This training plan has been designed by Pav Bryan — Olympic cycling coach, TrainingPeaks Level 2 Coach and Amazon #1 Author.
Taking on your first cobbled Classic?
This plan is designed for newer cyclists who already ride consistently and want a clear, progressive route towards completing a flatter or cobbled Classic-style event.
These events combine long distance with repeated harder efforts, rough surfaces and changing pace. You need aerobic endurance, sustainable power, good fatigue resistance and enough confidence to handle the demands of a long day on varied terrain.
This plan develops those qualities progressively so you can arrive fitter, better prepared and ready for the challenge.
Who this plan is for
This Build Your Fitness version is ideal if you're newer to structured training but already ride regularly and are ready to take the next step.
Training typically involves around 6–8 hours of cycling per week, with the exact training load depending on your fitness and how hard you ride.
You should ideally already be comfortable riding around 80 km per week. If your current volume is lower, build towards that gradually before starting.
What you'll work on
- Aerobic fitness and long-distance endurance
- Sustainable power for longer efforts
- Repeatability for short harder efforts
- Fatigue resistance for long days in the saddle
- Cadence, efficiency and bike handling
- Recovery so you can train consistently
Where possible, practise on cobbles, gravel or similarly rough surfaces before your event. This is useful for developing confidence and testing bike setup, tyres and comfort.
You can follow the sessions using power, heart rate or perceived exertion. A power meter can be useful, but it is not essential.
Simple, structured training
Every workout includes clear instructions so you know what to do and what the session is trying to achieve.
This plan can work for events such as Paris–Roubaix Challenge, We Ride Flanders, E3 Classic Cyclo, Omloop Nieuwsblad Cyclo and other flatter Classic-style rides.
Want more support?
This is a self-guided training plan designed to give you a clear structure to follow.
If you'd prefer training built specifically around your goals, available time, fitness and life outside cycling, you can upgrade to 1:1 coaching.
You'll find details and a link to book a free consultation at the start of the plan.
Build your endurance, practise the terrain — and arrive ready for your first Classic.
Coaching athletes from those looking to enter their first event through to those like Mark Beaumont and James Lowsley-Williams ;)
I am experienced in public speaking and have presented numerous times around the world. I became a published author in 2019, with my #1 Amazon New Release book 'The Guide to Truly Effective Cycling'.