Originally Posted by
Bob Dopolina
Not every race is important. Some races are just training with prizes. If it is important I will taper accordingly.
This. You just can't be _on_ for every race. Some races I go into knowing I'm going to suck and I'll ride accordingly. I'll attack just to make people chase (knowing it won't stick) and maybe drop out 2/3rds of the way through. It helps the team and it's good training for me. There's no harm in doing what you want to do and then bowing out early.