Civil War Century/Tour Riders

[creadinger]

Who else has been obsessively checking the weather forecast for NW MD on Saturday? It’s depressing to see it get worse and worse as the week has gone on. At least it’s not going to be ridiculously hot, but the rain threat has been only increasing.

So far it sounds like it will be a frontal system moving through so here’s to hoping that if it does rain, it will move quickly in and out in a (non-dangerous) line and leave us alone the rest of the day. Worst case I guess would be large-scale severe thunderstorms with strong winds, hail and lightning. That would not be a good situation with ~1600 cyclists out on the road.

Maybe the worst thing about the forecast so far is that the weather Sunday through Tuesday looks like it should be absolutely beautiful with the first signs of fall moving in. Why couldn’t that come just one day sooner? Sheesh!

Topic

[creadinger]

I’ll not be doing the Indian Head 100 today, but next Saturday I’m planning to take my wife on her first 100 mile ride ever at the St. Mary’s Century (formerly Amish 100). Anyone ever done this ride before? Doing it this year?

[JimF22003]

I’ve done the Am100/St Marys ride about 4 times I think. Very nice. Not terribly hilly. Probably won’t do it this year.

I need some alone time

[KS1G]

Didn’t see any of the forum members. Managed to leave early (6:40-ish) and made decent time to the Fairfield rest stop. Rode through leg cramps on the Jacks Mtn Rd climb. Caught my 2nd wind and was beginning to make better (for me at least) time. Got caught by the storm just inside Gettysburg Battlefield park. Spent about 10 minutes (per my Garmin) sheltering in some woods with 2 other riders. When the winds let up and I resumed riding, I saw a house about a 1/2 mile later that must have had 100 riders who’d tried to get out of the storm. Rest of ride spent dodging all the small debris and trying not to drink other rider’s rooster tails! Finished in 7hr 4 min moving, 8:16 total.

2wheel’s photo does not do the storm justice – it was an INTENSE several minutes. Kudos to everyone who rode, and to creadier for his brevet – I think I saw a few radonneurs out doing a different ride, as well as several on the CWC.

I was very glad I brought my vest & arm warmers – needed them for wind protection after the deluge [Didn’t bother with the shoe covers]. And the fenders (Crud Road Racer Mk2’s) worked fabulously.

I’m now 2 for 2 this season on centuries with epic weather events (Reston, CWC). Followed by GREAT weather the next day. I’m hoping PPTC Back Roads breaks the string. Or you can all assume I am cursed and plan accordingly.

[Dkeg]

Maybe not have been the smartest thing but I just rode through it. Got caught at mile 95. The rain felt like needles being grabbed into my eyes. But it passed pretty quicky. Did it in 6hr 30min. Not bad for only the 2nd time on a road bike in over 2 months. Next year I am going to ride a little more road before hand. Great route and ride. Well supported. My only downer this year, It was hard to find people to work with. We left earlier this year then in the past. So there was not as many people to try to ride and work with. Great Times

[Author]

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