Salisbury, MD, 4:37 PM, October 4, 2008
Team R2R crosses the finish line of the season's final marquis event, The Seagull Century.
Six hours after our start, we completed the 101 mile tour of the Eastern Shore in glorious riding conditions; low 70's, Fall sunshine and gentle breezes to match the gentle terrain.
"Flat Bastard" a.k.a. James Thomson a.k.a "Great Scot" was neither flat nor fat! Most impressive was his overall accomplishment and bursts of pace despite virtually no training, lending credibility to the "being fresh" theory of event preparation. Highlights for me personally were completing the century with no soreness or real fatigue. Lowlights included a calf cramp at mile 40 that I stretched, supplemented and spun my way through ... and then tipping over 6" from the finishing line when the rider directly in front of me locked up his brakes precisely upon his completion of the ride, bringing me right into his back wheel and right onto the ground, after bouncing off the edge of the finishing gate inflatable, all while clipped in of course(funny/sad) ... collar bone intact though so all is well that ends (well. almost ends) well.
Thanks to Steve for setting up this year's event logistics and encouraging James and I to participate. The event is well organized and attended (6,400 + riders).
The road report is that this is a fun and very "do-able" century. The enormous volume of riders just sort of sweeps one along and the well-staged rest stops are perfectly placed to break up the distance. The beer paddock at the event finale are Scottish-Soccer-Hooligan-Approved as well!
Thank you to all R2R ride sponsors ... we appreciate the added incentive during these long hauls. Please contact us to see about having your logo or name included on next year's team jersey.
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