday Sept. 9th will be Southern New England's annual century ride. Limit to 1,800 riders. Registration starts May 1st. Last year registration met full capacity on May 18th so sign up ASAP if you wish to ride. More details at https://www.nbwclub.org/
I don't know... I think the Seagull Century down here in MD might contest it for the title of flattest century...
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
DrPete is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 06:53 AM
  #3  
Über Member
Thread Starter
 
Ryleeryno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,489

Bikes: 2005 Trek 5000 (the last OCLV)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have no idea why my club calls it the Flattest Century of the East. I think its because of the route we take being mainly coastal with very little hills. Maybe they just named it "Flattest" to make it sound easier to ride.
__________________
Felt F3c

Me
Ryleeryno is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 06:56 AM
  #4  
Dirt-riding heretic
 
DrPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413

Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
The biggest "hill" on the Seagull is one bridge, so they sound quite similar.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
DrPete is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 07:09 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Weston, FL
Posts: 738
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
the flattest century was down here last month in and around the everglades.
rha600 is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 07:14 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Hambone's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bootiful Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,023

Bikes: GT Edge for the road/Specialized Hopper (well the frame and the bb, everything else is new) for the dirt

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DrPete
The biggest "hill" on the Seagull is one bridge, so they sound quite similar.
so you may beat the Montauk Century.

Two bridges... (Three if you do the 145 miles!)
Hambone is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 07:25 AM
  #7  
Infamous Member
 
chipcom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360

Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by DrPete
I don't know... I think the Seagull Century down here in MD might contest it for the title of flattest century...
Hancock Horizontal Hundred in Findlay, Ohio - the closest thing to a hill is a freeway overpass.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
chipcom is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 07:30 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138

Bikes: 2 many

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times in 169 Posts
Originally Posted by Ryleeryno
I have no idea why my club calls it the Flattest Century of the East. I think its because of the route we take being mainly coastal with very little hills. Maybe they just named it "Flattest" to make it sound easier to ride.
A long time ago when they named it, that was a good name. That whole area is flater than any place nearby except maybe the Cape.

It's not supposed to be the flattest. Just the flattest in the east. It certainly is in New England.
2manybikes is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 07:30 AM
  #9  
Dirt-riding heretic
 
DrPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413

Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by chipcom
Hancock Horizontal Hundred in Findlay, Ohio - the closest thing to a hill is a freeway overpass.
Hey, for big boys like me that's a mountain stage.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
DrPete is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 08:00 AM
  #10  
Infamous Member
 
chipcom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360

Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
climbing is for wussy
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
chipcom is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 08:01 AM
  #11  
Dirt-riding heretic
 
DrPete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413

Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by chipcom
climbing is for wussy
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
DrPete is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 08:02 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138

Bikes: 2 many

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times in 169 Posts
Originally Posted by DrPete

That still makes me laugh!
2manybikes is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 08:45 AM
  #13  
Muscle bike design spec
 
robtown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sterling VA
Posts: 3,688

Bikes: 70 Atala Record Proffesional, 00 Lemond, 08 Kestrel Evoke, 96 Colnago Master Olympic, 01 Colnago Ovalmaster, 76 Raleigh Gran Sport, 03 Fuji World, 86 Paramount, 90 Miyata CF, 09 Ritchey Breakaway CX, Bianchi Trofeo, 12 OutRiderUSA HyperLite

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by DrPete
The biggest "hill" on the Seagull is one bridge, so they sound quite similar.
Seagull is extremely flat but usually very windy and wet. I walked my bike over that bridge during the 2006 ride and had to hold on as the wind tried to pick it up.
__________________
Korval is Ships
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
robtown is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 09:05 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
BillK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Maryland suburbs outside Washington D.C.
Posts: 498

Bikes: '06 Specialized Roubiax Expert, '08 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 29, Nishiki frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by robtown
Seagull is extremely flat but usually very windy and wet. I walked my bike over that bridge during the 2006 ride and had to hold on as the wind tried to pick it up.
I rode my bike over, but had to "lean" sideways into the wind. Needless to say, I kept waiting for one really large gust to pick me and my bike up and toss us over the metal railing.
BillK is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 11:22 AM
  #15  
Keep on climbing
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Marlborough, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,193

