I started cycling again last summer after many years. I rode a 60 miler last August and rides in the 30 to 40 mile range a half a dozen times so far this year. I have logged over 900 miles on the bike this year and over 600 since April.

I recently signed up for the Chelan Century Challenge ride (www.centuryride.com). It has three loops (30m, 40m, 30m) with 8,800 ft of total elevation gain.. There is a monster hill (McNeil Canyon) starting at about the 60 mile point which climbs 2,200 ft in 5 miles with an 8.5% avg grade. Because it is an "out and back" section of the ride it can be skipped.

I am trying to decide how to approach this event.

1) Ride everything (pretty sure that I am not ready for this).

2) Ride Loops 1 and 2 and attempt McNeil Canyon depending on how I feel (leaning this way).

3) Skip the Canyon and ride loops 1, 2 and 3 (still maybe too many miles based on my current training level?).

I feel in great shape but would have liked to have ridden some 50-60 mile rides more recently; however, business and family obligations as well as the Seattle area weather haven't cooperated. My training rides incorporate hills - some as steep as 10% but nothing over 400' total climbing on a single road. A typical 30 mile ride will have 1,500 ft or so of total elevation. By the way, I am age 50, 5'9" and 150 lbs. Knees are ok - minor condromalatia - I ride a Lemond Buenos Aires with a triple crank (low gear of 30T front and 25T rear).

Suggestions, strategies and encouragement are welcome.