This training plan has been designed by Pav Bryan — Olympic cycling coach, TrainingPeaks Level 2 Coach and Amazon #1 Author.
Building towards a Double Century using heart rate?
This plan is designed for endurance cyclists who can already complete around 50 miles and want a structured route towards riding 200 miles using heart rate to guide training intensity.
A Double Century requires much more than simply increasing your distance. You need deep aerobic endurance, excellent fatigue resistance, disciplined pacing and a nutrition strategy that continues to work hour after hour.
This plan develops those qualities progressively so that you arrive better prepared for the physical and mental demands of an ultra-distance ride.
Who this plan is for
This version is best suited to riders who are already comfortable completing rides of around 50 miles and prefer to structure their training using heart rate.
You should ideally have at least 4–8 weeks of consistent riding completed before starting.
If you're already comfortable riding around 100 miles, a Double Century plan starting from a 100-mile base may be a better fit.
What the plan includes
- One key longer ride progressing towards ultra-endurance demands
- Focused sessions developing aerobic fitness and sustainable effort
- Supporting endurance and recovery rides
- Two core sessions per week
- Two recovery/rest days
Longer Gran Fondos, Audax rides or other endurance events can be valuable preparation during the plan. Where appropriate, replace a similar planned session rather than simply adding extra training load.
The plan also includes guidance around pacing, nutrition, hydration, technique and preparing for a very long day in the saddle.
Training intensity is designed to be monitored primarily using heart rate, with perceived exertion providing useful additional feedback.
Many cycling sessions contain structured workouts that can be used with compatible TrainingPeaks devices and training platforms.
A note about this Classic Plan
This is one of my Classic TrainingPeaks plans, developed from the coaching methods I've used with endurance cyclists over many years.
The training itself remains fully usable, but because the plan was originally created on an earlier version of TrainingPeaks, some older external links or legacy TrainingPeaks features within individual sessions may no longer be available.
An updated guide is included at the beginning of the plan with additional information and current resources.
Want the plan adapted around you?
A pre-built plan is a great option if you're comfortable managing your own training.
But no generic plan can know your exact fitness, available time, recovery, work and family commitments, strengths, weaknesses or how you're responding from week to week.
If you'd like me to build and manage your training personally, you can upgrade to 1:1 coaching at any point.
TrainingPeaks plan customers receive an exclusive coaching upgrade offer.
You'll find details and a link to book a free consultation with me at the start of the plan.
Build patiently, pace by heart rate — and prepare for 200 miles.
Olympic cycling coach, TrainingPeaks Level 2 Coach, Amazon #1 Author and Seven Summits cycling world record holder. I coach riders from first Gran Fondos and amateur races through to ultra-endurance, national and world-class performance. My approach combines proven training principles with your goals, available time, recovery and life outside cycling.