Bikes: 2004 Calfee Tetra Pro

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Ryleeryno
I have no idea why my club calls it the Flattest Century of the East. I think its because of the route we take being mainly coastal with very little hills. Maybe they just named it "Flattest" to make it sound easier to ride.
They called it the "Flattest Century in the East" because when they first started doing the ride, it was the flattest century in the east.

Originally Posted by 2manybikes
It's not supposed to be the flattest. Just the flattest in the east. It certainly is in New England.
I'm not sure if TFCE is the flattest New England century anymore. The Tri-State Seacoast Century (out of Hampton Beach, NH) would have my vote for the flattest in New England.

But yeah, neither of those rides comes close to the epic flatness of the Seagull Century. But as others have said, the Seagull can be an absolute suffer-fest if the wind picks up.
KevinF is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 03:52 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138

Bikes: 2 many

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times in 169 Posts
Originally Posted by KevinF
They called it the "Flattest Century in the East" because when they first started doing the ride, it was the flattest century in the east.



I'm not sure if TFCE is the flattest New England century anymore. The Tri-State Seacoast Century (out of Hampton Beach, NH) would have my vote for the flattest in New England.

But yeah, neither of those rides comes close to the epic flatness of the Seagull Century. But as others have said, the Seagull can be an absolute suffer-fest if the wind picks up.
I agree the The Tri-State Seacoast Century is flater, I should have emphasised "was". TFCE was once upon a time.
2manybikes is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 09:15 PM
  #17  
On the Move
 
teterider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,219

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Lets get off the "flattest" issue. They know its not anymore and kept the name. Get over it.

I did it last year for the first time, and the last. Here is my assessment, although some things would likely be different from year to year.

-$30?? Way to expensive for crappy food at the rest stops. Well at least there's the crappy T-shirt.

-I knew the roads in the area, and they were as I expected. Lot of very rough asphalt made with shells or tar and gravel reseal. Even with a great vibration absorbing frame it got a little too much, and felt very slow in sections.

-So many people. I thought this would be great. There were 6 times more than the other century I did last year, and still it was the loneliest ride I've done. About 60 miles were spent riding alone. I passed lots and lots, and was passed a few times, but couldn't find anyone going about the same pace but for those 40 miles. Everytime a good group would form they would have yet another mandatory rest stop and break it up (this is likely to change from year to year depending on when you start). Rides when 500 people start at once are never lonely and always a group to be found. TFCE has 1800 people starting over 3 hours and it was slim pickings. They would be better off releasing packs every 15 minutes allowing groups to form better.

All in all - big dissappointment. Your results may obviously vary. If the winds aren't bad and you can find a group for a good portion of it then sub 5-hour ride times are easily in reach.

Much better centuries - Climb to the Clouds and Kings Tour of Quabbin.

Last edited by teterider; 04-21-07 at 09:49 PM.
teterider is offline  
Old 04-23-07, 09:32 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Hambone's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bootiful Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,023

Bikes: GT Edge for the road/Specialized Hopper (well the frame and the bb, everything else is new) for the dirt

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by teterider
$30?? Way to expensive for crappy food at the rest stops. Well at least there's the crappy T-shirt. <snip>
is it a fundraiser? I dont' mind paying an entry fee for a fundraiser.
Hambone is offline  
Old 04-23-07, 11:29 AM
  #19  
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,568

Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1099 Post(s)
Liked 2,132 Times in 1,438 Posts
Originally Posted by KevinF
They called it the "Flattest Century in the East" because when they first started doing the ride, it was the flattest century in the east.



I'm not sure if TFCE is the flattest New England century anymore. The Tri-State Seacoast Century (out of Hampton Beach, NH) would have my vote for the flattest in New England.

