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Volcanic climbing at altitude
L'Etape Costa Rica climbs from Cartago toward the Irazú Volcano on paved mountain roads, gaining altitude through cloud forest before a canyon descent. Surfaces are smooth pavement at increasing elevation; the demand is sustained climbing power and the ability to hold output as the air thins near the summit.
For the rider with only six weeks left and five to nine hours a week, this rescue plan keeps the work most likely to matter on the Irazú Volcano climb: sustained climbing power for the Irazú Volcano ascent and the altitude near the summit, recovery, and pacing. It makes purposeful use of current fitness without claiming to replace lost months.
INSIDE THE SAVE MY RACE PLAN — 5–9 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat-training protocols for racing in the hot stuff, peloton skills workouts, and nutrition and hydration guidance.
The Complete L'Etape Costa Rica by Tour de France Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
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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