I've done some touring through Delmarva and it is about as optimal of a place for anyone looking to dip their toes in riding a century. Granted, you should still be prepared, but it is going to be a *much* friendlier grade than western PA.
yeah, from looking at the que sheets, its mostly along the coast so fairly flat for sure.
they had like 8,000+ riders last year.
Just got back from DelMarVa. did a lot of riding. Conditions are GREAT for riding, but the headwinds can be challenging in some of the more exposed areas. Still, nothing close to a hill anywhere in sight.
It will be a great ride. Be sure to bring sunglasses and lots of water. The wind can be really dehydrating.
Are they sure the roads they are planning on using are still there?
Delmarva peninsula largely spared by Irene. Timing, wind such that water mostly forced OUT of Chesapeake Bay, from what I hear. And start point at Salisbury is a good ways inland.
This is an awesome ride and was my fastest century ever! Highly recommended.
I,ve done this ride 3 times very well supported and a good ride. Mostly Flat but windy so if you luck out with the tail wind it can be a very fast century
yeah, i've read the way home tends to be a head wind the whole way.
Man that looks like a sweet ride, way too much on my plate this fall though.
Ok, next weekend, anybody else going?
I'm going down for my 5th time this weekend. It's a really fun ride that's supported well. It's fun to have Salisbury U cheerleaders cheering you across the finish line. Like the others said, it's crazy flat and the wind can make it a lot harder or easier. It's also fun to see how much pie and ice cream you can eat at the last stop and keep it down for another 20 miles.
A couple of safety tips. The traffic is generally not too bad but you really have to be alert from other riders. With 8k you have an interesting mix of inexperienced riders going slow and tending to swerve randomly, club pacelines blasting through them at 25mph+, people flying through crowds with aerobars and trisuits, etc. It seems every year i've heard about a paceline being taken out. Also, the very end is a little funky where you go down a tunnel under the the street. It's a left turn and it comes up on you guick. I've seen a few people wipe out there. That said, it's a blast and mostly on roads with hardly any traffic. A few of the locals will be out to cheer you on. You'll also have a good shot at seeing wild ponies if you're heading out to Assateague Island.
yeah, i plan to do the Assat. ride.
My buddies all bagged on me so i'm going solo. I'm staying at the HAmpt. inn. in seaford.
i saw they don't expect rain but 20mph winds off the water.
i'm leaving on FRI around 10:15.
ride went well except for the wind. we had to battle a 20-30mph wind the entire way home(37 miles).
finished in 5:40 so i was happy with that.
