Now qualified for PBP got on turbo first thing this morning. Did a FTP test and as suspected it dropped whilst I completed my 400 and 600 qualifiers. Now going to mix hill work with turbo to give fitness a boost ahead of PBP.
I've struggled a bit coming out of my 600. Had a bad cold, coughing up heaps of gunk and didn't do much for two weeks. There is a lot of learning there for me - listen to my own body, not other people (some people I know were doing back-to-back 600s.) At my age recovery will take longer than for somebody younger.
I did a ramp test almost a week ago and my ftp has dropped as well, 239 down from 260.
I spend my weekends 50 miles away, so for the last 3 weeks I've been cycling one way, doing a fast 50, or 52 miles, trying to add some speed. That is going well, I can sustain a high intensity effor for close on 3 hours. I'm thinking about trying my club TT this week as well, work and weather allowing. That will be my first 10 for about 6 years.
I've mixed views about any long rides before PBP. Within the next two weeks I'm doing a diy 200, but may not do any longer distances than that before PBP. One possibility would be two rides on consecutive days, so possibly two 150s.
PBP is getting scarily close.