Master the 100-Mile Gravel Grind
This 20-week plan is designed for riders who have been in the saddle for long events before but are looking to dial in their gravel-specific performance. Move beyond just finishing and start mastering the unique demands of off-road endurance.
The Benefits for You
- Gravel-Specific Durability: Build the resilient power needed to handle rolling terrain and technical riding over 100 miles.
- Refine Your Engine: Advance your aerobic threshold and muscular endurance to maintain speed.
- Strategic Preparation: A structured, heart rate based approach to volume and intensity.
Targets of the Plan
- Develop the specific strength required for steep gravel climbs and loose descents.
- Optimize your pacing and fueling strategy for 6+ hours of off-road effort.
- Arrive at the start line with the fitness and technical confidence to improve your previous long-distance benchmarks.
Structured Progression
- Volume & Variety: A 20-week build that respects your experience, scaling from established base miles up to a peak 80 mile simulation.
- Performance Focused: Averages 6 to 8 hours, peaking at 11 hours of riding per week, utilizing a mix of intervals and sustained zone 2 work.
Key Features
- Terrain-Adapted Intervals: Sessions designed to mimic the surges required on gravel inclines.
- Intensity: A step up from beginner plans, focusing on efficiency and sustained power.
- Flexible Training: Sessions based on heart rate, or perceived effort to suit your setup.
- Integrated Smartwatch Support: Follow your workouts live and track your progress seamlessly.
Who Is This Plan For?
- Experienced Riders: Cyclists who have completed a century or long sportives and are ready to tackle the specific challenges of 100 miles on gravel.
- Return to Distance: Athletes who want a 20 week return to peak for a marquee event.
- The Progressing Amateur: Riders looking for more than a "finishers" plan but who still need the flexibility of a structured schedule.
What You Get
- 20 weeks of detailed, periodized training.
- A mix of steady-state endurance, threshold work, and long rides.
- A fully integrated training calendar for seamless scheduling.
Check out our other 100 Mile Training Plans Here
Your Next Level Awaits
Don't just show up to the start line; show up ready to dictate your ride. This 20-week journey will sharpen your fitness and give you the tools to handle whatever the gravel throws at you.
With over a decade of professional swim coaching and an international triathlon background, I help beginners and developing athletes build sustainable habits for endurance sport. I coach athletes currently training under 12 hours a week who may not have grown up in sport. My approach prioritises clarity, patience, and purpose behind every session, ensuring training fits around your life without unnecessary pressure.