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big bike week

i have 4 days cycling planned according to the big bike week philosophy.  i can see the mileage parameters in the wiki.  but no mention of the effort level..zone 1, 2, etc..it says the 1st day is easy (is 80 miles ever easy?)  then negative splits, the following days.  can someone give me some guidance on how to pace this week.  thanks (i use heart rate zones)

brian

Comments

  • GO BOOMER!

    Having never seen the wiki, I'd guess its like this: Stay as fresh as a daisy day 1, like it's a warm up and then add in more intensity as each day goes on, like adding weight to the bar. Getting into your upper zones all days some isn't a problem unless you go z4, 5+ for extended periods and then fail to recover well overnight. Like a super long race, be there for the second half. Begin with the end in mind. End it on day 4 weak as a kitten.

    I wouldn't get too fixated on your hr except to keep yourself from redlining too early and blowing up. Z1,2,3 is not going to keep you from answering the bell for the last day- unless you fail to work your overnight recovery plan. And I'd say pay major attention to between days recovery- that is the secret. Legs up, hydrate, compression, shake right after the ride, maybe an ice bath too, stretch, massage, rollers......the works. Older folk can still throw down but we have to be diligent with recovery. EN doesn't delve much into the old dude world, so we have to look out for ourselves.

    Have fun and good luck.
  • Ditto, Chris. I have found the hard way that recovery is key and takes a lot longer the older you get.
    Best of luck, Brian.
  • finished the big bike week. took the advice, and controlled pace. 1st day was the hardest, but i think due to poor nutrition more than anything. for each of the following days, the second half of the ride seemed easier after letting my sore legs loosen up. finished today with 100 miles in 5 1/2 hrs...was happy about that, and real happy this whole thing is in my review mirror. taking wife out tonight to replenish the sau's!
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