Wednesday, April 6, 2011

You Take The Good, You Take The Bad

...and then you make a decision. Usually I don't think things through this deliberately, but I've got a dilemma. I signed up to do Cherry of a Ride

this Sunday and now I need to figure out my distance. They offer 30, 48, 60, 80, and 100 mile options. I signed up for 60 because we have a 50 miler on the schedule and with my math, somehow 60 seemed closer to 50 than 48??

So my dilemma is do I do the 48? which has 2,221 ft of ascent?
 

or the 60? which has 4,069 ft of ascent?




Doing the 60

The Good:
  • Better bragging rights.
  • Take on some gnarly hills and equally gnarly downhills. Again...bragging rights.
  • Riding with my friend Michele (we're all spending the night at her house in the gorge the night before the ride).

The Bad:
  • I would be the slowest of the people doing the 60 and therefore would probably be dropped by Michele because she is a monster on the bike.
  • I would be the last of our group of 18 to make it back to the cars and would therefore be the cause of people not getting their hot tub, beer and BBQ on in the earliest possible fashion.
  • I have a brick the day before ~ 40 mile ride/6 mile run.
  • Coach Glen would probably keel over if he knew, because the schedule calls for a "nice & easy" L1 ride.
What would you do?
What will I do?
Will I drink enough alcohol the night before in the hot tub and make a decision I will later regret? Like the 80 mile option.
Will I snore so loudly that we all have trouble sleeping and then everyone is so tired we sleep through the alarm clock and miss the ride altogether?

TBD...

25 comments:

Nikki Kendall said...

I vote for snoring...BUT keep them up so that way you will have riding buddies :)

Anonymous said...

I would do the 60 so you could ride with your friend. Riding is soo much better with company!

Jen said...

If you really think you're going to get dropped by your friend on the 60 miler, I'd opt for the 48 miler just so that you stay close to your training plan. Training plans are there for a reason. To keep you from doing too much too soon. I know all about deviating from the plan and paying the consequences. Just my two cents! I'm sure you'll have fun either way!

A Prelude To... said...

oh Nikki!! You are a smart one! Grand idea!

A Prelude To... said...

Jen is my voice of reason. Thank you, oh wise one. I KNOW you are right.

Jeannie said...

60, challenge yourself.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Riding 60 will feel like you road 80 on flat land. 1800 feet of climbing extra climbing in those extra 12 miles? thats is ALOT. If it were up to me, I would take the 48 (i dont like the hills)

Penny said...

Sometimes we can be our own worst ememy. We are stronger than we think. Good Luck on you decision.

Unknown said...

If it wasn't for the brick the day before, I'd say 60. Since you have the brick, it might be a bit ambitious. I think you should stick to the 48, although I'm sure you could do the 60.

Melie said...

I wouldn't do any of them because I don't bike. So, I'll skip to the relevant part of the question. Which is... I have no idea! But if cycling is anything like running, it's always better with company.. :-)

A Prelude To... said...

Ya...I know for sure I could do the 60, but I also know I would be dropped. If I do the 48, I'll still be with friends/teammates. My mom just emailed me. What do you guess HER answer was ?? :-)

Stephanie said...

Tough call. I'd probably stick with the 48 after a brick and the chance your friend might drop you. Although one word from a taunter (cough cough Ryan) and I'd do the 60. Can't wait to hear about it either way!

Kate Geisen said...

I think I'm with the 48 group. The bragging rights would be fun, but probably sticking to your plan is what's going to make you a better stronger rider who kicks butt on that 60 mile ride next year instead of chasing behind this year.

misszippy said...

This is great! I'd go for the 60, though...unless that hot tub/alcohol combo does you in, then back down.

A Prelude To... said...

Kate! I thought for sure you were going to say the 60 miler.

Raina said...

Option C...forget the ride the day before and go straight to the 100 miler. =D

I have NO idea. But you will ROCK, regardless!

Rene' said...

i think the 48. i don't like to leave my plan to much. good luck!

Triathlon Benchwarmer said...

I say....Go big or go home.

Julie said...

My vote goes for the 48...you will have plenty to brag about having done the brick the day before. :)

Aimee said...

Because you have the brick the day before, I would say do the 48. Plus, it is closer to your 50miles you are supposed to do for your training plan!

Simply Life said...

wow! I'm so impressed with these options!

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

I'm not going to vote on this one, because if it were me, I'd probably do something stupid like sign up for the century.

ajh said...

I don't know enough about biking to give a good opinion! Sorry.

A Prelude To... said...

Abby - I almost specifically said you could keep any comments you might have to yourself - I know which way YOU roll :p

Dawn said...

60! We like/LOVE challenges:))