Gunni Grinder has 9,785 feet of climbing on a route that is about 83 percent gravel and dirt roads, including remote roads that receive little to no maintenance. The route starts near 7,700 feet and averages about 8,750 feet above sea level, so the full distance and climbing unfold in thin air.

This is an eight-week plan for Gunni’s distance and climbing on four to six hours a week, starting from the fitness you already have. The limited hours go toward endurance, climbing, and riding well when you are already tired.

WHAT'S INSIDE

• Structured workouts on your calendar, with real power and heart-rate graphs


• Strength work built in, with video walkthroughs


• Weekly notes from me, plus the Gravel Grit mental program


• A testing week, so the plan runs on your real numbers


• The full Gunni Grinder guide — terrain, gearing, fueling