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SALISBURY, MD--The 13th annual Sea Gull Century on Saturday,  October 13, 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, the Sea Gull Century got its start 13 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 6,904 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. Volunteers are invaluable all along the route," 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 features the option of a new route, which will take riders through the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus in Princess Anne and past the Furnace Town Historic Site, with a full rest stop at Public Landing, overlooking the Chincoteague Bay. The day's last stop is at Milburn Landing on the Pocomoke River, where riders will enjoy the customary pie and ice cream break that helps give the Sea Gull Century its down-home appeal. More than 800 people have registered for the new route. 

This year's limited-edition Century print, by Berlin, MD, artist Patrick Henry, depicts Public Landing. "A lot of people have done Assateague for years, and this new route offers a little bit different scenery, a really beautiful ride through the country," Brown said. "This also disperses the riders. With 7,000 riders on the roads, we wanted to spread them out some to reduce the congestion on the roads, and at the rest stops." 

Riders can also choose the 63-mile Metric Century, added several years ago, or the original Assateague Island route, with rest stops that take in some of the Shore's prettiest waterways and the famous wild ponies and Atlantic Ocean beach of Assateague. Whichever route a rider elects to take, the rider can be assured of outstanding hospitality and ride support as they peddle along the pleasingly flat and rural terrain of Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Century riders and their traveling companions begin arriving in ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Friday, October 12, when there will be an informal ride to the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. On Saturday, October 13, riders leave the University on a show-and-go start from 7-9 a.m. on one of the three routes. The ride ends at the University where the tired but triumphant riders can enjoy vendor booths, full gym services, light fare and a beer garden. A post-ride buffet, U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors concert open to everyone, and a '60s dance for Century attendees rounds out the busy day. Sunday, October 14, 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 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Public Relations office at 410-543-6030,or visit www.seagullcentury.org.