But yeah, neither of those rides comes close to the epic flatness of the Seagull Century. But as others have said, the Seagull can be an absolute suffer-fest if the wind picks up.
Actually there's another but smaller Maryland ride that goes in Delaware as well and essentially follows the same route but further north. It's as flat as the Seagull but doesn't have the bridge. It's the Bay to Bay on June 17 that goes from Betterton (on the Cheaspeake) to the Delaware Bay and back.
StanSeven is offline  
Old 04-23-07, 02:33 PM
  #20  
On the Move
 
teterider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,219

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Hambone
is it a fundraiser? I dont' mind paying an entry fee for a fundraiser.

No, not a fundraiser of any kind.
teterider is offline  
Old 04-23-07, 03:29 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 204
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm doing the Montauk Century on Long Island soon .. i heard it was mostly flats with a nice tailwind
supertj is offline  
Old 06-18-07, 01:37 PM
  #22  
Mmmmm Donuts!
 
FatguyRacer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Crownsville, MD
Posts: 2,069

Bikes: 1998 IF Crown Jewel

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Rode the Bay to Bay yesterday. Well, i got to Woodland Beach and had to get sagged because of broken wheel that couldnt be field repaired. Kind of a bummer, the weather was great, I was feeling good, riding solo with a nice 19 mph avg going at zone 3 HR pace, tunes playing on the Sansa. I may come out here by myself and take another stab at this century in a couple weeks.

Bay to Bay is flat, but the the Seagull Century is flatter.
__________________
John

'09 Cannondale CAAD9 - Team Latitude/ABRT Special.
'04 Lemond Victorie Ti
'98 IF Crown Jewel (dead)
'92 Trek2100 (TT)
'50 something Gino Bartali (fixer)
'02 Ducati ST4s (Moto-Ref mount)

My Blog

Last edited by FatguyRacer; 06-18-07 at 02:32 PM.
FatguyRacer is offline  
Old 06-18-07, 02:25 PM
  #23  
SpIn SpIn SuGaR!
 
FIVE ONE SIX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,078
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Hambone
so you may beat the Montauk Century.

Two bridges... (Three if you do the 145 miles!)
it's only flat until you hit Montauk, then it's rolling hills pretty much from the start of Montauk until you hit the lighthouse, if you go out to the lighthouse like myself and everyone else i know does. it's nothing major, but i wouldn't say it's totally flat, and they do start to hurt as you get closer to the lighthouse because they start to hit you at around the 96 mile mark. the bike leg of the Mighty Man Half tri out there is no joke, it's the toughest bike leg of any tri on long island...
FIVE ONE SIX is offline  
Old 06-18-07, 02:45 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Terex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 7600' Northern New Mexico
Posts: 3,680

Bikes: Specialized 6Fattie, Parlee Z5, Scott Addict

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times in 24 Posts
The Farmlands Century is an early season (May), flat ride in Monmouth County, NJ.
Terex is offline  
Old 06-18-07, 03:20 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Md
Posts: 155

Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Ultimate.....2003 KHS Flite 800......2002 Jamis Quest

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FatguyRacer
Rode the Bay to Bay yesterday. Well, i got to Woodland Beach and had to get sagged because of broken wheel that couldnt be field repaired. Kind of a bummer, the weather was great, I was feeling good, riding solo with a nice 19 mph avg going at zone 3 HR pace, tunes playing on the Sansa. I may come out here by myself and take another stab at this century in a couple weeks.

Bay to Bay is flat, but the the Seagull Century is flatter.

YES, the Seagull is flatter!! By the way,I rode the Bay to Bay yesterday too. 19.5 from Betterton to Woodland Beach .On the turnaround it became evident why the ride had been so effortless to that point. The breeze was on the nose all the way back and picked up as the day went on. The 19.5 dropped to 17.5 by the end of the day. While it was a beautiful day, my bike computer thermometer was indicating 95 degrees at around 1 pm. It may have been a little high. Nonetheless it was a delightful ride.
BikerJoeP is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.