The # 1 question that we receive is "How hard are the routes".  The answer is "They're not easy".  The Back Roads Century is considered moderately hilly - up and down hills, however there are no mountain climbs.  Here is an overview of each route so that you can decide which one is appropriate for you.

25 Mile - Quarter Century

This is the flattest and easiest route we offer.  There's only 950 feet of climbing which makes it suitable for most casual cyclists.  Rest stop is at mile 13-Burwell-Morgan Mill. 

30 Mile - Extended Quarter Century 

This is the same route as our 25 mile ride, plus we've added a section that parallels the Shenandoah River.  The hills next to the river could pose some difficulty because they're steep, so you want to be sure you can handle the climbs.  There's a total of 1,400 feet of climbing on this route.  Rest stop is at mile 13-Burwell-Morgan Mill.

50 Mile - Half Century  

There are no long climbs however you'll encounter lots of short, steep hills of 5-10% or more.  The 50 mile route is also the second half of the full 100 mile Century.  Total vertical climb is 2,500 feet. Rest stops are at mile 13-Burwell-Morgan Mill, and mile 28-White Post Restorations. 

65 Mile - Metric Century 

This may actually be the the most difficult of our routes because of the climbs - and it's also one of our most popular!  The Metric Century has all of the short, steep hills of the 50 mile ride, plus one long climb between miles 27 and 30.  We have a rest stop strategically located at mile 30, right at the top of the long climb.  Total vertical is 3,000 feet.  Rest stops are at mile 13-Burwell-Morgan Mill, mile 30-Fairfview Church, and mile 43-White Post Restorations. 

100 Mile - English Century

The full Century has a total vertical climb of 4,700 feet which is considered moderately hilly.  The first half is 2,200 vertical, and the hills are more gradual than the second half of the Century.  Therefore the first half is the easier of the two.  The second half of the Century has lots of short, steep hills in the 5-10% range or more, so be sure to save some energy for the second half of your ride.  Rest stops are at mile 28-South Jefferson Elementary, mile-50 Clarke County High School, mile 63-Burwell-Morgan Mill and mile 78-White Post Restorations. 

Here is a link to route maps which show elevation profiles.

Here is a link to cues sheets which detail routes and rest stops. 

Yes, you are free to choose any route at any time.  We realize that you may have planned on riding one distance, and circumstances now dictate that you'll be riding something different.  No problem!

During registration we asked you what distance you were riding so that we can plan food at each of our rest stops.  Different stops are on different routes.  We find that just as many riders move up in distance (65 to 100) as down (100 to 65), therefore it tends to even out.

So don't worry about what distance you told us during registration.  Just pick a route and have fun! 

Hate riding alone?  No problem! 

We'll be offering group rides at the Back Roads Century with Potomac Pedalers members leading the way.  Last year this was so well received, that we're looking to expand to more ride leaders in all distances this year - 25, 30, 50, 65 and 100 miles.  We'll announce the ride leaders and ride schedule later this summer, and you'll be able to register online for a "ride within a ride".

There will not be an extra charge to register for group-led rides at the Century.   You just need to be registered for the Century itself. 

If you're a Potomac Pedalers member and you would like to lead a ride at any distance, please contact us.  We'll schedule a group ride at the distance and pace of your choice.   This is a great way to meet new riders and to help our participants have a memorable day. 

It's important for cyclists riding different distances to start at different times.  That way you'll be paired up with riders going the same speed and distance as you.  This makes it more fun for everybody.     

Faster Century riders (20+mph) don't want to be passing casual cyclists who are riding at 12 mph.  It creates congestion.  And slower riders can become uncomfortable with groups of fast cyclists zooming by.

That's why it's best for everyone to stagger their starting time, and we've developed the following guidelines after many years of experience -  

• 7:00am - 7:30am - 100 Mile English Century Riders
• 7:30am - 8:00am - 65 Mile Metric Century Riders
• 8:00am - 8:30am - 50 Mile Half Century Riders
• 8:30am - 9:00am - 30 Mile Extended Quarter Century Riders 
• 9:00am - 9:30am - 25 Mile Quarter Century Riders 

Also, our post-ride cookout starts at noon, so you don't want to finish your ride too early; especially if you plan on doing the 25 or 30 mile rides. 

