Quote Originally Posted by luvmyguys View Post
What does "not too hard" feel like?
It feels easy. Really. Like you have to hold yourself back from riding what you think you are capable of. Downshifting one extra gear than you think need to.

Using that strategy, you'll find you won't slow down much in the second half, if at all. Your legs will still feel fresh at 80 miles. You won't be bonking, assuming you have fueled well. And you'll finish wanting more, not thinking that you can't pedal another foot.