2008 - Event date: August 2, 2008

Thank you for arriving at the 2008 Marin Century site. It was announced in November that the Marin Century 2007 was voted 'Best' cycling event in Nor Cal by the readers of Competitor Magazine. That is the second straight year!

Until the official launch of this site in January of 2008, all information located here will be subject to change. The registration site for the Century will become active in January 2008. We will be limiting the number of riders this year to 2600. We expect to sell out before the day of the event. There will be no Day-Of registration unless we are not sold out.

The Century depends on outside support. We have sponsorship opportunities available. Last year, and again this year, we will be featuring our sponsors on our TV advertising during the Tour of California (February), Cyclism Sundays (March-May), and the Tour de France (July.) Last year we ran more than 120 ad spots to promote our sponsors and the event. We also ran ads in Competitor Magazine and Cycle California along with our sponsors being prominently displayed on our website and at our Expo.

We also depend upon Volunteer organizations to help put on the event. If you are a non-profit group, you can earn money for helping us man a rest stop or providing support in other ways. This is a one day event and can provide a substantial monetary benefit for your group.

Also, if you are a member of The Marin Cyclists, or part of the Marin Cycling communitiy, there are organizational chairperson positions open, and of course, day-of volunteering is always appreciated.

Please contact us for more information.

Thank you.

Michael Sexton

2008 Marin Century Chair.

info@marincentury.com

Introduction

The Marin Cyclist Bike Club invites you to participate in the ultimate Northern California Classic Marin Century, The Mt Tam Century, the Mt Tam Double and other endurance rides sponsored by The Marin Cyclists.
 
The 2008 rides are scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2008. The rides will start and finish at Valencito Middle School, 50 Nova Albion Way in San Rafael, Ca.. Please see the Directions and Parking Maps below.
 
There are 5 ride options to choose from in 2008. All 5 rides have some hills to climb but as long as you have done some training and are reasonably fit, there should be a challenge here for everyone. Please note however, that the Mt Tam Century and Mt Tam Double Century are technical, climbing centuries with long ascents and rapid decents and should only be attempted by competent, experienced riders. All rides start and finish at the same location, however since this is not a timed event, there will be no official "start time." There will be a initial start for the Double Century riders at 5am. With other rides going off from 6am - 9am. We encourage participants to gather and ride with old friends and new groups for added safety and fun. Please review the specific check-in times for your ride.

All the rides go through the best scenery in Marin. From the rolling hills, to Mt Tam, to the Coast and back, there really is no better way to enjoy this part of No. California than on this well supported, group ride. Each year we focus on putting on an enjoyable, safe ride. This year you can expect more CHP at major intersections aiding with traffic and bicycle safety. In addition we provide detailed course maps, well marked turns, and SAG/Saftey vehicles for unexpected events. It is however the responsibility of the rider to have a well maintained bicycle, all necessary repair equipment including a pump, extra tubes, sunscreen, and enough power gel and water to make it between aid stations. Riding in a group is suggested, and helmets are always mandatory.

It is a requirement that riders obey all traffic laws. That means STOPPING at all stop signs. CHP will ticket and has ticked before. Riders also need to watch speed limits. CHP has and will ticket riders for speeding.  Also, iPODS or other MP3 or Radios if worn while cycling are extremely DANGEROUS and the rider may be cited by CHP! For your safety and the safety of others, don't use your iPod while riding!

Riders should return from 12 noon to 10 pm, with most getting back from 1pm-5pm. At the finish of the ride there will be outside rinse-off showers available. Also, each rider will receive a fantastic lunch for which the Marin Century is well known. Items may include BBQ Chicken, Pizza, Salad, Fruit, Dessert, Soda and more. This is enjoyed in a festive, party atmosphere including music, videos and the Marin Century Bike Expo showcasing cycling related products and services, both local and national.

Finally, the Mt Tam Double is part of the California Triple Crown Series. Special rules apply to the riders wishing to receive credit for this ride.

There is a lot of infomation regarding this event on this website. Please familiarize youself with the information that you need. If there is a question that you can not answer with the infomation on this site, you can contact info@marincentury.com.

Complete ride descriptions and maps are available in other sections of this site.

2008 Marin Century Rides

Ride	Miles	# Rests	Total Climbing	Rating	Experience Level
50K	30 M	1	1370 Ft	3	Novice/ Recreational
100K	60 M	3	3830 Ft	4	Novice/ Recreational
Marin Century	100 M	4	6250 Ft	4	Recreational/ Experienced
Mt Tam Century	95 M	4	7670 (est) Ft	5	Experienced
Mt Tam Double Century	200 M	8	15000	5	Experienced

Register Here.

Membership
Any non-member of the Marin Cyclist Bicycle Club can receive a $5.00 (20%) discount on the cost of the Marin Century registration if you apply for membership in the Marin Cyclist Bike Club at the same time AND for your first time. This special discounted opportunity will provide you membership for the balance of 2008. One-year membership in this premier Bay Area Bike club is normally $25 per year and brings with it all the benefits of membership as listed under membership section on the website. Beware though, your life may never be the same.
 
Refunds & Cancellation Policy
Your registration fee covers our cost of food, energy drinks, water, route map, support, sag and sag supplies, water bottles, patch kits, Red Cross, Permits, contracting rest stops, rest stop equipment & insurance. Pre-registration is strongly advised.
 
