Civil War Century 2014

[sethpo]

So, who’s going?

Topic

[JimF22003]

I’m in. I was going to skip this year (this will be my fifth, I think) but then I heard they were changing the route. Hopefully a little variety will put some spice back into it

Looks like we might get a taste of something like that huuuuuge thunderstorm we had two years ago. That was about the worst weather I’ve ever ridden through. Actually I had to get off the bike and huddle beneath some trees, because the wind was blowing so strong.

[creadinger]

@JimF22003 93762 wrote:

Looks like we might get a taste of something like that huuuuuge thunderstorm we had two years ago.

That was the year that DCRand was doing the Civil War Tour 200K on the same day I think right? I made it to a 7-11 in Gettysburg right as a storm hit, so I was lucky.

This front coming in could be violent. You don’t force out summer and bring in fall over a 6-hour span without a violent clash of wind, storms, rain, and lightning. Keep an eye to the skies and the radar app on your smart phones.

[PeteD]

I’m in. Just making sure to pack the Ziploc wallet, and the rain gilet.

[KS1G]

How’d it go for everyone? While my time was NOT that impressive, it was a good ride. Other than having to walk part of Steelman Marker Rd (the shorter & steeper substitute for Jack’s Mtn Rd) due to both legs deciding it was a good time for ful cramps (this seems to be a theme for me around mile 70-80 of hilly centuries). I miss the sections around Sharpsburg and the Anteitam battlefield (passing McLellan’s HQ isn’t the same), but think I liked the new route overall. (Not that I have a say in it.) Had an overlong stop at Barlow while the storm came through to the south. Very glad I waited. My experience in 2012 at Reston (2 storms, caught out in 2nd) & the Civil War (caught just shy of G’burg battlefield with only the woods to the left for “what the heck am I doing caught out in THIS!?” cover) were plenty for being out when a storm rolls through. Vest & water-resistant shoe covers stayed in the jersey pockets this time.

I liked the tomato sandwiches at Fairfield (not as good as the PPTC ones but I was ready for a PBJ alternative). And the absence of yellow jackets this year.

A lot of people were clearly affected by the heat & humidity, and the lack of comparable weather this summer to get acclimated. I spoke with one of the ham radio ops at Barlow; she told me that earlier in the day, all the SAGs were full transporting riders who couldn’t continue.

Unusual bike sightings: 1 recumbent on the century route (wonder how he managed on Steelman?) and a tandem post-ride that did most of the century (I forget if they told me they took the bailout or not). Met a guy at Fairfield who was doing his first century ever – looked like he had paid attention to his prep and was going to finish well. In case you passed me (because I didn’t pass many people until the shorter routes joined), I was riding a black November frame & wearing an HPC jersey.

[JimF22003]

Sounds like we had very similar experiences. I don’t usually have really terrible cramping problems, but it was bad on Saturday. I started getting them at about mile 50 and they just got worse. I also confess to walking a very short stretch of Steelman Marker. I thought it was going further than it actually did around that last corner, so maybe I could have made it, but we won’t know now till next year

I thought I was keeping fairly well hydrated, but I really wasn’t. At Fairfield I tried to “go” but I couldn’t. I actually got the shivers at one point and got a bit light-headed.

I had left the last rest stop before the rain started, so i got pretty soaked. Luckily I never had to ride though an actual downpour, although there was lightning and thunder all around.

Here’s my Garmin history:

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/584316884

[sethpo]

Also cramps. Having that first rest stop 30 miles in with really nowhere obvious to stop and get water earlier plus that first long climb to start the day was too much in that heat. I didn’t realize I was in “trouble” at the first stop though so I didn’t slam a few extra water bottles before heading back out. I started cramping around mile 40 and didn’t really manage to shake them (alternating hamstrings) until the Fairfield stop (mile 75) where I waited out the early storm. I did manage to miss all the rain.

Overall, I can’t complain. I felt really strong in the final 25 miles and was pushing some good speed right up to the end. And that Steelman Marker Rd was just brutal and cruel. I made it without getting off the bike but at a speed similar to a crawling child.

The worst was following a few riders down the hill on the bailout around mile 60 just over the PA line and having to turn around and climb back up a few miles. Ugh. It was a tough day.

Here’s my Strava:
http://app.strava.com/activities/190825011

and some pics:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]6569[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6570[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6571[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]6572[/ATTACH]

[JimF22003]

@sethpo 94015 wrote:

The worst was following a few riders down the hill on the bailout around mile 60 just over the PA line and having to turn around and climb back up a few miles.

Yeah, I saw you were going for the bonus miles

Someday you should come back and try that route though. It’s a really, really fun downhill run back into Thurmont from Ft Richey. Also the ride through the park that goes right past Camp David is cool too (when the road is open and the Prez is away.)

[KS1G]

Nice photos Seth. And a nice ride. Congrats. Don’t think we saw each other (I would have remembered your very distinctive jersey!). I’ve done the ride before, so I knew roughly where the bailout was located (I think it was moved slightly from 2012). Stopped there to do a quick assessment of me & the weather before deciding to continue.

1st time I did the ride (2010 or 2011), I missed the right after the Gathland rest stop (your 3rd pix). Climbing back up THAT hill was NOT fun!

And since we’re sharing, my results: http://app.strava.com/activities/190856998

Jim – I will have to try the bailout someday – looks very inviting (and had the weather been deteriorating, I may have taken it).

[Author]

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