Is this a dumb choice?

[Crankin]

As many of you know, I often state I don't "train" for things. I do prepare, somewhat, for the very few organized events I do. I did not train for the one century I have done, which was very flat, but had the added fun of high winds along the coast and rain. My time was respectable (6.5 hours), but I was 7 years younger than I am now.
So, our state bike advocacy group is running a century/metric/30 mile ride that leaves from the recreational area in the next town on July 27, about 4 miles away. Every single one of the roads for the metric and the century are roads I have ridden on, live near, and am familiar with. The 30 mile ride goes into Lexington, where I never ride, but I am not considering that option.
I haven't ridden as much this year, I have just under 1,000 miles. But, the riding has been quality riding, and I always say riding steep hills and recently, in the heat, keeps me able to do other things. I trained for a hard metric 5 weeks ago by doing 2 hilly 50 mile rides. I was successful in completing that metric, which was probably the hardest local ride I have done, with 4,200 ft. of climbing. However, my body kind of fell apart after that. This always happens to me, so not sure what else to say about this.
The metric on the 27th has 3,100 feet of climbing and the 2 steep hills are nothing compared to what I did in June. As with the one in June, there are tons of options to just turn around and go back (or home). The cue sheet for the entury is not on line yet, but I imagine it's just an extension of the metric. There may be 1-2 more climbs, though, and if they are in Harvard, MA, well, they will be hard.
Am I crazy for considering the century? I don't have to register until the day before, which we will do because of weather. I have a lot of time to ride in the next 2 weeks. I know DH will not want to do the century, but I could convince him.
What do you think?

[OakLeaf]

If the metric beat you up that badly and you haven't ridden anything longer since then, I'd be very hesitant. But I think if you can do an 80-85 mile ride between now and next weekend and feel okay, then go for it...

[roo4]

No, you are not crazy for thinking about it.

Why do you want to do the century? The challenge of completing something tough? Because it is local and you ride and you "should" do the century? If it is the latter, eh, skip it. If you are jazzed about 100 miles and looking for a challenge (and don't mind too much if it kicks your butt), then do the century.

Can you sign up for the metric and decide about 40-50 miles in to the ride?

[Crankin]

Oak, my body falls apart from an immune system kind of thing. It happens after every tour/hard effort I do, not always in the same way, though. It depends on what else is going on, how rested I am, etc. It just so happened that DH got sick a few days after my last metric, I caught the germs, and I probably was in a little bit of a depleted state. If I come back from a tour and it's nearer to the end of the summer, it often just shows up in a decrease in my average speed. Funny though, that didn't happen when I went to Spain, when the trip was the last week in May. I did do a lot of training very early in the season, for that, and a lot of nordic skiing that winter, too. I didn't have any physical problems, i.e. back or hips, or anything during the last metric, either during or after, so all my PT paid off.
I want to do the century because I want to do another century. I just want to finish, and I probably will be the slowest , as from what I see more of the "racer" types sign up for the longer distances at these kinds of lower key events. I don't feel that I "should" do it because it's local, but more that I always feel more relaxed when I know where I am, the nature of the roads and the climbs. I like knowing what to expect. I had a serious anxiety attack on a very steep climb on the last metric; it was on a road I usually do in the other direction... that way is hard, but this was worse. Despite this, I passed some of the racer boys on that one. That has never happened to me. Usually I get "angry" at the hill and it motivates me!
I cannot sign up for the metric and decide to do the century, as they start 2 hours apart. I can sign up for the century and decide to do less there, though, because I'll always be in a place where I will know how to get back in a shorter distance.

[Catrin]

Whatever you decide to do Crankin, we are cheering for you I can certainly understand wanting to do a century because you want to do a century! I REALLY want to do one this summer myself, but that isn't going to happen. Nothing wrong with being the slowest - but you already know that. I also doubt you would be the slowest Your knowledge of the area is a real advantage should you decide that you need to take a different route back. Whatever you do, have fun!

[roo4]

Sounds like you're doing a century then. Enjoy!

[ny biker]

I'd say try for the century, since you know you can shorten it if you need to.

Good luck!!