I’ve done it twice including last year in the rain and the year prior in the heat. I didn’t notice or hear of any problems with the markings and never really had issues with navigation. I believe I used a cue sheet. A couple of thoughts…
The ride starts with a very long climb which is no fun if you like to warm up a bit. Definitely think about getting in some pre-start riding around the start area/around town before if that’s a thing for you. I think it’s about 5-7 miles but not very steep. Mostly about 5-7%.
The weather is key. Two years ago it was very hot and I didn’t drink enough water. The first rest stop is about 25 miles in and there’s a ton of climbing before that. I was through my two bottles before that and should have drank a couple of extra before hitting the road again. I ended up cramping bad between miles 40 and about 60 which was kinda of brutal. Really think hard about your hydration and force yourself to drink and drink and drink if it’s hot at all.
Oh yeah, I did have a problem the first year with a wrong turn. There’s a bail out route around mile 60 or 65 that takes you down the hill back to the start. I was following some people that took that and ended up riding about 3 miles down before realizing and then had to turn around and ride back up to re-join the course.
There’s a rest stop before Gettysburg around mile 70 or 75. If you make it there you are good to go. The final 25 miles or so is pretty much just mild rollers all the way in.
Good luck and have fun! It’s a great ride. Beautiful roads. There’s tons of people so you never feel alone but without a mass start it also doesn’t feel crowded except maybe that first rest stop.
.
