This training plan has been designed by Pav Bryan — Olympic cycling coach, TrainingPeaks Level 2 Coach and Amazon #1 Author.
Taking on a hilly Gran Fondo or sportive?
Whether your goal is simply to finish, ride it more comfortably, or produce your best possible performance, this plan will help prepare you for a long and demanding day in the saddle.
A mountainous Gran Fondo requires more than basic endurance. Long climbs, repeated gradients and accumulated fatigue mean you need climbing strength, sensible pacing, good fatigue resistance and a nutrition strategy that still works late in the ride.
This plan develops those areas progressively so that you arrive at your event prepared rather than simply hoping you can get around.
What the plan includes
Your typical week contains:
- One longer endurance ride, progressing towards the demands of your event
- Two focused midweek cycling sessions, generally around 60–90 minutes
- One shorter weekend session, which can also provide flexibility if life gets in the way
- Two short core sessions
- Two recovery/rest days
The plan includes structured sessions targeting the demands of long, hilly riding, alongside guidance on pacing, nutrition, hydration, technique and preparing for a challenging Gran Fondo or sportive.
You can follow the plan using power, heart rate or perceived exertion, although a power meter can provide additional precision.
Many cycling sessions contain structured workout files that can be used with compatible TrainingPeaks devices and training platforms.
Core and strength training
The plan includes regular core sessions to complement your cycling and help develop the stability and resilience needed for sustained climbing and long days in the saddle.
A note about this Classic Plan
This is one of my Classic TrainingPeaks plans, developed from the coaching methods I've used with endurance cyclists over many years.
The training itself remains fully usable, but because the plan was originally created on an earlier version of TrainingPeaks, some older external links or legacy TrainingPeaks features within individual sessions may no longer be available.
An updated guide is included at the beginning of the plan with additional information and current resources.
Want the plan adapted around you?
A pre-built plan is a great option if you're comfortable managing your own training.
But no generic plan can know your exact fitness, available training time, recovery, work and family commitments, strengths, weaknesses or how you're responding from week to week.
If you'd like me to build and manage your training personally, you can upgrade to 1:1 coaching at any point.
TrainingPeaks plan customers receive an exclusive coaching upgrade offer.
You'll find details and a link to book a free consultation with me at the start of the plan.
Train smart, arrive prepared — and enjoy your event.
Olympic cycling coach, TrainingPeaks Level 2 Coach, Amazon #1 Author and Seven Summits cycling world record holder. I coach riders from first Gran Fondos and amateur races through to ultra-endurance, national and world-class performance. My approach combines proven training principles with your goals, available time, recovery and life outside cycling.