| Endless Summer Watermelon Ride |
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| 10 September 2017 |
RIDE CANCELLATION NOTICEIt is with great regret that we cancel the Endless Summer Watermelon Ride for 2017. The forecast for Amelia Island is for rain with high winds on Sunday, making cycling unsafe. Due to issues with permitting and staffing, we cannot reschedule the ride. For those who registered before the T-shirt deadline, we will mail your shirts over the next couple of weeks. We hope to be able to offer Endless Summer Watermelon Ride registrants some discount on the entry fee for our upcoming Tour de Forts Classic on April 29, 2018. That decision is pending the accounting for the Endless Summer Watermelon Ride. We have already made significant expenditures and are uncertain whether any are recoverable. We still hope to be able to fund our safety campaign, Pedaling for Safety. Per our policy (see below), we do not make refunds for cancellation for severe weather conditions.
The North Florida Bicycle Club brings you a classic one-day bicycle event designed for all road cyclists, the 28th Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride. Enjoy a wonderful bike ride on scenic Amelia Island through historic, tree lined Fernandina Beach, along the ocean and south to the Talbot Island State Parks. Come check out the League of American Bicyclists’ 2013 Bronze Level award winner, Fernandina Beach. Take your pick of five routes: 20, 30, 55, 75 and 101 miles. We'll provide pre-ride snacks, rest stops stocked with food, water and Gatorade, marked routes, maps, mechanical support, SAGs, motorcycle safety escorts in Fernandina Beach, and a post-ride lunch. |
Register by August 30th
to guarantee your official t-shirt!
Registration fees
Century Closed
Online registration closed-
101 miles | Yellow Arrows
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$55.00Apr 1 – May 31
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$60.00Jun 1 – Aug 27
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$65.00Aug 28 – Sep 5
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$70.00Sep 6 – Sep 6
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Metric Century Plus Closed
Online registration closed-
75 miles | Blue Arrows
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$55.00Apr 1 – May 31
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$60.00Jun 1 – Aug 27
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$65.00Aug 28 – Sep 5
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$70.00Sep 6 – Sep 6
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Metric Century Closed
Online registration closed-
55 miles | Orange Arrows
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$55.00Apr 1 – May 31
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$60.00Jun 1 – Aug 27
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$65.00Aug 28 – Sep 5
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$70.00Sep 6 – Sep 6
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Half-Metric Century Closed
Online registration closed-
30 miles | Green Arrows
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$55.00Apr 1 – May 31
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$60.00Jun 1 – Aug 27
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$65.00Aug 28 – Sep 5
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$70.00Sep 6 – Sep 6
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Quarter Century Closed
Online registration closed-
20 miles | Red Arrows
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$55.00Apr 1 – May 31
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$60.00Jun 1 – Aug 27
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$65.00Aug 28 – Sep 5
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$70.00Sep 6 – Sep 6
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Endless Summer Watermelon Ride SM Video
North Florida Bicycle Club Members
| North Florida Bicycle Members | |
| Save $10 on your registration fee | |
| Click the button below to obtain the promo code | |
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Route Options
| Start Times | Routes | Distances | Maps | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Century | 100 miles | Map | GPX | TCX | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Metric Century Plus | 75 miles | Map | GPX | TCX | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Metric Century | 55 miles | Map | GPX | TCX | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Half-Metric Century | 30 miles | Map | GPX | TCX | |
| 7:30 a.m. | Quarter Century | 20 miles | Map | GPX | TCX |
Endless Summer Watermelon Ride Jersey
Endless Summer Watermelon Ride Jersey
Click Here to Order Your Endless Summer Watermelon Ride Jersey
Order your jersey by July 30th and receive it by the event.
All orders placed between July 31st and Sptember 17th will be shipped to your address by October 27th.
* Only $55!
* Men's and Women's Sizes Available!
* YKK Easy-grip full length invisible zipper for a refined, clean look
* Comfortable compression sleeve-opening hem
* 3 rear pockets
* Super soft COOLMAX Active Micro-poly material means you will remain cool, dry and comfortable even after hours on the road
* 100% Anti-bacterial polyester mesh fabric
* Provides excellent UV protection
Please note: No refunds or exchanges on event jerseys
where the sizes measure true to sizing table.
Looking for a relaxed fit? We suggest ordering one size up!
