MaxKatt

Perhaps most important, how are we defining “century” in metric century?

t2p

if it was raining at the start and forecast to continue - I would skip the ride

I’ve done a few long rides in the rain and would not recommend it

against some of the previous recommendations - I would wear a waterproof shell of some sort ... eVent ... PI Zephyr ... lightweight Gore windstopper or Gore Tex ... something ... I would at least start the ride with the shell

regular bike shorts ... don’t recall if there is anything better ? ...

remainder of the gear would be lightweight hydrophobic and / or something with wool blend ... polypropylene ... thermastat ? ... silk ... dri-fit ... clima-cool ... ? ... man-made something or another ... ? ...

wool is one of the only natural fibers that can keep you warm when it gets wet - but that might not be an issue here ?

t2p

my definition:

100 K / approx 65 miles ...

???

JohnDThompson 

Mudguards, for sure.

Reynolds 

Not strictly"dress", but I'd be sure to use some cream to avoid butt chafing - that can be a PITA riding for a long time in the rain...

MaxKatt

I was referencing and making fun of another thread here with regards to how to define a century. Believe it or not that thread is now six pages long.

Suffice to say if OP pauses too long for a snack, he doesn’t get a metric century.

eljayski 

Well, a few posters have counseled against even doing the ride . . . can't say I'm thrilled at the prospect of 5+ hours sitting on a bike in the rain . . . after driving 1800 miles for the privilege.

Tough call . . . I'll keep my eye on the weather forecast. May be a kosmic message that I should consider Orange Beach, AL and environs for a warm, oceanic getaway.

All I'd loose is my $125 registration fee. OTOH, I've been looking forward to this ride since I happened upon it back in January. Drat!

Iride01 

If it's just rain, I'll ride. If it's lightning though from thunderstorms, I'll likely stay home.

pdlamb

I wouldn't necessarily cancel just because of rain in the forecast. For one thing, you're too far out to believe the weatherman. For another, I rode one century when it rained at least half the time. It was great! I had a jacket and fenders, and it was warm (but not hot). Even though it was "rainy," I had some great views; support was super, especially since they had planned for some 3X the actual number of riders.

If you're prepared and have a good attitude, you can have a wonderful bike ride regardless of the weather.

t2p

be careful and cautious if you do ride in the rain because bad things more likely to happen - if not you could be someone near / in front of you ... painted lines on the roads can be a challenge ... rail road crossings ...

and look forward to a mess if you do the ride in the rain ... if you are not too ‘picky’ - no problem - but otherwise ... ?

my bikes were a disaster after the long rain rides - everything full of grit etc ... number of hours to disassemble / clean ... headset, wheel bearings etc ... bar tape trashed ... seats trashed (white Turbo and white Flite looked like they had been ridden for 20 years) ...

and can not recall because it was so long ago - but might have been the only time I had a saddle sore or similar

Jughed

OCMD - you can't predict weather 4 days out, let alone 2 weeks out.

Jughed

Then we would never ride around here!! Seems like just about every ride this winter/spring had 20+ mph gusts, many days were 30+.

Coastal living...

eljayski 

Thanks to everyone for their comments!

After sleeping on it, I still want to do the Ocean City ride. Looking at getting a pair of fenders for the bike. Seems like a cost-effective improvement to the venture.

Iride01 

Fenders might be nice when in the rain. But you don't get that distinctive dirty streak down the back of your jersey that lets everyone know how badass you are.

Don't skip the ride just because you can't find fenders. I've not been bothered by the spray on my back.

eljayski 

Thank you for the encouragement. Getting fenders installed at REI this afternoon! Guarantees dry weather on ride day . . .

79pmooney

I've done a few rides in the rain that I'll remember forever. I am in no rush to do them again but I have zero regrets I did them. My first open (and real) race. The Maine International. A big contingent of Canadians and there was a lot of French spoken. Started raining 10pm the night before. Ended a couple of hours after we finished. As wet as I've ever been on a bike. We spent miles alongside the Kennebec River. I bet every one of us had the thought that they could just veer right and they wouldn't get any wetter. Peloton conversations focused on matters like what tires tasted best. (I was riding orange tread sewups. Pretty sure I had the best tasting there.) At the finish there was a park across from the line. Every bush had three riders behind it watering the lawn. Got home and found all my bearings were grease free.

My Peter Mooney did two early rides solo in rain. Into the Santa Cruz mountains and down Alba Road with inch deep rivers running across it. Around Seattle's Lake Washington where I got caught in the biggest shower I've ever ridden in. I had the outdoor world completely to myself. No cars, people, animals ... (Pretty sure the frogs sought out shelter.)

The Harvest Century a few years ago. Didn't rain the entire ride, but most of it. Hadn't done it for decades and got reminded that the ride was run by volunteers to raise money for health care to the poor, that the volunteers were the hands-on folk who delivered that care and that they were passionate about both their work/cause and the ride. Yes, we all got very wet but their love at every rest stop kept us going. (And I got reminded: they put on a great ride; different but they'd been doing it forever with little turnover of volunteers and took making it good seriously.)

livedarklions

Hope you enjoy it, rain or shine!

Maybe have a plan B if the weather prediction gets worse.

livedarklions

It's the old "if you want a bus to come right away, light a cigarette" strategy.

pdlamb

Don't put on sunscreen. Don't even take any. That stuff is a rain magnet!

wolfchild

There is absolutely nothing hardcore or badass about riding without fenders and getting splattered with road grime or mud.

wolfchild

This is complete BS....You are seriously blowing things out of proportion.

jaxgtr

Now, it's not like this ride is this weekend. With it being 2 week away, and the fact the forecasting 48 hours away is a challenge, I would not worry about it until it get closer.

shelbyfv

I once did a very hilly century (100mi) in the rain. What sticks in my mind beyond being cold and terrified on the descents is how filthy the bike got. Chain, cassette, RD were covered with grit. I dumped a couple of bottles of water over it all about half way.

staehpj1

A forecast more than 48 hours out is pretty unreliable, but right now the weather channel says it will be "Partly cloudy. High 69F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph." You can't ask for a whole lot btter than that.

That forecast is far off enough to change more than once. The Maryland Eastern Shore is very flat so no hills, but the winds can really howl in that open country. Having some experience there, I'd be more worried about the wind than a little rain unless maybe it is torrential. I never found riding in the rain to be a big hardship unless it was pretty cold. So I'd be watching the wind more than the rain.

Jughed

I ride in the area where the OP is headed. Rode in the rain, with wet lube like like you are "supposed" to use in those conditions.

Many of the rides there do a loop out on to Assateague island - undeveloped barrier island, sand, sand dunes and a road - thats it. Get a north east wind blowing off the ocean with rain - your bike comes out encrusted in sandy salt water. Add wet lube to that equation and you have a complete mess - near complete teardown of the bike required to get all of the salt water and sand out of everywhere. It gets everywhere and will rust anything.

I had to throw my chain away after one ride.

So no, its not complete BS.