La Épica Gravel Grinder runs March 26–28, 2027 from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Its competitive general classification combines a required 170-kilometre queen stage on Saturday with a required 112-kilometre eight-lap circuit stage on Sunday; Friday’s criterium is optional.
This twelve-week Finisher plan builds the endurance and pacing to complete a 170-kilometre queen stage followed by 112 kilometres the next morning. Long rides make hot-weather pacing, mixed-surface control, and overnight recovery, fueling, and equipment choices routine before race week, while the progression leaves enough recovery to absorb the work.
175.2 MI · N/A FT CLIMBING · THE ORGANIZER DESCRIBES COASTAL GRAVEL SECTORS, AGRICULTURAL · 12 WEEKS · 7–11 HR/WK · FINISHER
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 and a mid-plan retest, so the plan runs on your real numbers
- The full La Épica Gravel Grinder guide — terrain, gearing, fueling
Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party