Many have enjoyed the challenge of the Savage as a “ride of passage”. Others return each year to 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 rolling hills heading west of Newark DE toward Nottingham PA. Then head for steeper 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 typical road bike with a 27-inch tire) or lower to prevent undue strain on the major hills. Come for the ride. Ride for the challenge!

Date/Schedule

• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
• Rider Check-in/Start: 7:00 am – 9:00 am (no mass start)
• Riders must pass through Rider Check-in to get a wristband and cue sheets
• Routes/Support Closure: 4:00 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 Registration (March 1-September 2, 2025):  $30 per Club member; $45 per non-member
• Standard Registration (September 3-October 1, 2025): $40 per Club member; $55 per non-member
• Late/Event Day Registration (October 2-4, 2025): $50 per Club member; $65 per non-member
• Event Day Registration is offered for this event
• Event Day Registration is ONLY by online registration
• Participants on Event Day register using their own cell phones/smart devices
• Instructions for Event Day Registration are also posted on trailer at event start
• No cash or credit cards will be accepted at Rider Check-In

Event Info

• All routes are marked with Route Arrows
• Cue sheets are provided
• Support & Gear (SAG) and Rest Stops until 4:00 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

Start Location Directions

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

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

From I-95:

1. Exit RT 896 North (In Delaware)
2. Left onto Christina Pkwy
3. Right onto Elkton Rd.
4. 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.
5. Left onto Barksdale Road
6. 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

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

Contact

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

Cue Sheets & GPS-type Files

• Cue Sheets: Provided at Rider Check-in
• GPS-type Files: On 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 step necessary in our procedure.

The Hills (2024):

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.