Endless Summer Watermelon Ride |
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09 September 2018 |
The North Florida Bicycle Club brings you a classic one-day bicycle event designed for all road cyclists, the 29th 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, 53, 73 and 100 miles.
Register by August 21st
to guarantee your official event swag!
Registration fees
Century Closed
Online registration closed-
103 miles | Yellow Markings
- Online registration closed
Metric Century Plus Closed
Online registration closed-
77 miles | Blue Markings
- Online registration closed
Half Century Closed
Online registration closed-
53 miles | Orange Markings
- Online registration closed
Half-Metric Century Closed
Online registration closed-
30 miles | Green Markings
- Online registration closed
Quarter Century Closed
Online registration closed-
20 miles | Red Markings
- Online registration closed
Route Options
Endless Summer Watermelon Ride Video
North Florida Bicycle Club Members
Endless Summer Watermelon Ride Jersey
Click Here to Order Your Endless Summer Watermelon Ride Jersey
Order your jersey by July 29th and it will be shipped to you before the event.
All orders placed between July 30th and September 16th will be delivered to your address by October 28th.
* 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 size 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
Accomodations
Check out great rates on local accommodationsAmelia Island is home to a variety of lodging options and sports a mix of prestigious national chain hotels near the start/finish location.
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Campgrounds
NFBC Pedaling for Safety Campaign
![]() | A portion of your registration fee will go to support our Pedaling for Safety Campaign. There is no additional fundraising required for this event. Pedaling for Safety's mission is to promote safety for people who bicycle along Florida's First Coast. Our vision is zero fatalities or serious injuries from bicycling in our region. Please consider making an additional contribution to support our efforts as you complete the registration process. |
Packet Pickup
Day(s) | Start Time | End Time | Location |
Sat, Sep 8, 2018 | 12:30 pm | 4:00 pm | Fernandina Beach Recreation 2500 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 |
Sun, Sep 9, 2018 | 6:30 am | 8:15 am | Fernandina Beach Recreation 2500 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 |
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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7:50 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, 53, 73 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 at 7:50 am after longer distance riders have left.
Cut-off times
To make sure everyone gets to the finish in a safe and timely fashion, 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.
103-mile (yellow) route-must leave Rest Stop #4-Dames Point-at 41-mile mark by 11:30 AM or return to finish via the 77-mile (blue) route.
77-mile (blue) route-must leave Rest Stop #3-Ferry-at the 30-mile mark by 10:45 AM or return to finish via the 53-mile (orange) route
53-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.
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 are narrow and open to normal traffic including large RVs. Keep to the right and do not cross the centerline.
On the Talbot Island bike trails keep right and be alert for two-way bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The speed limit on the wooden bridges on the bike trail is 10 mph.
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 90 degree angle.
Do not wear headphones or 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) 515-3275 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.
The safety of our participants and volunteers 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.
When you register for the ride, you will have the opportunity to purchase a Protection Policy in the event the ride is cancelled for weather or you are unable to attend for other covered reasons.
Event schedule
- Sat, September 8, 2018 12:30 PM - Early Packet Pickup - 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm - Fernandina Beach Recreation Center
- Sun, September 9, 2018 6:30 AM - Day of Event Check-in/Registration Opens
- Sun, September 9, 2018 7:30 AM - Ride start - Century (103 miles)
- Sun, September 9, 2018 7:30 AM - Ride start - Metric Century Plus (77 miles)
- Sun, September 9, 2018 7:30 AM - Ride start - Metric Century (53 miles)
- Sun, September 9, 2018 7:30 AM - Ride start - Half-Metric Century (30 miles)
- Sun, September 9, 2018 8:00 AM - Ride start - Quarter Centuy (20 miles)
Contact information
- Event contact
- Event Director
- events@caamevents.com
- Phone
- +1 904-274-2660