DC Area Century Ride Recommendations?

[Anonymous]

I did the Indian Head 100 last year as my first organized century; or, really, organized ride at all, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but I enjoyed it and it seemed well run and it is close. Early September, which probably means hit or miss about meeting your not a billion degrees criteria. Quite a bit of shade and not too much climbing.

Also did vvill’s suggestion of WOD as my first actual (highly disorganized) century, which also worked well as a first attempt and to convince myself I could do it.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Long rides on the W&OD are an easy way to practice for a century, but doing a century on it alone can be a bit miserable IME. I occasionally ride out to Purcellville, since it’s an easy way to get the miles, but I stopped trying to turn those rides into centuries in the interest of my sanity. Doing it with one or two other folks makes a huge difference mentally, however, which can actually make it physically easier too.

[JimF22003]

The Oxon Hill Bike Club’s list is pretty good:

http://www.ohbike.org/events/

You just missed the St Mary’s Century, which is a nice flat ride. I’ve done the Bay Country Century a couple of times, and can recommend that one highly.

[Emm]

@JimF22003 118627 wrote:

The Oxon Hill Bike Club’s list is pretty good:

http://www.ohbike.org/events/

That is a really helpful list, thank you!

Based on feedback we’re waiting to hear from a friend about the seagull century. If their team (which we’d tag along with) is doing it, then that’s the plan. We have a friend who owns a condo in Ocean City so we can crash at her place I’m guessing. If not, we may look at the Cannonball Century just due to timing.

I’m going to avoid doing a century on the W&OD even though many of you recommended it. I biked 75 miles on it this past Saturday, and even with some music, multiple bananas and cereal bars, and stop at Green Lizard, it got quite boring. I’ll keep riding it every weekend, but I think if I had to do another 25 miles on it I’d cry.

[MFC]

I’m thinking of doing the Civil War Century (75-mile variant) but its still pretty far away. I will probably post something in August but may be up for training rides in July (because the temp. will be so pleasant). Hopefully, the other contributors to this board will post things as their plans get more concrete is they are looking for riding buddies.

[kwarkentien]

Beware that, diabolical as it is, the Civil War Century sells out rather quickly. If you really think you want to do it, don’t wait until the last minute to sign up or you probably won’t get in.

[consularrider]

I’ll give another thumbs up the the October 17 Martin’s Tour of Richmond (not the same date as the Seagull this year). One of the best supported rides I’ve ever done. This included outstanding law enforcement cooperation with control of anything remotely resembling a major intersection with priority to the cyclists. It is both urban and rural cycling and more interesting terrain than the Seagull without being overly strenuous.

[Kitty]

Has anyone done the Tour de Fredrick? I’ve picked that for my first century this year, but haven’t met anyone whose done it yet. It seems like a nice course with a visit to Gettysburg and 3 covered bridges, but I know nothing of the terrain or management.

The Bike to the Beach originally inspired me to go for the 100 miler, but the minimum $500 fundraising commitment scared me off…

[kwarkentien]

Haven’t done it but can guarantee it will be hilly.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@kwarkentien 120487 wrote:

Haven’t done it but can guarantee it will be hilly.

About 6,500 feet of climbing hilly, by the looks of it. Looks pretty lumpy overall, with a few serious climbs right in the middle.

[JimF22003]

Those routes are part of some popular Potomac Pedalers rides that I’ve done. Very pretty, very farmy. Not tons of shade out in farm country, so be prepared if it’s hot and humid.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Kitty 120464 wrote:

Has anyone done the Tour de Fredrick? I’ve picked that for my first century this year, but haven’t met anyone whose done it yet. It seems like a nice course with a visit to Gettysburg and 3 covered bridges, but I know nothing of the terrain or management.

The Bike to the Beach originally inspired me to go for the 100 miler, but the minimum $500 fundraising commitment scared me off…

Start the hill practice now! I’d be really tempted to try this one, but I’m out of town that weekend.

This is the route profile…picked randomly from those on Strava who’ve done it: https://www.strava.com/activities/754349841

[ewilliams0305]

Don’t be fooled into thinking hills = hard. Some of the hardest “long” rides I’ve done have been flat. They become mentally strenuous with very little out of saddle time. Hills can really help the mental challenges of a long ride. Having several small goals on a long ride will really help to break it up. I start to loose it when I can see miles down the road, it can feel like your never going to get there.

Of course too much climbing is a different story. anything with 50-70 feet per mile is OK, when it starts to exceed that and get around 100′ that’s when you need to worry.

The only organized Century I’ve done is the Seagull, I found the support to be over the top. It really makes that ride doable for people of any fitness level. Almost too much support, add to that a few cheering locals and you can’t fail.

One tip: Don’t think of a “long” ride as a distance to be achieved, this will surely drive you mad when you start to count miles. Instead, pick a pace your comfortable with, be it 13-15-17 mph. Factor how long the ride will take and accept the ride as a TIME. I will be riding for 8 hours not 100 miles. Time fly’s by when your having fun, miles don’t.

My 2cents…

[Kitty]

Thank you all for the great advice! As for the hills, I guess I take for granted that the DC area is “hilly” in my mind only because I’m from the midwest!

I guess I’ll be heading out to Potomac for some more hill climbing then! Unless you guys have some suggestions for other good hill routes around here.

[hozn]

It is hard to beat Potomac area; ride out River, make sure to include Berryville Rd in your route. Heck, you can go all the way to Sugarloaf and get 100mi in while training for the century! :)if you want real hills, Frederick / Catoctin Mtns is better, but Potomac is more accessible.

[Author]

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