How about peaking for RAGBRAI, or any other long-distance recreational event? Where’s the line between being properly prepared; and being over-trained, and going into the event tired?

My interest in long-distance cycling goes back to 2012, or even 2011; and I’ve done a lot of reading about it. Unfortunately I’m not very good at following training plans, nor about taking easy days; and those low-effort days are important for storing up energy for the rides when you need to go hard.

With RAGBRAI 2025 in mind, I’m trying to work up to longer daily rides; and it’s proving rather difficult. Maybe I’m trying to lengthen too many weekday rides too soon? Or am I riding too many miles on days when I include hard efforts? Maybe I don’t ride easily enough in between those hard efforts; and thus can’t make “hard” hard enough!

Peaking for RAGBRAI probably should occur by early July 2025; and that means that I still have plenty of time to train up. In fact, that’s why I’m working at it now! If I wait until next March, it’s probably already too late.