Avoid delays---register early. Ride Goes Rain Or Shine. Unfortunately, once you register, we commit your payment on the food etc., whether you show up, don’t show up or have to cancel. Therefore, we have a strict and simple cancellation and refund policy **No Cancellations/No Refunds**.
 
One exception, if for some reason you cannot ride but are able to volunteer to help us with the event, (rest stop volunteer, etc.) we will credit your registration fee toward either club membership or next years century rides.
 
The Marin Cyclists Bicycle Club is a group of bicycle enthusiasts who love to ride and in return gladly volunteer to roll out the carpet for you. No one gets paid. We keep enough money in the bank to dig out if we lose some money on a ride but the rest is given away to select bike-related charities, sponsorships and concerns.

Registration Confirmation
All registrations received will be posted on this website and will be updated weekly through July 29, 2008. The registration database will be updated daily the last week before the ride. Look for it on the RESULTS page of this site.

Directions to Start Location

 The Start / Finish for the 2007 Marin Century rides will be at the Vallecito  Elementary School, 50 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael approximately 16 miles north of San Francisco in Marin County just west of Hwy 101.
 

PLEASE NOTE: INTERNET MAP SERVICES WILL GIVE YOU INCORRECT DIRECTIONS TO START. PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTION BELOW!

PLEASE NOTE: INTERNET MAP SERVICES WILL GIVE YOU INCORRECT DIRECTIONS TO START. PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTION BELOW!

Coming from the south (Golden Gate Bridge)
Take Hwy 101 North for approximately 16 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Exit from 101 at the Terra Linda - Freitas Parkway exit. Head west approximately 1/2 mile on Freitas Parkway. Turn left on Las Gallinas (signal at Safeway). Go one block & turn right on Nova Albion. The Vallecito Elementary School is just past the 1st STOP sign on the right-hand side.
 
Coming from the north (Novato and north)
Take Hwy 101 South approximately 4.5 miles south of the Hwy 37 Interchange. Exit Hwy 101 at Terra Linda - Freitas Parkway exit. Head west approximately 1/4 mile on Freitas Parkway. Turn left on Las Gallinas (signal at Safeway). Go one block & turn right on Nova Albion. The Vallecito Elementary School is just past the 1st STOP sign on the right-hand side.
 
Coming from the East (East Bay and I-580)
Take I-580 west over the Richmond Bridge. Exit at Hwy 101 North and go approximately 3.5 miles north. Exit Hwy 101 at Terra Linda - Freitas Parkway exit. Head west approximately 1/2 mile on Freitas Parkway. Turn left on Las Gallinas (signal at Safeway). Go one block & turn right on Nova Albion. The Vallecito Elementary School is just past the 1st STOP sign on the right-hand side.

Parking

Download the Parking Map

Rider Limits
Cumulative registration limit for the 50K, 100 K, 100 Mile in 2008 is 2500 riders. Please register early to guarantee your spot. If the ride is not sold out by the day of the ride, there will be “day of event” registration available. We expect to sell out this year . If you mailed a late registration to us but we have not received it, you may be required to pay again at the start. We will return all checks received after August 7, 2008.
 
The 200 Mile Mt. Tam Double Century is limited to 300 riders.
 
Registration Confirmation
All registrations received will be posted on this website on the 'Results' page, and will be updated weekly through July 29, 2008. The registration database will be updated daily the last week before the ride.
 
NOTE: There are no rider exchanges. Registration is only good for the person registered. ID may be required.

Safety / Rules of the Road

 
 
• This is not a race and there is no winner.
• ANSI/Snell-approved helmets must be worn at all times during the ride.
• All riders must carry a driver's license or other form of ID.
• All riders are responsible for the safety and condition of your bicycle and its equipment
• Riders must carry a
• Spare tube
• Patch kit
• Pump
• Tire irons
• Tools
• water bottles
• Telephone money
• Medical identification
• Personal clothing
• All riders must check-in at start.
• Double Century riders must check-in at start, at checkpoints along the course and at the finish for CTC credit.
• All riders must sign the release form before starting the ride.
• All riders under 18 years of age must have the form signed by a parent or guardian and carry the medical release authorizing any needed treatment.
• Please be courteous to local drivers and respectful of traffic.
• Bicyclists must obey all California Vehicle code laws, including all stop signs and signals. Local authorities may cite violators.
• Ride single file and stay right.
• Pace lines
• All pace line leaders should announce “on your left” to all riders being passed.
• Riding in a pace line is inherently dangerous. You assume all liabilities for riding in a pace line.
• Exercise extreme caution near all pace lines.
• Riders impeding other riders shall safely stay as far right as possible or pull off the road if necessary allowing faster riders to pass.
• You must wear your assigned rider bib number on your back so it can be seen from cars behind you. You may not be allowed into Rest Stops without your bib number visible.
• Your bib number is the same color as your course arrows.
• Private sag vehicles are prohibited. Riders with private sags will be disqualified.
 
Disclaimer
The Marin Cyclist Bike Club and the Marin Century Ride Director reserve the right to refuse entry, disqualify or remove anyone from the course for reasons of the their own safety, for the safety of others, for violation of any rules above or of the California vehicle code or for any other reason including the well being of the rider, other riders, the ride or the Marin Cyclist Club. The ride director decision is final!