I am planning my rides through the end of the season. This is a process that will change as weather dictates but it gives me something to look forward to.

For those of you who have been around here for awhile and bothered to read my posts you know I have a pension for climbing, not because I love it but because I want to get better at it so I can easily decide where in the group I ride when rideing with strong groups. You also know I have benchmark little hill I have tackled call Whiteface. I still have painful memories of the race I did in June.

I have a choice to make - in Sept they will run a fall race up Whiteface - it benefits the organization that sponsors my daughters ski race team. That same weekend there is a century in Vermont which will be beautiful that time of year. The race is $60, the century $30. The race is 8 miles, the century ...

1.5 hours of pure hell trying to do better than the last time or 6 hours of fun looking at the Vermont country side. Both will leave me waisted for the day.

I really don't know what to do here - this is not a "bragging rights" thread, working hard for the climb is physically more demanding, the challenge of beating my last (miserable) time is there but the anguish still lingers in my mind. I WILL do the race again next June, but the question is, should I do the race for a second time this year? I know it will make me a better rider but the pain it will inflict will not be pleasant. One other data point - the following week I will ride with my bike club up Greylock (with about 60 more miles and four more mountain passes thrown in for good measure!). When I did the Greylock ride last year it ranked as my most challenging ride, I was beat for three days - but that was before I went up Whiteface (twice) this year.

Any more questions Grasshopper?

Ride both... $90

My 10YO said the same thing!

Fireside Theatre: "How can you be in two places at once when your not anywhere at all?"

Vermont, donate the extra $30 to your daughters Ski Team. Vermont will be be better for you for the following week at Greylock, jmho.

Unless you have made some changes to your training or are in better condition, what result would you expect by doing the climb. You said "should I do the race for a second time this year? I know it will make me a better rider but the pain it will inflict will not be pleasant." If your 2nd attempt is a failure it may become harder to overcome the bad memories, unless you make it your offseason passion to rectify next year.

Why not ride the century and make a donation to the ski team? * as soon as I posted I saw kr32's response, great minds think alike

I would do the century and enjoy the scenery. It's going to be snowing in another month, after the ride. You did the one ride already, mix it up and have fun.

AJ - two successful assualts this year already under my belt. A little weight loss and lots of strength training since the last trip up. Yes - all my current training and plans through the winter are for WF 2011, its "mentally" scribed on my wall in blood. It just isn't there for Sept 2010. To go I need a big push, I will ask my climbing buddy if he will go along, that is probably what I need to get me there - otherwise I'll just enjoy another century in beautiful (and mountainous) Vermont and beat myself up the following weekend on Greylock.

BTW - NYSEF will get a bunch of money from me when I pay my daughters tuition plus all the other fees not to mention the fact that she has out grown all her equipment. It's like buying a new Pino Prince every year...

You can do that ride up Whiteface any time. Perhaps not the adrenalyn of doing it on an organised race but it is local to you.

But the organised 100 miler will not come round again for a while.

Your decision but if you want to do a short ride (1 1/2 hours is short) then do it- but it might be more enjoyable to do a 5 hour ride with company instead

You have a very strong bond with your daughter and you both enjoy cycling and skiing together along with svereal other interests. Will she feel at all slighted if you choose a Vermont Tour over an assault on WF that helps support her ski racing? Will you feel at all guilty choosing the tour over the race?

The answers to those two questions should guide you in your decision.

Indeed Oh wise one.

Frankly it greatly disturbs me that you would even think there is a decision to be made. Your daughter always comes in front of your recreational desires.

To pass on one of the most memorable things my daughter ever said: "Dad I won't be with you forever so lets..." I can't imagine the memory if I had not heeded that statement. Well, yes, I can imagine and it is a horror.

I generally agree with the sentiment, but I would have to place my threshold somewhere beyond "at all" on the being slighted or feeling guilty fronts. Picking that point can be tricky, but can be done.

I would definitely not want to really hurt a loved one's feelings about something really important to them, but it can actually be good to establish that your wants and needs carry some weight. Loving your kids does not require that you completely spoil them rotten and let them walk all over you. That is their grandparents' job.

Woo Now - my daughter will not at all be upset, slighted or disappointed if I don't do this ride. The support is minor ($60 - swag and BBQ) and just a small added factor that would help to justify any decision to do the ride.

(click for larger image) Looks nice huh? This could be you.

Not for nuthin but the only difference between Vermont and the Adirondaks in the Autumn is the taxes....ours are bigger!!

Here's a picture from near Long Lake from September 24, 2008

I saw that view as I road past this summer, will drive by that spot on my way to Saranac this weekend for the Pat Stratton Century - and don't get me started on the taxes!

Sure has a different tone than your original post. The question of why you are asking for advise remains. Seems you had already made up your mind and were just nattering.

Actually not - still going back and forth. I don't know where I'll end up. Been pondering the thoughtful comments.

By the way kr32, that is a beautiful photograph. I find fall foliage can be a very difficult to photograph but you've done a fine job with this one!

Agree with you Lenny and coming from someone with as much photographic talent as you - a real complement.

Lenny,
I wish I could take credit but all I did was google and there it was. I personally have never been to Vermont but have wanted to go to a Streetrod show in Burlington? for several years. It happens in October too so the fall foliage would be cool to see.