Seagull Century

Seagull Century Salisbury, MD
October 4th, 2008

On October 4th, my father and I will be riding in our 3rd annual Seagull Century. The previous years haven't been too hard on us. The first year the temperatures were in the 40's and the wind and rain was terrible. We made it through the 100 miles in 7 hours and 24 minutes. Last years ride was beautiful with temperatures in the upper 70's and sunshine. We improved more than I could ever imagine and broke the six hour mark with a time of 5 hours and 21 minutes. We averaged 18+ mph for the ride. This year I want to try to get as close to the 5 hour mark as we can and possibly break it. The ride is calling for approximately 6,000 riders again for this year. I will take as many pictures as possible and we will do our best.

2007 Seagull Century

" Even in the midst of a hard day on a bike, beneath every pain and stress is the sense of relief and pleasure that I'm able to ride again. I ride to prove that in a scientific and highly mechanized era, the human body is still a marvel. In cycling there is no outer skin of metal to protect you from the elements. You have only your flimsy clothing, and this makes it a sport that is as sensuous as it is severe. The cyclist experiences great beauty, sublime views, and the swooping exhilaration of a mountain descent, but there's a penalty on the body for cycling, too, a physical toll in exchange for the beauty of the trip that reminds riders they're human.

A bicycle, no matter how elaborate the technology or how advanced the composite that it's made of, remains driven by the body. There is something fundamental about a bike: a frame with a crank, a chain and two wheels, powered by nothing more than my own legs. On a bike, you are under you own power, directed by your own hand. Your motor is yourself."

Lance Armstrong