What I do is a very easy flower smelling, rose sniffing cruise through a park. Just enough to stretch and spin up the legs on Feiday, If not, Thursday. But no effort at all. At this point, you're either trained or you're not, so just relax and enjoy the cruise on Thrus or Fri..:D

One thing you don't want to do, and I saw it on the TDF a couple years back. EVERYBODY raced off the line like madmen!:eek:. Mainly because of the police escort. Too may people got excited and raced the first few miles across Foothill, and they shouldn't have. Many were already looking wasted by the time they reached Bonelli Park. If you try to match the group, it can cost you bigtime soon after the start. Don't get sucked into the game. Like any ride, do your pace, if you feel good midway, then maybe pick up the pace some but DON'T burn yourself out early. You've got a long way to go. Heck, don't feel bad if you find yourself at the tail end of the riders after the beginning. I do many times but pass several riders halfway through the ride just holding my pace. Be consistent throughout the ride, not a speed demon at the start.:thumb:

You've done all you need to do to this point. Just rest. Tonight is the night you want to sleep the best.

Beanz: thank you for this advice. I've read it before but it is worth reading again, and again. I like to go fast but my legs take about 30 minutes to fully warm up and feel good -- so, I plan to start in my warm-up zone and ride the first 20 there or in my recovery zone; in the next 20, I'll keep a comfortable cruising pace; then, in the last 20 (after Baldy), I'll use my reserves and crank it up and ride as fast as I can manage. My biggest challenge will be ignoring the voices in my head saying I'm too slow and need to pick up the pace. Easy does it... and I'll be passing the jackrabbits in the final 20!

Thanks Joe --- that's what I'm thinking. Going to the spin class doesn't mean just riding --- it also means having to get home early enough (through a thick, slow-as-molasses 26-mile commute), then changing into my clothes and getting to the class in time to get a bike, set it up, warm up, etc. etc. Then, get home and eat dinner early enough that it won't interfere with my sleep, and have just enough time to get ready for the next day. That's not a restful evening. :eek:

By all means, have a relaxing evening the night before the ride. Have a nice meal, either out or at home, and kick back. Watch a movie, read a book, whatever relaxes you most. Have a great ride. :)

Yen, you have absolutely nothing to worry about and I say that because you sound like a worrier. Do not have any negative thoughts only positive ones. You have done all the preparation necessary. The ride will be a time to have fun with friends and others.

With respect to the last couple of days, this is a very individualistic thing. I used to rest the day before and event or race or ride very easy. Today, I use a routine designed to "top up" performance which some people call a leg opener. What happens when you take a day off right before an event is the body starts to go into recovery which is not a bad thing per se. The theory is one does not want 48 hours to go by where the next hard effort you see is in the event e.g. a climb. So the day before the event, I warm up and do a couple of low cadence z3 efforts, a z5 effort and a couple of sprints. This will be much less than I normally do but just enough to signal my body not to go into total recovery. Now that last time your legs experienced a hard effort with be within 24 hours.

This is where one must know yourself. Rest or leg opener is determined by experimentation. However, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS!!!!! WHatever you do, it will be fine. This is an optimization not a necessity.

Now, in your ride on Saturday, you have plenty of time to take it easy, warm up and get ready for when you need more power. (I think this is the case with the course.) Give yourself at least 1/2 hour to warm up. Going out too hard is a rookie mistake and many will do this at the start. You will pass them all later. One always needs more power and endurance at the end of the ride.

One thing I would do is deep six the stair climbing before and event. It is fine for general cardio but will do nothing but make you tired with respect to cycling.

Hermes: What, me, worry?!? OK, a little... :o

It doesn't help that I am nursing some new knee pain today. :eek: I have an ice pack on it now. Looks like tomorrow will be a total rest day. :thumb:

Thanks BluesDawg.

Tomorrow night we'll go to early check-in to get my bib and goodie bag, eat some dinner, and relax at home. I'll get my bike and other stuff ready tomorrow morning.

