What to do?

[Veronica]

This year's Triple Crown Stage Race is a little more sane than past years have been.

The first event is the toughest - Devil Mountain Double. 18,000+ feet of climbing over 206 miles. Three attempts - 3 DNFs. Only one attempt involved me training at all seriously.

The second event is Central Coast Double - 14,000 feet, 209 miles. I've done this ride.

The third event is the Mount Tam Double - 14,500 feet, 200 miles. I've done this ride.

I had pretty much decided that I was done with ultra distance. It's a lot of training, a lot of solo riding. I figured I would focus on tris now.

But, but I could do this. If I can finish DMD, I can do the other two.

So... my real dilemma is that Tam is the same day as Barb's Race, the HIM I did last year and I wanted to do again. But Barb's is not a race that is going away. The Stage Race races change up every couple of years. This is probably my best shot at doing it. Some years include Terrible Two which has, for me, a wicked hard cut off time.

I'll have to ponder this.

Veronica

[melissam]

Well, I know what I'd vote for, but in the end, it's your decision. (Yes, you can thank me for stating the obvious. )

A couple of questions, V:

- Do you think you have enough time to train seriously for the DMD? I ask because I have no idea what it would take to prep for a ride of this magnitude.

- Why do you want to ride in Barb's Race again this year? Is it to compare your times to last year's race? If so, can you compare times from another HIM from this year? (Of course, if you're training for hilly double centuries instead of tris, that throws more variables into the mix...)

Oh well, ponder away!!

- Mel AKA Capt. Obvious

[Veronica]

I really liked the whole experience of doing Barb's Race. I thought it would be cool to make it an annual event.

Of course as soon as I started thinking about DMD, I remembered how un-fun certain parts were.

As far as training goes... I could be ready if I got serious now. I don't have the saddle time, but I'm much fitter overall than I was the last time I did it.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

Wow. That is a lot more sane than past years. I bet there are a lot of people who do it this year. Tough choice.

[indysteel]

I have nothing to add except to say how in awe I am at those among you who do ultra-distance, especially when it involves climbing. Wow! Whatever you decide, good luck!

[maillotpois]

So did you decide?

[Veronica]

Yeah, thanks for asking. All it took was one simple question from Thom. "Which training is more enjoyable?"

Even on days when I'm doing a long run or a brick, it doesn't suck up the whole day. Although when I said something about how much tris cost. I got, "You're going back to doing brevets at 10 bucks a pop!" He was joking of course.

Let us know when you do those non-training rides though - like King's Ridge last year. I miss riding with you guys.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

Well good for you for choosing. It's good to be in a position where you're able to choose from things like that, both good and challenging options.

[Veronica]

Well good for you for choosing. It's good to be in a position where you're able to choose from things like that, both good and challenging options.

Definitely still a challenge. Someday, maybe... I'll get under a ten minute mile for the run.

Veronica