I’m doing a single day STP this year. We’re two weeks out from the ride.
I was thinking of going for a big ride today. Maybe 170-200km. But I see TR actually has me beginning to taper next week and down for a shorter solo ride today at 1.5h instead of 4h’sh.
Goal is to be 100% fresh for the ride of course. So bit of a gut check here: Send it or take it easy, buddy?
Worth mentioning I’m also a masters, so probably not bouncing back as quick as a 25 y/o.
I’m nearly 50 and would only consider the week before pushing it, the latest I’d do a biggie is the weekend before to give me time to recover.
I’d personally avoid long rides during your taper. At least two weeks before your event is a good rule of thumb for me.
I actually went with not going for a huge ride. Went for like 70km ride instead. Nice and breezy around the island.
In the end, I figured if I was hesitating that’s probably a good sign to just take it easy.
At this point, either I’m ready or not. Not like that one last ride is going to increase my fitness any measurable amount in the short term. So really…it could only hurt by fatiguing me.
Have fun at the STP! Its an amazing day. Keep the breaks short, fill bottles at every chance you can, and if you pull up to an aid station with both bottles full, you’re not drinking enough!