I don't know much about your physical conditioning, but some people, especially those over 55, can't handle constant day and day out long rides, older people need a bit more time off. The century training programs show one day off a week, but for older people there are recommendations that they take 2 days off, not in roll but rather in the middle of a week day training program and again at the end of the one long weekend ride. My wife and I are both 60, she lead a sedentary lifestyle and is paying for it, so she's trying to ride a bike now, I designed a training program but after about 4 weeks it became apparent she needed a second day off. Even though I'm also 60 I've been riding all my life so one day off is all I need. I think for your training you should take a mid week day off and again at the end of the longer weekend ride, but I don't know you so you have to be the judge of that from how tired you feel. That only applies for the training, once you do the tour 4 days won't be as bad because at the end of 4 days you're resting.

Again this all an opinion, you have to decide what's best for you.

The tour organizers got back to me and simply said that my pace even if as low as 11mph would be fine. Terse, but good news.

Yippy, that is good news, no, that's great news. Go and have a good time then. But do those training tips we gave you so you can do with a bit more energy and you won't feel so wasted.

It really is vital to do that. I had strings of 7, 7, and 9 days with only two day off in them to prepare for coming to Italy. Some of the days were very easy mind you.... maybe an hour or a little more at easy pace. Some of them were longer rides too, done mostly at endurance pace or a little above. A lot of those days I did not really feel like riding.... "oh old folks need more rest" came creeping into my head. But I was strong and felt good by the end and could have run the 9 day string on longer.

I don't think your speed is a problem. If you are really feeling bad during the ride, I think organizers will let you ride the sag wagon... easier for them than worrying about you out there struggling on the road.

you my friend are stresing out way too much about this... its a fun ride... Just go and have fun! Now if the event said this is for racers or is a timed event or whatever, then OK stress out... multiday rides are meant for socializing, sight seeing, having fun. It's not like you need to get home and make dinner for the family. You have a nice hotel to crash at and I'm sure dinner is being provided. And so what if you have to ride alone? I have done that more times than I can remember... it gives me time to stop when I want for pictures, or talking to people or just enjoying myself...

A superb point.

The last four days I did 28 miles, 17 (squeezed in, due to travel to Michigan), 29 and 45. Tomorrow I will try for another 40 to 50. Feeling good. I will be in the UP of Michigan for the next few days, the biking is nice but it is hot for the UP. I dropped my speed down considerably, figuring that I am going for distance not for speed. Today in the heat I only averaged 12.5. But dropping one mph makes a big difference.

It's pretty clear to me that you can do this, Goldfinch. And you are right about 1mph. Further is much, much easier than faster.

Update: After days in the row of 28, 17, 29 and 45 I going to do a longer ride on day five but pooped out and only did a slow and easy 10 with spouse. As in not even aerobic. Today I did 60 and felt great. The 60 was slow, I did two really long hills that went for several miles so my average fell to short of 11mph, but I don't expect hills that big on the tour. I am happy with feeling so good as today was hot and the black flies were biting. And I got stung by something. Good times! Now I'll see if I can ride tomorrow. It might storm, putting the kibosh on riding. The day after we leave Marquette, Michigan, the Finnish Riviera, for who knows where. Maybe Wisconsin.

While riding along Lake Superior I met up with a group from Woman Tours, who were riding around Lake Superior. I rode with them about 10 miles. They also convinced me that I could do the tour I wanted. And encouraged me to try one of their tours. The pace they were riding was a slow goldfinch style pace.

Great job Goldie, keep it up and you should be ready for the 4 day touring trip.

Yesterday with a 60 mile ride (plus another six in the evening cruising slowly with spouse) should have told me to take a day off. Instead, I rode just short of 34 today at a slow pace and am pooped. The last five miles were a bit of a struggle. Given how many miles I've piled on in the last week I think it is time for a break. Probably pushed a bit too hard. I'm too stubborn.

Your inner toughness is emerging, just as your resolve and confidence have increased. This is a natural response, and good because it's where greatness is discovered. Way to go!

Minnesota, no Mountains .

Think of it as 35 miles before lunch and 25 after, or visa versa, if you wish..

Well done.... several days in a row. One day off. Repeat and you will be much stronger.... all is going according to plan.

Remember to have a very easy week before your multi-day ride.... stupidly easy.

Latest string was a day off, then 20 (working it harder than usual), 27 and then 55 today. Again, I am pooped out. Really pooped. I am taking two days off as I am traveling. Maybe that will help. Then, crank it back up again. Friday and Saturday I am doing the last two days of Ragbrai for the experience.

Good job goldie! Last two days of RAGBRAI might be very hot and crowded with riders of unknown skill who don't hold their line, so be careful out there.

Heed my advice to have a very, very easy week before your event. Post a pic or two of RAGBRAI?

I did my two days of RABRAI and had an amazing amount of fun. The first day was 53 miles and the second 67. I had no problems on the second day but it was helped by a tailwind and cool temperatures. For once, I actually passed a few people on the hills. Oddly, last night after the first ride I was very tired and very cranky. But I got a solid 8 hours of sleep last night and was feeling great this morning. My guess is that today's ride was my fasted metric ever. However, my speedometer died so I will never know.

I think I am ready for my four day event. I am going to try riding some, but not a lot tomorrow. And yes, the week before I will slow down.

My camera took terrible blurry pictures, I think water got into the lens yesterday. I have a new cell phone and have to figure out how to download the pictures. Hope I got a few that were OK.

Usually a sign of a need to eat more in the latter part of the ride... which can be overlooked a little, even two or three miles from the finish, because the thought can be "It isn't far to go, I don't need to eat until I finish".

Thanks! I hardly remember where I was yesterday, much less where I ate and what. I do think that I was about 10 miles before the end when I ate last.

Un Loading my Panniers and letting entropy spread the contents over my house was probably an error, in retrospect..

You entropeed right into my thread.

Good report........

Great news, I think you're ready too now!

My last set of rides were roughly 32, 31, 36 and then today, 56. None terribly speedy, but I am feeling fine. The 36 miler had a lot of hills. Tomorrow off with maybe a short ride with the spouse and then maybe one last longer ride.

When you slow down the week or so before an event how much do you ride? Several slow ten milers? Thursday I will be driving 500 miles back home--no riding. Friday I will recover from driving and visit with relatives. A short ride to keep things moving? The weekend I am spending at a cabin with friends, no bike. Monday and Tuesday I can ride, but how much? Then Wednesday I will be driving for half the day to the ride start and Thursday the ride begins.

It's okay and a good thing to ride. Just keep it shorter and slower than you might normally would. Resist going at a harder pace even though you feel like it.