I agree, a full week of total rest before a race would be a disaster for me. My approach is to train hard the weekend before the race; and then in the week leading up cut my volume: with several easier rides, one day of intevals (but fewer than I would do during a regular training week), and then the day before do a short easy ride with a couple of "opener" efforts (exact nature of which would depend on the type of event). This has worked pretty well for me so far; some might find it a bit too much but I don't really seem to do well with too much rest.