To see the size chart, click on the link below
Size Charts
Accommodations
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Amelia Hotel at the Beach |
| Rates: | |
| Promo Code: | |
| Ph: 904-206-5200 | |
| Make Reservation |
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Comfort Suites Oceanview Amelia Island |
| Rates: | |
| Promo Code: | |
| Ph: 904-261-0193 | |
| Make Reservation |
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Days Inn & Suites Amelia Island |
| 2707 Sadler Rd, Amelia Island, FL 32034 | |
| Rates: $126.65/night + Tax | |
| Promo Code: Must call 866-820-2718 for discounted rate | |
| Ph: 904-277-2300 | |
| Make Reservation |
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Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front |
| 19 S 2nd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | |
| Rates: $155/night - $169/night + tax | |
| Promo Code: NFB | |
| Ph: 904-491-4911 | |
| Make Reservation |
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Hampton Inn Amelia Island at Fernandina Beach |
| 2549 Sadler Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | |
| Rates: $152/night + tax | |
| Promo Code: $152/night + tax / Call to reserve for rate | |
| Ph: 904-321-1111 | |
| Make Reservation |
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Residence Inn by Marriott |
| 2301 Sadler Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | |
| Rates: $159/night + tax | |
| Promo Code: 2017 WATERMELON RIDE | |
| Ph: 904-277-2440 | |
| Make Reservation |
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Seaside Amelia Inn |
| 2900 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | |
| Rates: | |
| Promo Code: | |
| Ph: 904-206-5300 | |
| Make Reservation |
NFBC Pedaling for Safety Campaign
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A portion of your registration fee will go to support our Pedaling for Safety Campaign. There is no additional fundraising required for this event. We want you to enjoy the ride and have great day! Please consider making an additional contribution to support this worthy cause. Just click on Donation when you register. |
Packet Pickup
| Day(s) | Start Time | End Time | Location |
| Sat, Sep 9, 2017 | 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm | Fernandina Beach Recreation 2500 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 |
| Sun, Sep 10, 2017 | 6:30 am | 8:15 am | Fernandina Beach Recreation 2500 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 |
| Packet Pickup Details |
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Every registrant will be required to sign a "hard" (printed) copy of the ride waiver before receiving a ride packet. Copies will be available at the registration desk. If you are picking up a ride packet for someone else, they should download the waive, sign it and give it to you to bring when you pick up their ride packet. Click here to download the adult waiver Click here to download the minor waiver NO EXCEPTIONS. NO SIGNED WAIVER. NO PACKET. |
Parking
Parking is available behind the Atlantic Recreation Center, at Main Beach and along Atlantic Ave. Do not park or attempt to drive through the start/finish area in the lot in front of the Recreation Center or on the west side of the Center. Follow the directions of the volunteers who will direct you to the lots. Do not park in the church lot just east of the Recreation Center.
Click here for map of parking areas.
Day-of-Event Schedule
Start time |
End time |
Description |
| 6:15 am |
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| 6:30 am |
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| 7:30 am | 7:50 am |
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| 8:00 am |
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| 8:15 am |
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| 10:30 am | 4:30 pm |
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| 4:30 pm |
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Rider release plan
All 30, 55, 75 and 100 mile riders should line up according to the pace they expect to ride, with faster cyclists (23+ mph pace) up front and slower cyclists (12-14 mph) toward the back. Cyclists will be released at short intervals in groups of about fifty. Teams and groups of friends should be side-by-side at the start and request that the rope handlers keep you together.
To divide riders into groups, we will have two sets of rope handlers. When it is safe to go, the front rope will be dropped and the back rope moved to the front as riders in the front group depart. The ropes will be passed over your heads to form the next group. Please assist the rope handlers so the release goes smoothly and efficiently.
We will release 20 mile riders as a group after longer distance riders have left.
Cut-off times
To make sure everyone gets to the finish in a safe and timely way, The Endless Summer Watermelon Ride has cut-off times. All riders should be off the road and finished by 4:30 PM as all support services end then.
100-mile (yellow) route-must leave Rest Stop #4-Berlin at 43-mile mark by 11:30 AM or return to finish via the 75-mile (blue) route.
75-mile (blue) route-must leave Rest Stop #3 (Ribault) at the 30-mile mark by 10:35 AM or return to finish via the 55-mile (orange) route
55-mile (orange) route-must leave Rest Stop #2 (Bridge West) at the 17.7-mile mark by 9:45 AM or return to finish via the 30-mile (green) route.
