Tapering before a hilly race: Strategies for peak performance - Whats the optimal balance between reducing the intensity and frequency of workouts, and maintaining just enough load to keep the legs fresh and ready to tackle grueling climbs, without falling into the trap of losing that hard-earned fitness edge, especially when the body is accustomed to high-mileage training and suddenly forced to adopt a more relaxed pace, and how do you fine-tune this delicate balance to avoid the dreaded taper tantrums where the body rebels against the sudden change in routine, and what specific workout protocols and periodization strategies have proven effective in allowing riders to peak at the right moment, and is it better to focus on high-intensity interval training, or longer, more leisurely spins to maintain cardiovascular fitness, and what role does nutrition and recovery play in this process, particularly when it comes to managing inflammation, replenishing glycogen stores, and ensuring the body is adequately fueled for the demands of racing, and are there any specific metrics or biomarkers that can be used to gauge the effectiveness of the taper, and identify potential warning signs that the body is not responding as expected.