Should I do the Metric, or the whole thing?

[Starfish]

Some of you have been helping me in the thread: Distance Climbing Question in the Tips/Tricks forum.

A new question. In 1-1/2 weeks, there is a local ride with two options I would consider:
- Metric Century with 3000 feet climbing.
- 112 mile ride with 6500 feet climbing.

I have been planning to do the metric as a training ride toward my larger goal event (Shasta Summit Century) in August.

Right now, my longest ride this year is 50 miles with 3430 feet climbing. Those 3430 feet included two harder grades that come at the end of the whole 112 mile ride coming up. I've been assuming I should do the metric as a training ride. But, now I am wondering if I should just try the whole 112 mile ride and see what happens?

I know the routes. The first 60 miles is easier than the last 52 miles. Am I crazy to consider the whole ride? I don't want to so totally toast myself that I spend 3 weeks recovering instead of training. But, I would love to know I finished the whole thing.

Thanks for any thoughts!

[maillotpois]

What distance ride do you have planned for this week?

[Starfish]

Sarah, I was thinking of 3000-4000 in a total of about 25 miles.

I intend to do a shorter ride, but up the mountain road, which is a steady 7-10% for about 5 miles, then 3-5% for a few miles, then kicks back up for about 5 more miles.

I don't think I will attempt the whole 5000 feet (in 19 miles), although I thought I would go prepared to do it if I got up there and felt great. I was thinking of 3000-4000 in a total of about 25 miles.

If the weather changes and the mountain is all socked in, then I would change plans...to what, I'm not sure. I was going to do a relative recovery week after this weekend, going into the organized ride rested next weekend.

[maillotpois]

Well, at what point do you have to decide on the distance for the ride next week?

[Starfish]

Well, at what point do you have to decide on the distance for the ride next week?

Have to...day of ride...they are taking registrations even that morning.

In order to pick up my packet the day before (which I would like to do...especially if I do the 112 mile option, so that I can start the ride around 5am instead of their start time of 7am...which I'm told is OK to do)...then they want registrations by this Saturday 5/12.

[maillotpois]

Can you register for the long ride, see how you feel this week/weekend and then change your mind? My instinct is to go for it, but I am not always the smartest tool in the shed when it comes to progressive training.

If your long ride has been 50 miles - less than half the distance of the ride - then ask yourself: How did you feel (really) in that 50 miler? Could you have gone another 50 - 60 miles? What was your pace? COuld you have spent all day out there on the bike if necessary? How long ago was the 50 miler?

You are trying to progress in a linear fashion toward the ride in August. It's not always linear, so you don't necessarily have to say no to the longer ride. But only you know in your gut whether you'll be ready for the century next weeekend or if it is just too much too soon.

[Fredwina]

How much of the route do they share? could you make the decision later on. I realize that this may cost you more money if you decide to bail on the 112, but it is an option