I've done a foolish thing and registered to ride in the Hillier Than Thou ride on Sept 24. There are two courses: 100 mi with 12,000 ft of climbing, and 63.5 mi (about 100 km) and 7,000 ft of climbing. I'm not a supreme fool, so I'm doing the shorter course.

Wish me luck. On Saturday, I took a ride of 51 miles with 4,000 ft of climbing and fared pretty well. Gotta do more like that. I took my McLean.

I have to decide which bike to ride. My Lemond (Ti) has 39/53 chainrings, and I have a 12-29 cassette to install on it. My McLean has 30/42/52 chainrings and a 12-27 cassette, so it has a lower bottom gear. But the McLean tends to give me sore shoulders and back, and it's heavier. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Lemond. The McLean has supple 28mm tires on it, a plus which could reduce fatigue. The Lemond accepts 25mm tires, max.

I haven't figured out how to get there and back. It's way out in Port Murray, NJ. My wife has a car, and I don't. If I can't find a ride, I may end up renting a car.