Savage Century

2023 Savage, Saturday October 7th

 
The White Clay Bicycle Club invites you to come out and take the challenge as it once again hosts the 44th annual Savage Century ride, one of the most scenic and challenging rides in our area (especially if you choose one of the longer routes). Select a route – approximately 40, 80, or 100 miles – and enjoy one of the premier rides in the mid-Atlantic region hosted by the White Clay Bicycle Club.

The 40-mile (approx 2300 ft of climb) and 80-mile loops (approx 5150 ft of climb) have a few shorter climbs, while the major hills are on the 100-mile loop!  The 100 mile loop had ~7500 feet of climb for 2021.

Many have enjoyed the challenge of the Savage as a “ride of passage”, while others return year after year to simply enjoy  the rural beauty of Chester and Lancaster Counties – from the simple  charm of Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish farmlands to the scenic vistas from the hills along the Susquehanna River. Warm up on the rolling hills heading west out of Newark, DE toward Nottingham, PA. Then head for the hills and put your training to the test, on the infamous Slate Hill, Bradys Hill, Pilgrims Pathway, and Furniss Road!

For those new to the Savage Century, it is recommended for the longer routes that bikes be equipped with a low gear of about 40 gear-inches (e.g. 28 tooth rear sprocket and 42-tooth chain ring on a typical road bike with a 27 inch tire) or lower to prevent undue straining of your knees on the major hills. Come for the ride, ride for the challenge!

Date/Time/Start

  • Date: Saturday, October 07, 2023
  • Time: Riders can start after passing thru Registrant Check-In (No Mass Start)
  • Check-in: Registration Check-in open between 7:00 am to 9:30 am
  • Riders must pass thru check-in to get wristband and cue sheet
  • Route closes at 5 pm

Registration

  • Registration is limited to 350 participants, so don’t delay in signing up
  • Event registration is by BikeReg.com Online Registration 
  • Event registration is by Online Registration ONLY
  • Take advantage of Early Registration Discounts (ending a month prior to event)
  • Register online at BikeReg by selecting this link- http://www.bikereg.com/wcbc-savage-century
  • Early Pre-Registration $25 per person 01/01/22 thru 09/09/23
  • Pre-Registration $35 per person 09/10/23 thru 10/04/23 
  • Late/Day-Of Event Registration is $45 per person 10/05/23 thru 10/07/23
  • For details about Day-Of event registration – see Day-Of Registration tab

Day-Of Registration

  • Day-Of Registration is offered for this event
  • Registration on Day-Of event is still by Online Registration Only
  • Participant will register using their own cell phone/smart device
  • See instructions for Day-Of Registration posted on the trailer at event start
  • No cash or credit cards will be accepted at Rider Check-In – Registration by BikeReg.com Only
  • Register online at BikeReg.com by selecting this link – http://www.bikereg.com/wcbc-savage-century
  • Registration Day-Of event is $45 per person

Savage Century Event

Includes:

  • All routes are marked with Route Arrows
  • Cue sheets are provided
  • SAG support and Rest Stops until 5 pm
  • Multiple WCBC rest stops
  • WCBC souvenir of your choice (one please)
  • Savage Century patch for completing the century route! (you must check-in at Drumore rest stop)
  • Various convenience stores along or near routes
  • Sandwiches at the finish

Address & Directions to Start


Location: W.L. Gore Facility – 1901 Barksdale Rd, Newark, DE 19711

Directions:

If you are carrying a bike on the roof of an SUV or car, see Alternate Route below…

From I-95:

  • Exit RT 896 North (In Delaware)
  • Left onto Christina Pkwy
  • Right onto Elkton Rd.
  • Left onto Casho Mill Rd. (NOTE: If you have a roof rack, you might NOT be able to take this route! There is a railroad overpass that is only 8’9” high. Proceed with caution, OR, use the alternate route below.
  • Left onto Barksdale Road
  • Continue ~ 1 mile to the Gore facility on the left

Alternate Route – to avoid tunnel with height restriction – bikes on the roof of vehicles may not fit!!!:

From I-95

  • Exit RT 896 North (in Delaware)
  • Left onto Christina Pkwy
  • Right onto Elkton Rd.
  • Turn left at the traffic signal onto Apple Road (before you turn, 7-11 store is on the far left corner)
  • Left onto Barksdale Road
  • Continue ~ 1 ½ miles to the Gore facility on the left

Contact

Dinesh Mistry, Savage Event Director at savagecentury@whiteclaybicycleclub.org

Cue Sheets and GPS-type files

  • Cue sheets – will be provided at check-in.
  • GPS-type files – the Thursday afternoon prior to the event WCBC will email a link to the GPS files to those who have registered.  The route is verified on Thursday to confirm that no adjustments to the route are required.  Files will not be issued prior to Thursday afternoon.  Please be patient, this is a necessary step in our procedure.

   

THE HILLS (2020):

Major Hills of the Savage Total Climb(ft) Total Distance (mi) Avg. Grade Max Grade
Slate Hill 283 .9 6.6% 9.1%
Brady’s Hill 323 .9 6.5% 10.5%
Pilgrims Pathway 193 1.1 5.2% 8.9%
Furniss 257 1 4.6% 8.2%

 

No refunds are offered for this event.

 

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