Dear Back Roads Century Riders!

Are you ready to roll? We are ready for you, and can't wait to get started. The weather for the weekend looks fabulous, the roads are marked and look great, and we are ready for a fantastic day of riding, eating, and enjoying ourselves!

 

Any last-minute updates or alerts will be posted on the Back Roads Century web site and, time permitting, by email. If there are any unexpected changes in weather, check there for updates.

 

To help make the day as easy as possible for you, here are some essential details to get you off to a smooth start:

• All routes open at 7:00 a.m. and rest stops start to open on a rolling basis after that. For riders doing the Century and longer routes, we encourage you to start early to give yourself plenty of time to finish the ride and enjoy the rest stops and views.
• If you registered AFTER August 30 and did not receive a bib number and wrist band in the mail,  check in at the Registration/Information Tent in Parking Lot H to pick up a number and wrist band. YOU MUST HAVE THE WRIST BAND TO GET FOOD AND OTHER SERVICES DURING THE RIDE AND THE PARTY.
• Regardless of when you registered, if you did not receive a bib number and wrist band in the mail, check in at the Registration/Information Tent in Parking Lot H to pick up a number and wrist band. YOU MUST HAVE THE WRIST BAND TO GET FOOD AND OTHER SERVICES DURING THE RIDE AND THE PARTY.
• There will be coffee and pastries for sale at the ride start area.
• Water and Gatorade will be available your water bottles.
• There will also be port-a-lets near the ride start.
• There will be pumps if you need air and bike mechanics if you discover a last-minute mechanical problem.
• A map of Shepherd University showing the parking areas and other key BRC locations can be found HERE.

• Parking is on Shepherd University in Lot H, with overflow in Lot J. A map showing those locations can be found HERE. 
• Shepherd University police and our volunteers will be directing traffic.  PLEASE FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS.
• Access to Shepherd University is off Shepherd Grade Road or WV 45 as marked on the map. West Campus Drive, which we used last year, will be closed to our cars for the safety of departing riders.

• Don't forget your helmet, shoes, bike, wheels, and riding kit!
• Check your bike on Friday or Saturday to make sure it is working well, tires are pumped up, and chain is lubed! Don't get a late start on Sunday because you forgot to check!
• Bring a tube, inflation device, and a multi-tool.
• Weather is forecast to be sunny and warm (highs in the low 80s). Bring sunscreen, water bottles, and whatever you need to stay comfortable on the ride.
• Please review our Rider Behavior Policy . Everyone will have a better ride if we all follow the policy. We are proud to have virtually no complaints from the community last year, and are counting on you to ensure that we are welcomed back next year. In addition to providing roadside assistance, our Ride Marshals will be enforcing the Policy, so please cooperate with them to make the ride enjoyable for your fellow riders and our host communities.

• Details about the routes and ride can be found in our Rider Guidebook and on the Ride Details page HERE.
• Cue sheets, links to RideWithGPS routes, and downloadable GPS files can be found HERE. We will have only a limited number of cue sheets available at the start so please print out your cue sheet or load the route into your GPS in advance.
• Details about our rest stops can be found HERE.
• We will have SAG support on the road as well as Ride Marshals to help with any incidents.  If you need medical attention CALL 911 first. For other help, call one of the SAG numbers on the cue sheets.  We will also have bike mechanics at all rest stops if you have a mechanical issue on the ride.

• There is a lot to do in Shepherdstown and the surrounding area. Come up early on Saturday and enjoy what the area has to offer. Check it out HERE
• We have two special PPTC club rides on Saturday of 15 and 35 miles on the beautiful roads in Maryland near the Antietam Battlefield, just across the Potomac from Shepherdstown.  Both rides feature rest stops at Nutter's Ice Cream and a visit to Antietam Creek Winery.  Come out early and join us!  Details are HERE.
• We are having a casual party at Town Run Tavern on Saturday night. Even if you have not registered for that buffet, stop by before or after dinner at another of Shepherdstown's lively restaurants and join us for music, a beer, and some pre-ride conversation.

• The After-Ride Party is at Popodicon Mansion next to Parking Lot H.  Keep your wrist band on and join us for food, music, and a well-deserved rest.  Massages will be available at posted rates.
• Showers will be available in the Shepherd University Wellness Center a short walk from Parking Lot H.  Please do not wear cleats or bike shoes into the Wellness Center.  Also, please consider leaving a small donation to say thank you for the service!
• Event jerseys will remain on sale through September 25, with delivery in ate October or early November.  Order your jersey HERE.