This is a beginner's training plan to go from the couch to your first Criterium race. If you are not a racer or have a short road race, mountain bike race, gravel, or cyclocross this would fit just fine to get you ready for your first race. It is crit specific, so it is not perfect for other types of races, but will do just fine for a beginner looking to do a race that is approximately 30 minutes to an hour long.
If you are coming in with a higher level of fitness from another activity then you can extend some of rides (mostly the Endurance rides) to get a little bit more out of this training plan.
Compatible with both Zwift and TrainingPeaks Virtual.
NOTE: Racing of many types, but in particular crits require you to be comfortable riding in a pack and with lots of people around you. It is highly encouraged to do some group rides prior to your first race. Many areas will host practice crits as well. These do not require you to have great fitness as there is usually a novice race that is rather short and controlled for those getting used to riding in groups. Look on BikeReg.com and local shop and club sites for information.
Grady is a multi-disciplined rider and coach. He has been mountain biking since childhood, and picked up cyclocross, gravel, and road along the way (and in that order!). Grady prefers a goal oriented approach, with a training program building the foundation and working towards those goals. This includes periodizing training and using the individual workouts in each phase to build towards these goals. Power meters are not required, but encouraged.