DC Area Century Ride Recommendations?

[Emm]

I’m finally at the point where I’m pretty sure I could handle a century ride, and I’m looking for recommendations for DC area ones. I’m looking for a supported ride, preferably in the fall so it’s not 17 billion degrees outside.

So far using google and this forum I’ve found:
Cannonball Century in Stafford, MD
Seagull Century in Salsbury MD
BackRoads Century in WV

Based solely on awesomeness of t-shirt, the Cannonball Century looks the best, but I’m not familiar with how hilly, well supported, or fun any of these are, or if there are other good options.

So…do any of you know of any other local-ish century rides, or have any thoughts about the 3 I listed above?

Topic

[AFHokie]

@Kitty 121158 wrote:

I had been looking at the Back Roads Century, but was holding off until WABA announces the date for the 50 States ride.

If someone else wants to jump in on AFHokie’s offer, by all means. But if 50 States isn’t that weekend and no one else has taken you up on that, I’ll drop you a line.

It’s all yours. I don’t see anything on the event website about transferring a registration, but worst case I can mail it or meet you at a coffee club, or Third Thursday, etc once I get it.

[consularrider]

@Kitty 121158 wrote:

I had been looking at the Back Roads Century, but was holding off until WABA announces the date for the 50 States ride.

If someone else wants to jump in on AFHokie’s offer, by all means. But if 50 States isn’t that weekend and no one else has taken you up on that, I’ll drop you a line.

I’ve twice done the 50 States/Back Roads Century in the same weekend. My only problem was the getting up early on Sunday morning.

[Kitty]

Thanks everyone! I’m still a little nervous about how long it takes me to do these training rides and how tired/sore I was in the close of the 80 on Saturday. I worry that I’ll finish so late I’ll miss the afterparty BBQ or even 4pm high-wheel race; or otherwise burn out on the last 20. Oh well. I guess we’ll see how it goes!

@AFHokie 121289 wrote:

It’s all yours. I don’t see anything on the event website about transferring a registration, but worst case I can mail it or meet you at a coffee club, or Third Thursday, etc once I get it.

I;m sorry man, I won’t be able to make it. I’ve learned we’ve got company coming from out of town that weekend. I hope someone else can take it on!

[Kitty]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9347[/ATTACH]

I DID IT!!! 😎

Thank you to everyone for your advice, it really helped! I went into it both super-excited, and a little nervous, but it was a fantastic experience. The weather was great starting out (though it got really really hot in the afternoon) and the volunteers incredibly friendly. I managed to finish in 8.5 hours. Not the first by any means, but not the last, and better than I was expecting.

[Anonymous]

I’ll be doing Reston if anyone’s looking for company to ride with for all or part of it.

[Boomer Cycles]

I will be a ride marshall for the Reston Century this Sunday, and know that SarahB and HF have also registered. I’m still trying to recruit Powerful Pete but he has been mumbling about house chores…

Go here if interested to join the RBC2015 century ride on 8/23 (full, metric or half metric distances)…http://www.washingtonareabikeforum.com/showthread.php?t=9150

[Boomer Cycles]

@Kitty 122175 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]9347[/ATTACH]

I DID IT!!! 😎

Thank you to everyone for your advice, it really helped! I went into it both super-excited, and a little nervous, but it was a fantastic experience. The weather was great starting out (though it got really really hot in the afternoon) and the volunteers incredibly friendly. I managed to finish in 8.5 hours. Not the first by any means, but not the last, and better than I was expecting.

Congrats, U crushed it!
Good to have met you on the TDF, and I look forward to seeing you at the WABA 50 States and Back roads Centuries (if not the Reston Bicycle Club Century beforehand:) Ride on!

[Boomer Cycles]

Centuries within 90+/- minutes driving from DC:

8/23: Reston century
Labor Day: Indian Head Century
9/12: WABA 50 States (metric) Century
9/13: 33rd Shenandoah Valley Century
9/19: Bike Shenandoah 2015
9/20: Backroads Century
???: Cannonball Century
10/3: 8th Culpepper Century
10/3: Seagull Century
10/31: Boomer’s Halloween Blue Ridge Mtn Challenge (half century, but could be extended to full century if popular demand)

[creadinger]

@Boomer2U 122535 wrote:

Centuries within 90+/- minutes driving from DC:

8/23: Reston century
Labor Day: Indian Head Century
9/12: WABA 50 States (metric) Century
9/13: 33rd Shenandoah Valley Century
9/19: Bike Shenandoah 2015
9/20: Backroads Century
???: Cannonball Century
10/3: 8th Culpepper Century
10/3: Seagull Century
10/31: Boomer’s Halloween Blue Ridge Mtn Challenge (half century, but could be extended to full century if popular demand)

In addition to that, here’s the fall 200K randonneur schedule (because if you can do 100 miles you can do 125 miles right?)!

9/12: North by Northwest, Frederick MD
10/3: Old Rag, Warrenton VA
11/7: Eastern shore flatbread, Centreville MD (Similar to Seagull but comes with 26 extra miles absolutely free!)
12/5: Woodbine Wallop, Woodbine MD

Link:
http://dcrand.org/dcr/calendar.php

[consularrider]

or you can come to Kyiv and join me for my Desna River century on Sunday.

[mikoglaces]

Just noticed this thread. I am putting in a plug for the Cannonball Century, held in Fredericksburg VA. This week it is the second Sunday in October. Slightly rolling, very rural, not that many riders. Going to do it on a tandem this year.

I am going to put in a plug for the Culpeper Century, which will be the first Saturday in October. Hillier than the Cannonball.

Has anyone done the Lakes and Grapes century, also out of Fredericksburg. It’s this Saturday.

[KLizotte]

@Boomer2U 122535 wrote:

Centuries within 90+/- minutes driving from DC:

8/23: Reston century
Labor Day: Indian Head Century
9/12: WABA 50 States (metric) Century
9/13: 33rd Shenandoah Valley Century
9/19: Bike Shenandoah 2015
9/20: Backroads Century
???: Cannonball Century
10/3: 8th Culpepper Century
10/3: Seagull Century
10/31: Boomer’s Halloween Blue Ridge Mtn Challenge (half century, but could be extended to full century if popular demand)

Please put on the forum’s calendar. Thanks!

[Kitty]

Man! I need to be sure to remember this thread next spring when I’m planning out my century schedule. If this year’s goal was complete one… who knows for next year. Two? Three? Travel? So many choices!

[Boomer Cycles]

@Kitty 123796 wrote:

Man! I need to be sure to remember this thread next spring when I’m planning out my century schedule. If this year’s goal was complete one… who knows for next year. Two? Three? Travel? So many choices!

You should join @SarahB 10-100-10 Club…10 century rides in 10 months…for next year, 2016:)

[Rod Smith]

Uh there’s only three month per season though.

[Author]

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