Todd:

My final comment on this matter -- you are talking about exceptions to the
general rule, not about the general rule. Exceptions to the general rule
don't disprove the general rule.

Greg


"Todd Pattist" wrote in message
...
"Greg Arnold" wrote:

I think of it as leaving the current thermal when I
can get to something as good or better, and cruising at the
M-speed that matches the climb rate of the next one. If
it's stronger, I run faster.
In that case, haven't you stayed in the current thermal too long?

If I think it will be weaker,
I run slower.
In that case, shouldn't you stay in the current thermal longer?

You don't always have the option to stay longer or leave
earlier. Cloudbase can cut the top off. If all you can get
to from cloudbase is a weak thermal, then you go slow, even
if you would have preferred to climb longer. A ridge you
need to cross could require you to climb higher in a weak
thermal, even if would have preferred to leave earlier and
even if you can get to the strong thermal at high speed once
you are high enough to cross. Moreover, sometimes you just
change your mind about how strong the next one will be. The
bottom line is it's the next thermal I can get to that
controls the speed I fly to get there.

Todd Pattist - "WH" Ventus C
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