This 28-week Leadville 100 MTB training plan is built specifically for riders aiming to finish the race strong and confidently. Whether it’s your first 100-miler or your first time tackling Leadville’s altitude and iconic climbs, this plan gives you clear structure, progressive endurance development, MTB-specific skills work, and race-ready preparation.
Created by Enduraprep Head Coach Lawrence Cronk—a verified Sub-9 finisher (from the back corral) at Leadville 100—this plan provides the same proven methods used by athletes preparing for endurance MTB events worldwide.
**Who This Plan Is For**
*First-time Leadville athletes or someone who has DNF'd before
*Riders targeting a successful finish rather than a specific time
*Anyone training with 7–12 hours per week
*Mountain bikers, gravel riders, or road cyclists stepping into ultra-endurance
*Athletes who want a long-term, structured progression without excessive intensity
**What the Plan Delivers**
*A full 28-week periodised program (Base → Build → Peak → Taper)
*Power, heart rate or RPE-based workouts
*Strength training integrated and periodized
*A progressive long-ride structure designed for first-time 100-mile MTB athletes
*Climbing workouts inspired by Leadville’s course features: Powerline, Sugarloaf, Columbine
*Recovery weeks for recovery and adaptation
*Fuelling and long session guidance via video recording with Coach Cronk
*Final weeks focusing on pacing, and race-day execution
**Included Extras**
*Video walkthrough explaining how to personalise weekly hours, modify around life, swap sessions, and interpret sessions
*Enduraprep Nutrition App www.mymenucoach.co.uk
*Refund of this plan when upgrading to 1:1 coaching with Coach Cronk
(www.enduraprep.com/online-coaching)
**Training Requirements**
You do not need to be an advanced rider to start this plan. A basic fitness foundation (2–4 rides per week) is recommended. All workouts can be completed outdoors or on a smart trainer and include clear instructions.
**Why This Plan Works**
It builds fitness gradually, adds climbing and technical elements in a sustainable way, and ensures you arrive at Leadville prepared, fresh, and confident. With guidance from a coach who has personally gone Sub-9 on the course, you gain structure backed by experience—not guesswork.
To find out more about coaching head to www.enduraprep.com/online-coaching or reach out to coachcronk@enduraprep.com
At Enduraprep we coach athletes of all levels — from first-time racers to competitive age-groupers chasing IRONMAN or Gran Fondo World Champs slots. Our athletes have taken on everything from 5 km runs & sprint triathlons to multi-day ultra-marathons & extreme challenges.
We provide remote coaching to athletes worldwide, supported by performance testing (VO₂ max & resting metabolic rate) in South Wales, UK. Plus training camps at our base in training paradise, The Kamnik Savinja Alps, Slovenia.