I took my usual trek to the Delmarva peninsula ( Delaware-Maryland-Virginia ) this past weekend and did my fourth fixed gear century ride, and 49th overall century ride. It's a great three day weekend for me, which includes lots of crabs, a flat century ride, and a visit to mom at about her birthday time. This year I stayed in Cambridge, Maryland, and fueled up the night before the ride on crabs and beer at the Odyssey Crab House in Cambridge. The next day, Saturday, I was ready to ride, and we all left for the century ride at 7am. This is the largest century ride on the East Coast, with about 6,500 participants. Most of the ride is out in the countryside with wide open farmland areas over well maintained roads. It does not feel crowded.
I have to say that the support from Salisbury University was excellent in every way. The students were helpful, and all of the rest stops had plenty of snacks, fluids, and live music. There are two century route choices plus a 100k for those so inclined. For the second year I chose the Snow Hill Century route, which has no Atlantic beach rest stop, but is more scenic with less crowded roads overall. I live minutes from Fire Island, so beach access is not so important for me. Those living inland might feel differently. The stop at Public Landing has a long pier that extends into the surrounding bay, and is a great rest stop. I just could not stop eating oranges.
The ride would have been an easy flat century except for the tremendous 20-30 mph head and crosswinds that we all encountered along most of the route. I was the only one who rode in a fixed gear that I know of, although tandems and recumbents were there in good numbers. Nonetheless, this is a great century to do with a fixed gear, as there is no climbing to speak of. 
The last stop at Nassawango Country Club included Apple or Cherry pie, which was much appreciated by all after our dayling buffeting by the strong headwinds. Of course, the club is along the scenic Nassawango River.
Exhausted at the end,I had tons of crabs and beer to celebrate the completion of a usually easy century which became moderately difficult due to the prevailing conditions. I went to my favorite place, the Old Mill Crab House in Delmar. It is the best in the area in my opinion. The next day, fueled by local eggs and scrapple, I went to visit mom in Rockville Maryland. She will be 91 soon, and is going strong with 100% mental capacity. We met my brother Robert, his wife and son Linda and Richard, and our cousins Robert and Connie Gottlieb for a great lunch at the Matchbox in Rockville. Another fantastic mid October weekend has passed. That's it for organized rides for the season. I've been thinking about Cross Country Skiing lately...
