big ride...week off...

[Funhog]

Your reason of "just don't want to" is actually quite telling. It sounds to me like you went into overtraining mode - so "just don't want to" is your body's way (through lack of motivation) of saying "Halt! No more!" Picture a dog on a leash with his feet planted resisting going to the vet and no amount of pulling that leash will get him to change his mind.

The intense exhaustion you describe after some long rides were also telling you something. Yes, you do want to occasionally "over-reach" as it is called, but only with ample recovery. Looks to me like your subconscious and your body were in cahootz and scheduled its own recovery through resisting getting on a bike - and fortunately just in time! As Geonz said, looks like you're tapering!

I think that any more riding this week, except for maybe a light spin here and there or a short (30-min) hard ride after 4 days off, might have held you back. The last thing you want on your century is heavy legs. You want to feel fresh. Sounds like you should be there - let us know how it goes!

[bouncybouncy]

Well Ladies...it sucked!!! I, however, felt fine!

The day started with flashes of lightning, claps of thunder, drops of rain, and a pissed of cyclist!!! I usually never register early for events for this very reason, but for some crazy moment I thought it to be a good idea...so I was committed.

A few hundred of us stood at the start waiting for the "GO"...all was ok for the first 18 miles...then the sky opened up!!! We missed a turn and it all went crazy from there...

We sought refuge in a self carwash...ran into a few guys who were going next door to the laundry mat to dry a few items (gloves, toe covers, socks...) waited for the nastiness to pass...got directions to the quickest was back to the town we got directions from a fellow at the postoffice across the street...and pedaled our way back to the start. 30 miles total.

It was a cold nasty storm that defeated us...we spent the next 2 hours waiting for our friend who actually had the kaonas (sp?) to ride the whole thing justifying our decision!!! We are ultimately ok with our decision but I still feel a little pissy that I did not try harder!!! Oh well, I am safe and a little more motivated to go it again...

Thanks for your comments...back to training!

[Trekhawk]

Sorry about the ride Bouncy. Still I think you made the right decision sounds like terrible weather to be riding in. Glad you made it back safe and sound.