Tomorrow is the day. You’ve spent so much time dreaming about this carrera, about putting on your bib number, getting your bike ready, and heading out to give it your all, that these last few hours seem endless. You’ve carefully chosen the event, trained for weeks, maybe months, and the excitement of competing is now mixed with an inevitable dose of nerves.
And that’s normal. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to compete with your mountain bike in an XC or marathon event, or if you’re going to ride your road bike in a demanding race: the nerves are there. You wonder if you’ve trained enough, if you should change your usual routine, if the carrera plan you have in mind will be right, what the weather will be like, or how strong your rivals will be.
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The truth is, many of those factors are out of your control. But not all of them. There’s one you can master: your preparation beforehand. Having a solid, smooth routine before race day will give you confidence and security, help you focus on what’s important, and avoid mistakes that, no matter how small, can make a difference.
In fact, in the hours leading up to any carrera, whether it’s on the road or in the mountains, there are certain mistakes you should never make. From not getting enough rest, to doing workouts you shouldn’t, to poor gear planning or a disorganized diet. At Tuvalum, we know the day before matters—a lot. That’s why, below, we’ll tell you which common mistakes are worth avoiding at all costs so you reach the start line in the best possible shape.
1. Spending the previous day 'resting' on the couch
Exercising too much the day before the competition can be just as bad as spending the whole morning and afternoon lying on the couch. The best advice is to go for a gentle, moderate ride to get a feel for pedaling, but without depleting the reserves you’ll need at the finish line. Riding at 20–30% of the intensity you use in your usual training is a good guideline, though you can adjust the distance or intensity depending on the type of event you’re facing.
2. Not sleeping enough
If the next day you have to give your best, physically and mentally, it’s best to make sure you get enough rest. Sleeping your usual amount of hours to feel at your best will prepare your body for the effort you are going to put it through. Go to bed early and, once there, relax and keep worries or concerns out of your mind. Do not resort to medication to induce sleep artificially, especially if you’ve never taken them before, because the remedy could be worse than the problem and you could wake up with unwanted side effects.
3. Eating a heavy dinner and including fiber on your plate
Heavy dinners cause slow digestion and make it much harder to sleep. Have dinner early and choose something light (you don’t have to go hungry) and avoid foods high in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
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If you tend to suffer from diarrhea, it’s better to forget about salads, which are often chosen for a light dinner. Spicy sauces and foods that tend to cause gas, such as legumes—especially beans, chickpeas, or lentils—are also not advisable. Pasta can be an excellent option. Stay hydrated and include some protein.
4. Not checking your bike or gear
You wouldn’t be the first to arrive at the event location and realize you’ve forgotten your jersey, bib shorts, or helmet. Or, even worse, to find a minor technical issue with your bike that you could have easily fixed the day before.
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Although these are fixable mistakes, you’ll have to spend time resolving them and you’ll lose the focus that matters so much on race day. The day before the event, check that you have all your gear and that your two-wheeled companion is in perfect condition. If you need to make any repairs or adjustments, you’ll have time, and that time alone with your bike will help you review the important points about the competition and visualize the carrera. Remember that races are prepared over months or weeks, not the day before. That means there are no secret formulas to improve performance, no matter how much you want to do the day before. Try to stick to your preparation until that last day and don’t make last-minute changes that could give you an uncertain result.
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