Patuxent Velo, Southern Maryland’s premiere Bicycle Racing Club, is proud to announce that the St. Mary’s Century, a challenging bicycle touring ride through scenic St. Mary’s County, will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010.

The St. Mary’s Century offers a wide range of courses that accommodate bicyclists of all skill levels including a traditional full century (100 Miles), as well as a metric century (62 miles) and 35 mile route.

The ride begins and ends at the College of Southern Maryland Campus in Historic Leonardtown. The event begins at 7 a.m. Participants will enjoy the quiet rural charm of St. Mary’s County, a region steeped in history and culture, with charming back roads and passages perfect for cycling! Scenic rest stops will be well-stocked with traditional refreshments, high energy foods, and sport drinks as well as local specialties, and will include St. Mary’s City, the Island Bar and Grill on St. George Island, and the St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point.

At the end of the ride take a refreshing shower at the College of Southern Maryland’s new Wellness and Aquatics Center. Then, grab a bite to eat at the free picnic while enjoying live entertainment.

Registration is available online at Bikereg.com and Active.com. Cyclists may also register in person between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the day of the event (cash or check only). The registration fee is $40 per cyclist and includes a technical t-shirt, refreshments along the routes, and the post-ride picnic. A portion of the registration will be used to support a local charity in St. Mary’s County. Additional information is available at www.paxvelo.com.

Bring the whole family and make it a weekend of fun! There are lots of events and activities for the family including the St. Mary’s County Fair in Leonardtown, RiverFest at Historic St. Mary’s City, and the Bowles Farms Corn Maze in Clements. For more information about these events, as well as lodging and dining options, visit www.visitstmarysmd.com.

For more information about the St. Mary’s Century, please visit the Patuxent Velo website at www.paxvelo.com or email stmaryscentury@paxvelo.com.