Sea Gull Century underway October 12

SALISBURY, MD ---The 14th annual Sea Gull Century on Saturday, October 12, brings nearly 7,000 cyclists to Delmarva, where they'll boost the economy and enjoy the Shore's scenery on a 100-kilometer or 100-mile ride that is the largest single-day tourism event on the Eastern Shore.

Starting and ending at Salisbury University, the Sea Gull Century got its start 14 years ago when 68 friends and cycling enthusiasts banded together to develop a 100-mile century ride. Ridership has grown steadily, and last year's ride attracted a record 7,406 riders. They come-some of them year after year-because of the terrain, the challenge, the food, the entertainment, the chance to explore a new area and the hundreds of volunteers who make the Sea Gull Century happen.

"Over the years, a lot of people have commented to us on how nice it is to ride 100 miles, cross that red carpet and find a lot of people cheering for you," said Dave Brown, chair of the Sea Gull Century Committee. "There are many groups on campus and in the community that spend a tremendous amount of time and effort to help pull this off, and that's one of the reasons the Sea Gull Century is a success."

This year's Century offers two routes: the Assateague Century (100 miles) and the UMES Metric (63 miles). These rides follow the same basic routes and rest stops offered in years past. Both routes begin and end at Salisbury University.

Always a popular Sea Gull Century attraction, the rest stops feature plenty of high carbohydrate food and eclectic music: Milburn Landing overlooks the beautiful Pocomoke River; Assateague Island is the midway point for the 100-milers, offering a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and a chance to glimpse the famous Chincoteague Ponies; and Adkins Mill Pond is the chance to fill up on pie a la mode before the final leg home.

A special feature this year is an exhibit and demonstration of antique bicycles by the Mt. Airy Highwheelers on Friday on campus.

For the fifth year, an original limited-edition artwork by a local artist adorns the Sea Gull Century brochure. This year, Lynne Lockhart depicts an 1893 highwheeler as it would appear in Berlin, MD, during the early 1900s. The artwork is available for sale through the University Galleries at 410-548-2547.

Proceeds from the Sea Gull Century support many student organizations and programs on campus, as well as local community groups. Exercise equipment has been purchased over the years for the SU Fitness Center with Century proceeds. Donations to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity are approaching $100,000 as a result of contributions made through the Century. Hundreds of area school children wear bicycle helmets donated by the Century. And, SU's Perdue School of Business has estimated the annual economic impact on the Lower Eastern Shore at $2.5 million.

The Sea Gull Century is a "Best Bicycling in America" event and was a National Century Challenge Winner in 1995 and 1993 by the League of American Bicyclists. The Sea Gull has also been named among the top 10 century rides in the nation by Bicycling magazine.

Century riders and their traveling companions begin arriving in Salisbury Friday, October 11, when there will be an informal ride to the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. On Saturday, October 14, riders leave the University on a show-and-go start from 7-9 a.m. on one of the two routes. Sunday, October 15, caps off the weekend with informal rides to the Red Roost and Old Mill crab houses.

For information on the Sea Gull Century, please call the Salisbury University Public Relations Office at 410-543-6030, or visit www.seagullcentury.org.