Train smart with a bike racing training plan by Joe Friel, best-selling author and internationally recognized endurance coach.
- Plan is intended for the under-age-50 cyclist who has been racing for one or more years.
- Plan is for 11 weeks of Build-Peak-Race period training, culminating with your A-priority road race in the last week of the plan.
- Receive two follow-up emails from Joe with more information on the plan (must provide email address at time of purchase).
- If plan is not working for you within the first 2 weeks, you can switch to a plan of equal value or receive a full refund.
“Joe Friel is arguably the most experienced personal cycling coach in the U.S.” —Bicycling magazine
“Joe Friel is one of the world’s foremost experts on endurance sports.” —Outside magazine
“Your training approach really helped propel my cycling and helped me train and race at my best.” —Mitchell, amateur cyclist
This intermediate road cycling plan was designed by Joe Friel using the principles from
The Cyclist’s Training Bible. Having this book handy will help with many of the workouts presented in the training plan but is not necessary.
Who is this plan for?
This plan is intended for the under-50 road cyclist who has been racing for one or more years. The plan uses common cycling language to describe the workouts and is easy to follow. By the end of 11 weeks you will have excellent fitness and be ready for your A-priority road race.
When should you start the plan?
This plan is best started 11 weeks prior to your A-priority road race. You should be able to train about 12 hours a week. Your bike heart rate training zones should be set before starting the plan. (For a detailed description of how to set your zones for heart rate, power, or pace,
read this.)
What is the weekly volume?
Over the plan’s 11 weeks you will increase your weekly race-like intensity while weekly volume remains at about 12 hours (except for rest and recovery weeks every fourth week). There is an emphasis on high-intensity training to prepare you for the race. Optional strength workouts are included each week to maintain your gains made in the Base period. (If you didn’t lift in the Base period, omit the strength workouts.)
Do you need any devices or apps?
You must have a heart rate monitor to use this plan (there is a similarly titled plan for power meter users). The plan was created using the TrainingPeaks “Workout Builder” format so that workouts may be uploaded to a device (heart rate monitor, power meter, indoor trainer, etc.) so that you may closely follow the details of the ride during the workouts. (For more information on compatible devices and apps and how to export the workouts,
read this. However, it’s not necessary to upload the workouts in order to use this plan.)
After your event, please provide feedback on how this plan worked for you. Thanks again for your interest in my training plans, and I hope your training and racing go very well this season.
An endurance coach since 1980, Joe Friel has worked with triathletes, cyclists, and runners around the globe. He trains coaches and assists various national federations and national Olympic team staff. He also consults with professional athletes and sports-related businesses. Coach Friel occasionally offers personal camps and seminars for clubs and teams. He has authored 17 books on training including the best-selling Training Bible series. For more info, go to his blog at www.joefrielsblog.com.