Did it last year with 2 friends. Matthews is a very small town with not a lot to do, especially at
night. Tenting on the baseball field, $5 per night. It rained during the night resulting in quiet a
few mini lakes in tent city. Can use school showers. Food was good. Crab feast was great but not
enough crabs if you REALLY love crabs.
Started the Saturday ride in the sun unfortunately 25 miles into the ride we encountered a Noah's
arch type rain. With the wind coming off of the bay it was the most intense ride (while it was
raining) I have every had with my faired Tour Easy. Rain made visability difficult and cross winds
from the bay wanted to push my TE into traffic. Lucky for light traffic. Lunch was back at tent
city. I did not continue the ride, only doing approx 40 some miles of the metric century. I was
totally soaked and bone cold. While I took a long hot shower my friends finnished the century. We
also noticed some mileage errors on the que sheet. The crab races were fun. One of my friends had
the winning crab and received a free night at a local B&B.
Most, if not all, of the money goes to support the Matthews HS athletic programs. The students were
fantastic. They could not do enough for you.
Our conclustion. We came, we did it, we left. Nice early family season type ride but check the
weather forcast first. May do it again in a couple of years to see if it has improved.