30-mile (green) route-must leave Rest Stop #1 (SuperCorsa Bike Shop) at the 13-mile mark by 9:45 AM or return to finish via the 20-mile (red) route.
Any rider behind the bicycle sweep for a specific route after the cut-off time, will no longer be a part of the ride and will not be supported.
Safety Instructions
SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY AT NORTH FLORIDA BICYCLE CLUB EVENTS
Your behavior on the ride will affect not only your personal safety but also the safety of those around you. The success of this event depends on every one of us behaving responsibly and taking care of ourselves and one another.
Please download and review the following safety information before the ride:
3-minute audio safety briefing
Safety Not Speed-presentation with pictures that highlight various cautions and hazards along the routes. Be informed before riding!
This is a ride, not a race.
Endless Summer Watermelon Ride is an open course on public roads. Be cautious at all road crossings and obey all traffic signs and signals and police officers. Ride defensively. Don't assume motorists or other cyclists will do the right thing.
Be courteous to other riders and motorists.
All riders must wear helmets.
Ride predictably.
Obey all traffic laws including all traffic signals and signs. Bicycles on public roadways in Florida are considered vehicles and must follow all the traffic rules common to all drivers.
Call out and use Florida-approved hand signals when turning left or right, slowing, or stopping
Where present, Florida law requires you to ride in the bike lane, except to pass another rider or avoid an obstruction.
Do not ride more than two abreast. Ride single file if by riding two abreast, you would impede traffic.
The roads in both Fort Clinch and the Ribault Club are narrow and open to normal traffic including large RVs. Keep to the right and do not cross the centerline.
Call out hazard & dangers to other cyclists.
Do not overlap wheels. Ride no closer than a bicycle wheel-length to the rider in front of you. Think feet, not inches between bikes.
In pacelines with unfamiliar riders, be cautious and give yourself extra room.
Pass other cyclists on the left, calling out “On your left” before you overtake another cyclist.
Cross railroad tracks at a 900angle.
Do not wear headphones use cell phones or text while bicycling
Do not use aerobars while riding in a paceline.
Follow directions from all ride support personnel including police, SAG drivers and ride marshals.
Eat before you’re hungry and drink before you’re thirsty, especially on the longer routes. Avail yourself of our well-stocked rest stops.
In case of injury or other situations:
- Call 911 immediately in case of significant injury.
- If it is safe, move a downed rider off the road or out of the bike lane. If not, direct traffic around them.
- Call (904) 291-8664 for SAG support and less urgent situations.
- Get off the road or out of the bike lane to attend to mechanical issues such as a flat tire.
Weather advisory
- The ride will proceed rain or shine unless cancelled by NFBC for severe weather conditions.
- We are hopeful for a beautiful day but weather can change quickly in Florida.
- In case of thunderstorms take cover until the storm passes. If no cover is readily available, get off your bike and crouch as low as possible. Avoid sheltering under tall trees.
- Get off the road during heavy rain as bicycles are not clearly visible to traffic under these conditions.
Start Location
Weather Cancellation Policies
This is a Rain or Shine event. No refunds or transfers.
Safety is our most important concern and if any of the threatening weather conditions are present the day of the event (tornado warning, tornado watch, thunderstorm, heavy rain or a hurricane decides to visit), the event may be delayed or canceled. When weather conditions or other physical conditions present a danger to participants, such conditions fall under the label “acts of mother nature,” it will not result in refunding of any event entry fees or future event credits, since funds were already spent in preparation for your event day.
Event schedule
- Sat, September 9, 2017 12:30 PM - Early Packet Pickup - 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm - Fernandina Beach Recreation Center
- Sun, September 10, 2017 6:30 AM - Day of Event Check-in/Registration Opens
- Sun, September 10, 2017 7:30 AM - Ride start - Century (100 miles)
- Sun, September 10, 2017 7:30 AM - Ride start - Metric Century Plus (75 miles)
- Sun, September 10, 2017 7:30 AM - Ride start - Metric Century (55 miles)
- Sun, September 10, 2017 7:30 AM - Ride start - Half-Metric Century (30 miles)
- Sun, September 10, 2017 8:00 AM - Ride start - Quarter Centuy (20 miles)
Contact information
- Event contact
- Event Director
- events@caamevents.com
