Help me get my head around this.
This is my first summer riding in a long time, so I went from 0 miles in April (not counting spinning class) to a 65 mile organized ride in July. I built up to that slowly, lengthening my long weekend rides to prepare. It went fine, but I was tired and I really couldn't get back to my typical speeds even on short rides for at least a week, maybe 10 days.

Now I have 2 opportunities to do 65 mile organized rides on successive weekends. I want to do both: fun people, lovely countryside, but I want to ENJOY them BOTH. I know many more experienced, fit and younger riders would do this on back to back days, but my recovery time is an issue. Also, I'll be on a camping trip until about 5 days before the first ride so I won't have a lot of time in the saddle just prior.

Any tips or strategies? Or should I just choose the short route for one of them? That seems like such a waste of a planned course and sag stations!

Thanks!