Fighting the post event blahs
One of the things I struggle with sometimes is something I call the “post-event blahs.” It usually happens after a big cycling event. And honestly, I think it’s a real thing.
For me, it shows up pretty consistently after a major ride. There’s this strange letdown afterward, even when the event goes well. The latest example was the Gran Fondo San Diego. My goal for that ride was simple: finish and finish strong. I accomplished both.
But afterward? Molly and I had some post-ride pasta at the venue, packed up the bike, drove home, rolled the bike back into the garage… and I didn’t even want to look at it for a couple of weeks. Well, to be honest the day after the ride we left for Hawaii, so that took care of the first week. We’ll call that a good recovery week.
I think the reason for this feeling is that for weeks — sometimes months — the event becomes the focus. Every workout, every endurance ride, every interval session is tied to preparing for that one day. Then suddenly it’s over.
And that leaves a little voice in your head asking: “Now what?”
Having a plan helps
So instead of drifting after the Gran Fondo, I sat down with Coach Chi and mapped out the next phase of training. My next major organized ride isn’t until August, which gives us time to step back, rebuild the engine, and prepare the right way. Having a plan gives me focus: daily workouts, weekly targets, accountability.
The plan we sketched out looks something like this:
Base Building Phase I (4 Weeks)
* Zone 2 – 80%
* Zone 3 – 20%
Base Building Phase II (4 Weeks)
* Zone 2 – 80%
* Zone 3 – 12%
* Zone 4 – 8%
Build Phase (5 Weeks)
During this phase we’ll gradually increase mileage and intensity in preparation for the Civilized Metric Century on August 2.
Why Base Building Matters
Base building is a little counter intuitive. In fact, it can feel almost too easy sometimes.
Much of it, 80% in fact is low-intensity riding. Long stretches in Zone 2. Steady efforts. Controlled pacing. Nothing heroic. But this is where endurance is built.
When I first started working with Coach Chi she tried to get me to do base building work and I fought her, it felt too easy and too slow. It felt like it was more of an effort to keep my Heart Rate so low. She proved me wrong so I just do what she says now.
Over time, this type of training improves aerobic efficiency, meaning your body becomes better at producing energy without constantly redlining. It teaches the body to burn fat more efficiently, improves endurance, and creates the fitness foundation needed to handle harder efforts later without burning out.
What building a base looks like day-to-day
In practical terms, it means riding longer while feeling stronger.
What it looks like day-to-day is pretty simple:
Low to moderate intensity rides
Longer steady efforts
Gradually increasing duration over time
Consistency week after week
That last part is the key.
When I was younger, I thought the secret to getting faster was going out and trying to make every ride the fastest ride possible. Turns out that approach mostly led to fatigue, inconsistency, and eventually burnout.
These days I understand something I didn’t appreciate back then: Sometimes riding slow is what ultimately helps you ride faster.
Zone 2 training and Longevity
There’s also another reason I’ve embraced this type of training. Many longevity experts, including Peter Attia, recommend Zone 2 training as one of the best forms of exercise for improving both healthspan and lifespan.
They can explain the cellular science far better than I can — mitochondria, metabolic efficiency, aerobic adaptation, all of that. I’m still learning. But the basic idea makes sense to me: build an engine that lasts.
And honestly, that fits perfectly with what Tour de Bike has become about for me.
Not just chasing speed.
Not just chasing miles.
But chasing longevity and independence later in life.
What’s Next?
The plan Coach Chi developed should build a strong foundation heading into the August Metric Century.
After that comes the Bike the Bay ride here in San Diego. At 25 miles, it’s shorter and more fun-focused, so we’ll probably treat that one as a training ride.
Then things ramp up again quickly.
There are only about nine weeks between Bike the Bay and the 50-mile Bike the Coast ride on October 24, so this will probably deal with a ramp up in intensity and miles. And finally comes the big one: El Tour de Tucson on November 21.
Last year I attempted the full century ride — 103 miles. This year I’m leaning toward sticking with metric centuries, around 62 miles, and focusing on improving pace and fitness.
The goal is to complete the metric El Tour averaging 15 mph. For perspective, my average moving speed at the Medio Fondo last month was 12.3 mph. So yes… there’s still work to do.
But that’s kind of the point.
The events come and go. The medals get hung up. The bike gets rolled back into the garage.
Then comes the next training block.
The next ride.
The next small improvement.
That’s the real journey.
Enjoy the ride 🚴🏽♂️