We have plenty of free parking, so don't worry about arriving later.  We actually encourage it!  

We'll be mailing your rider number the first week of September, so don't plan on receiving anything from us before that date.  And no, it isn't necessary for you to have a bicycle mailbox - but it helps! 

We'll send you a notification e-mail when rider numbers have been mailed. 

The Back Roads Century wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our our sponsors.  Please keep these merchants in mind when you're in the market for cycling products or services.

If you haven't already ordered you 2011 Back Roads Century jersey, there's no time like the present.  We have both men's and women's sizes available.  

Jerseys purchased online may be picked up at the Back Roads Century any time of day - before or after your ride.  We will not be shipping jerseys in advance of the ride.
 

You'll be the envy of your fellow riders when they see you in this beautiful cycling jersey, which highlights some of the unique features of our ride.  

On the front are rolling hills, farmland, horses and cyclists.  And prominently displayed, is the White Post street marker which you'll see at the intersection of White Post Road and Berry's Ferry Road.  The post was originally placed by George Washington, under the direction of Lord Fairfax in 1750.

We have Back Roads Century logo gear available for purchase in our online store.  You can purchase  any of these items during registration in one transaction, or you can come back later to place your order.   

All items purchased online may be picked up at the Back Roads Century.  We will not be shipping orders in advance of the ride.

Presenting our Back Roads Century logo t-shirt.  This is the same shirt that you'll receive free with your paid registration.  Go to our online store and stock up if you would like to have more than one.

Click here to purchase or to view a larger image

Presenting our Back Roads Century long sleeve logo t-shirt.  This shirt is 100% cotton and has the words Back Roads Century, Berryville, VA and 2011 printed on the front.

 Click here to purchase or to view a larger image 

Presenting our Back Roads Century hooded sweatshirt with full zipper.  It has our logo stitched on the front for a really elegant look.

Click here to purchase or to view a larger image.   

Presenting our Back Roads Century water bottles.  This is the same bottle that you'll receive free with your paid registration.  Go to our online store and stock up if you would like to have more than one.

Click here to purchase or to view a larger image.  

All items purchased online may be picked up at the Back Roads Century.  We will not be shipping orders in advance of the ride.

If you're not currently a Potomac Pedalers member, then consider joining our club.

We offer over 1,000 group rides each year for cyclists of all ability levels.  Take one look at our ride schedule and you'll soon see that no other cycling organization can match the incredible quantity, quality and variety of rides that we offer. 

Every Saturday and Sunday we have rides all throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC region - DC, MD and VA.  We even offer after-work rides during the week, so that you can get in that one extra weekday ride for fun and exercise.

It doesn't matter if you like to leisurely cruise on bike paths, or challenge your friends to see who's fastest on the road.  We have rides for cyclists of all ability levels, so that you're sure to find that perfect ride - and with perfect companionship as well.

In addition to our expansive ride schedule, we host several cycling get-away weekends each year.  These could include the beach, the mountains or even camping.  And best of all, Potomac Pedalers members receive discounts for all of our events requiring overnight hotel stays.

Our website at www.PotomacPedalers.org is unparalleled in the cycling community.  And the best features of our website are located inside of the members-only areas.  Not only will you see our complete ride schedule, but it's the incredible array of social networking tools that we offer, which you won't find anywhere else.  You can post in our forums; create your own Blogs; advertise cycling gear for sale; subscribe to RSS feeds and more.  But this is just scratching the surface of what we offer.

The list of social networking tools that we offer is extensive.  So when you join Potomac Pedalers, you're not just joining a cycling club, you're joining a community.  Because ultimately our organization is all about people - people who love to ride, just like you.

Welcome to our club and let us know how we can make your experience with us, a rewarding and memorable one.

As a member you will receive the following benefits -

• Over 1,000 group rides each year
• Member discounts on all of our weekend get-away cycling trips
• Member discount on our Back Road Century ride, held every fall in Virginia 
• Discounts from numerous bike shops and traveling organizations throughout DC, MD and VA
• Our cue sheet library with hundreds of rides developed by our members
• Our monthly newsletter "Pedal Patter"
• Access to the members-only areas of our incredible website
• Discounted Bicycle travel box rentals 
• Camaraderie, friendship and fun!

Join Now