Savage Century

Saturday, October 7th

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

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 is open between 7:00 am to 9:30 am
Riders must pass thru check-in to get a wristband and cue sheet
Route closes at 5 pm

Registration

Registration is limited to 350 participants, so don’t delay in signing up
Take advantage of early registration discounts (ending a month prior to event)
Register online at BikeReg
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

Day-Of Registration

Day-Of Registration is offered for this event
Registration on the day-of the event is still by online registration only
Participants will register using their own cell phone/smart device
See instructions for Day-Of Registration posted on the trailer at the event start
No cash or credit cards will be accepted at Rider Check-In – Registration by BikeReg.com only
Register online at BikeReg.com
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%

Refund Policy

No refunds are offered for this event.