OK ladies, I need some advice & encouragement. I am training for a climbing ride on August 5th.

But, I have not been on my bike for a week, and the week before that was spotty. (Some life circumstances hit that took more time and energy than I anticipated.)

This Saturday, I am doing an organized ride as a training ride. It will be 80 miles with 6200' climbing, a good 4 hour drive from home.

The longest ride this year was 70 miles/3500'. The most climbing this year was 5100' over 40 miles (20 miles up, 20 down).

So, in 5 days I will do my longest ride of the year and my most climbing ride ever. I have been off the bike for a week and spotty the week before that.

I need to train for the August ride, and I am signed up for this weekend's ride, and I'm meeting a friend there, so I need to go, although I'm not enthusiastic. And the day before the ride promises to be very exhausting, in a non-physical way due to some circumstances.

Question: What do I do in the next five days? Ride light to stay "rested?" Do some intervals to "open things up?" I'm tired and busy this week.

Help!! Thanks in advance!!