We’re very pleased to announce a brand new gravel training plan for Endurance Nation members. Over the past two years, more and more of our members have been tackling these new off-road challenges.

It’s about time that we had a training plan specifically to prepare them for this level of adventure.

The Basics

This 14-week plan will carry you from basic fitness to peak readiness for your 6- to 10-hour gravel event.

Note the chart below only contains the “interval” and “key training” elements from the weekly rides.

The average training time is approximately 12 hours a week (light on the early side, heavier later).

Three Phases: 

• Build: A total of 8 weeks increasing your aerobic volume on the weekends and intervals during the week.
• Peak: Four (4) total weeks that target race-specific intensity and a longer weekend ride. This is accompanied by structured and overworked during the week.
• Taper: Two (2) weeks to dial the intensity back and convert that fatigue into fitness for the big day!

Minimum Training Requirements

It’s important to note that this plan presumes a basic level of cycling fitness when you begin. Athletes should be able to cycle three times a week at a minimum. Approximately somewhere between four and six hours a week.

Some of you will already be will be on that amount, but this is the minimum baseline level to start. If you need more fitness before you begin this program, we would recommend using our Cycling Durability Program (4-week blocks) or our Bike Focus Program (6-weeks).

Key Sessions

There are different types of key sessions depending on the phase of your training.

In the build phase, key sessions include intervals during the week and long aerobic mileage on the weekends. We double up on the weekend bike rides to aggregate training time for a greater impact on your fitness with a lower impact on your tim

In the peak phase, your key session is a Race Pace workout. This Saturday session includes significant time at go race peace. We break this up into intervals to make it achievable and to give you time to recover and fuel as needed.

There are skill and aerobic options sprinkled throughout the program, but you can add / modify to accommodate your needs.

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MS: Choose Your Ability Level

L1 = 4 x 15′ (5′) @ Zone 3. Last 3′ of each rep done at 80rpms or lower cadence.
L2 = 3 x 20′ (5′) @ Zone 3. Last 3′ of each rep done at 80rpms or lower cadence.
L3 = 2 x 30′ (5′) @ Zone 3. Last 5′ of each rep done at 80rpms or lower cadence.

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All Abilities 

As you can see from the workout description above, every single training session has three different options. This ensures that athletes can follow the same training program but adapted to their individual fitness situation.

• Level One is for beginner endurance athletes, or people returning from a long time off / away.
• Level Two is for express riders who are looking to continue their general progression.
• Level Three is for competitive riders looking to be their personal best.

Ready to Get Started?

Even though you’ve already been training, we hope that you are excited for the new plan. Built by athletes for athletes, we believe this plan can help you be successful at your next event adventure.

If you’d like to join the gravel adventure with Endurance Nation, take the Good to Gravel 14-week challenge. 

Join our community to access the plan and fellow riders preparing for the next epic event.

Use the code GOOD2GRAVEL to get your first month of training FREE…offer ends June 2021.

Sign up here: www.endurancenation.us/join