Taper?

[annie]

Wow! Great advice!

Annie, I'm going to print that out and keep going over it again and again until that image of a strong, powerful 'me' becomes a reality! I'll let y'all know how it goes. I have to think that I just might not finish last!

I know the course inside and out. I'm hoping that will be my advantage. I've done it countless times (it's part of the ride that I was doing every weekend last year) so I know exactly when to shift up or down. Most folks think it's flat, but there are slight inclines and declines, and I know exactly where they are. I hope that's gonna help. Well, that and the two caffeinated powergels washed down with a Coke I plan to down right before I start!

Knowing the course DOES help! You can take advantage of every little up and down. Are you using aerobars? If so, don't get off them unless absolutely necessary. I can't wait to hear how you do!

Geonz - I've never done an indoor TT......... how does that work? Is it for a set amount of time? Anyway, good luck!

annie

[Geonz]

We're set up with Computrainers on computer courses on our trainers. They do some hocus-pocus with a calibrator, including factoring our weight, and then it's ready set GO! on the virtual course, which for us is 10K.
There are graphics of our bikes and a display of speed, power, and distance done, as well as distance between the riders. You get to totally focus on yourself and the numbers without driving into trees or anything :-) Utter klutzes such as myself like that; the folks who really like racing probably hate it. Aerobars are useless too - fans are very helpful.
The stuff about hovering right at that 'lactate threshold' is what it's all about... if only I knew where mine was...where did I put it last?

[Pedal Wench]

I'm not using aerobars, but I've been trying to stay in my drops for the entire time. I have bars, but I've never used them on the road. (I put them on my trainer bike becasue I was having some issues with my hands, and I was experimenting to see if riding was exacerbating the situation.)

I'm also not sure of what my exact LT is. I know approximately though, and I'm hoping to stay slightly above that for as long as possible. Is that a good game plan? I think it's at about 160 bpm, and I'm hoping to ride between 165 - 170 bpm. Max I've ever seen is 179. I might go to 175-177 for the last mile.