This 8-week plan advances your climbing with longer efforts, tighter recoveries, and sustained sweet spot work. You’ll develop strength endurance, pacing discipline, and durability for longer, steeper climbs. You’ll train 3 times per week with hill repeats, sustained tempo/sweet spot climbs, and extended endurance rides.

Key Focus Areas:

Technique refinement (seated/standing rhythm, pacing over crests)

Strength endurance at low cadence (60–70 rpm)

Sustained sweet spot climbing blocks (85–95% FTP)

Longer hill intervals with reduced recovery

Extended Z2 endurance rides on rolling terrain

That combination makes it best suited for the late base to early build phase, when the goals are:

Convert technique into longer sustained power

Deepen the aerobic and muscular endurance you built in beginner

Improve pacing control on 6–10 minute climbs

Prepare the body for upcoming race-specific sharpening

When to Use It:

Late Base → Early Build: Ideal after completing the Beginner block; bridges you toward race-prep intensity.

By the end of the 8 weeks, you’ll be ready for threshold over-unders, race-pace simulations, and group-ride intensity.

Perfect for:
✅ Riders who completed the Beginner Climbing Focus
✅ Athletes targeting hilly sportives, fondos, or road races
✅ Cyclists ready to progress from confidence → capacity and specificity

Recommended Add-Ons:
✅ Gym Strength: Squats, lunges, deadlifts (2×/week) to support power gains
✅ Core Stability: Anti-rotation and hip stability for posture on long climbs
✅ Optional Group Ride: Adds real-world surges and positioning practice