Distance Climbing: Tapering?
For all you folks who have done long climbing event rides...I would like to hear your advice on my next 3 weeks leading up to the Shasta Summit Century (August 5th, 100 miles, 10,000 feet). I have three weeks until the ride.
For the past two weeks, my long rides have been 80 miles with about 7,300 feet of climbing. These rides have two distinct parts: first 40 miles is 5000 feet of climbing, second 40 miles is only 2000 feet.
These have been fairly hard rides for me, leaving me sore, although not totally wasted. For instance, last week I did that ride, and by this week I felt ready to do it again. I did not notice any super-compensation effect in terms of a stamina surge. But, I also didn't feel any left-over fatigue from last week, either.
The other exercise for the past two weeks have been some in-gym recovery rides, some in-gym aerobic base exercise for 30-60 minutes, and 1/week spin bike intervals. Also abs and back extensions.
QUESTIONS: Should I try to fit in one more long climbing ride next week, which would leave me a 2-week taper? Is 2 weeks long enough to totally restore glycogen and repair all muscle/tissue damage? If so, should I do a similar ride to the past two? Or, should I attempt a final, harder ride (such as Hurricane Ridge x2 for a total of 80 miles and 10,000 feet)? :eek: I'm not clear I could actually finish that ride, but I am prepared to try, and I feel it would show more how it will be to do a LOT of climbing in the 2nd half of the ride, not just the 1st half.
Or, should I back off the harder rides and start doing more shorter rides more frequently? Is 3 weeks too far out to start that? Or, up the intervals while going shorter? Or, should I get in some really long distance with less muscle damage...something with less climbing? :confused:
As you can see, despite doing my reading about tapers and so forth, I really have no actual experience for what is optimal. I would appreciate all opinions. :)
