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groth, the NYC Century is a difficult century because there are so many stops for red lights and other kinds of traffic. There are plenty of hills. They're not amazingly challenging hills, but combined with the stop-and-go, you will find them to present a challenge. I'm not discouraging you from taking your 3-speed, but don't expect it to be an easy ride.
Maybe you'll see me there. I'm participating as a marshal.