I have a ride on May 5th that has been my focus for the early season. The ride is called Breathless Agony and is held in Southern California. It consists of 114 miles with 12,000 feet of climbing. I did the ride last year, so I know the course. I have trained much harder this year (approx 180 miles per week) and focused more specifically on some long climbs (Mt. Palomar, 4000 feet in about 12 miles). The race is less than 2 weeks away and I am trying to decide whether or not to do one last tough training ride in the hills (2-3 repeats on Palomar) before the big day. How do you taper for a big event? What are your recommendations in my case?

wow thats a ride!!!!

I'd like to see what the BFs say on this one...I would tend to think that you would want to rest for a few days before...just spin it up...

How did you taper last year?

Bob

I ride hard up until 2 days before a race, do 10 miles on the rollers 2 days before, not letting my hr get above 60%.

Then typically spend an hour to 2 hours in zone 1 and 2 the day before, with a few bits of work on climbs and a few sprints, your legs should never hurt during this time though.