This Sunday is the annual Cider Mill Century, rolling out of the Louisburg Cider Mill onto the roads of Miami County, Kansas.

Last year, the Cider Mill Century was my first 100-mile ride, and what a glorious day it was.

This year, I’m trying to decide whether to ride the recumbent or the mountain bike. It’s kinda coming down to what I ought to do vs. what I want to do.

I know, with probably 95% certainty, that the recumbent is the better tool for the job. On the bent I’d probably ride faster, certainly ride more comfortably, and mostly likely end up with fewer aches and pains at the end.

On the other hand, I’ve been there, done that, and doing a century on an upright bike is uncharted territory. Granted, I’ve done an 80-mile day on the mountain bike, but I haven’t hit triple digits yet.

In an effort to make up my mind, I did a recumbent test run today. I’ve been riding the mountain bike a lot lately, and the recumbent hardly at all — do I still have the legs for it?

Turns out … maybe. One mile in, and the bent still felt awkward. Ten miles in, and I was cruising and feeling great. By the end of the ride, 23+ miles total, I was feeling it. The recumbent really does use slightly different muscles than the upright, and I could tell.

Could I make the hundred on the recumbent? Yeah.

Could I make the hundred on the mountain bike? Probably.

Which one excites me more? The mountain bike. There, decision made.