Heading west on Baseline about 1/2-1 mile before Campus (I'm thinking that would be near the end of the ride, me no rt. slip.), huge trenches along the bikelane. There were several cement trucks pouring but one has to think that it may not be done or soft tomorrow. CAREFUL!.......and do not shoot out like a rocket on the ride!:D

ACK -- not good! Nor are the winds predicted on the other side of Baldy! Nope, I'm saving my energy for the last 20, on the other side of Baldy. I've been rehearsing this in my mind all week -- start slow, keep a warm-up pace, get the Baldy climb done, and then crank it up. One of our riders sent a heads-up message overnight warning about winds 15-25 mph on the other side of Baldy and encouraging us to conserve our energy for later.

Good luck Yen!

Thanks Joe! I had a great time and did very well on the climbs. I just sat down at home after getting cleaned up. I'll post a report as soon as I can. Might be tomorrow.... I didn't have any caffeine today (except in the Gu gels) so I'm a little fuzzy.:twitchy:

Terrific!!

Everyone knew you could do it.

Congratulations! I had no doubt you could do this:thumb:

Thanks Beverly. :) I knew I could do the miles... just not sure about all the climbing AND the mileage until last week. When I sailed up the mountain while talking, I knew I was ready!

Way to go! :thumb: I knew you would do fine. You were the only one with any doubt. Looking forward to the full report.

So I grabbed the camera and stood out on Foothill to watch the tour go by. Amazing how big this ride is now, might have to give it a try next year. I had about 5 shouts"Mr. Beanz" on the road by riders I didn't know. One was "LittleWing" (not the correct handle but close :D).

I did take my tools and pump as any smart guy would. Loaned out the pump to 2 different riders while driving the course. Filled about 10 bottles on Baldy Rd for those that couldn't wait til the next waterstation. Gina and I watched the climbers till the end. Good thing cause some needed water and the station at the top of Baldy seemed to have closed shop from what I saw. I shuttled a struggling rider to Shinn Rd, he was having a terrible day.

I did see Yen with her 50+ forum jersey. Wow, I was expecting an old woman on a hybrid with streamers but DARN, this lady looked hardcore roadie when she rolled by on foothill. Cruising in the pack no problem. Totally surprised when I saw her float up Baldy!:eek: From past reading, I thought she was worried about the climb but nope! The first section of Baldy is steep from what I've experienced. Someone with a Garmin shouted 12% on the ride. It's no baby but I did see a large quantity of riders stop and a good number walk the hill. I thought Yen would stop for a mintue but sheesh, she floated up the hill. I have a scene in the video where she appears to be riding with a group of riders up Baldy. Don't let that fool you. She rode up and the others hopped back on their bikes as she approached them. Of the group in the scene, she was the only one to ride up without stopping.

I did see AZNCarbos, stopped for a chat. Looked like he was working pretty good up the climb. He was doing pretty good but really, I did expect the pace to be a little faster.:D

Gina and I had fun watching the riders climb Baldy. After we headed to the finish. Met up with Jeff and Angie, a new and serious tandem team. That's where I met Yen and had a little fun chat and introduction. Nice Job Yen!:thumb:

Vid should be done on Monday, need lots of time for this one. I have another ride tomoorow and it's my daugthers b-day celebration in the evening.

Yen on Covina Hills Pkwy
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf1.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf2.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf3.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf4.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf5.jpg

This section is tough
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf13.jpg

Yen, no stopping and ready to pass
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf14.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf15.jpg

Yen and my weird face..she did the riding and I look beat up haha!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf16.jpg

Jeff and Angie
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf17.jpg

Hector of Cycling Connection
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf7.jpg

Enjoying the pain, not ours!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf8.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...treme/tdf9.jpg

AZNCarbos aka Peepin' Pete
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf10.jpg

Yen on the steep section
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf11.jpg

A closer look, one hand and a thumbs up!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...reme/tdf12.jpg

Sandbagger! ;)

Agreed.

You actually made it????

Heck, I thought you would be walking the bike DOWNHILL after all the preparation fuss!

Anyway, congratulations. You look as if you are ready for another 62 miles in your pictures.

It looks like she dropped the pack.;) I bet she asks for strokes when she plays golf. Do not give her any.:D

lol!!:roflmao2: The pack behind me isn't my group. I arrived at Baldy Rd. alone after my riding partner separated from me about a mile back (I don't remember why). The first section of Baldy is steep, and that's where I passed some hardcore-looking young roadies in full club kit, stopped on the side to rest.:D I actually wasn't at my best yesterday --- the temps had warmed up to about 80 at this point and I was feeling hot. And my knees weren't feeling good. But, I didn't stop!