I did the run up Whiteface a few years ago and really enjoyed it! My memory is that the grade is not as steep as that of a lot of the other hillclimbs in the northeast- so while I wouldn't enjoy riding down, it would probably be do-able (and I'm pretty wimpy about big long downhills). What about leaving a car up there the day before you want to ride, and then riding up the next morning before the gatehouse is open (but timed so that it's open by the time you come back down in the car)?