Ready to build a strong foundation for your next big event? Our highly-rated Base Plan on Training Peaks is designed to help you gradually accumulate the general fitness needed for off road cycling disciplines like gravel, cyclocross, and mountain biking. When you’re 3+ months out from your main event and looking to boost your endurance and general fitness, this plan is your go-to guide.

Who Is This Plan For?

This plan is perfect for off-road cyclists—gravel grinders, cyclocross racers, and mountain bikers—looking to develop their fitness, strength, and skills. It’s designed for athletes who incorporate indoor cycling, strength training, and cross-training into their routine. Whether you’re training mostly indoors or prefer outdoor rides, this plan adapts to your needs.

What’s Included?

• Structured Workouts: Tailored bike workouts by Power/%FTP with downloadable options for Garmin, Zwift, and other platforms. Not all workouts require downloads, giving you the flexibility to ride freely while still hitting your training goals. Heart Rate and RPE are noted for most workout as well.
• Strength & Mobility: Strength training routines are provided in easy-to-follow PDFs, ensuring you build the muscular endurance needed for your discipline.
• Flexible Volume: Weekly training ranges from 4 to 11 hours, with guidance to extend or shorten as needed.
• Cross-Training Encouraged: As part of the general preparation phase, this plan encourages cross-training, allowing you to build a well-rounded fitness base.

Start your journey to peak fitness with this comprehensive base training plan and arrive at your specific preparation period strong, healthy, and ready to tackle your off-road cycling goals.

Is This Plan Right for You?

• Versatile Duration: Adaptable for start dates in Jan, Feb and March, allowing flexibility based on your schedule, fitness level, and race goals.
• For All Levels: Perfect for cyclists who would enter such a challenging event! We have had riders with limited ultra experience use this plan and also successful masters / age-group riders placing on their age-group podiums! Whether you’re new to ultra-distance gravel races or a seasoned rider, this plan provides the structure to help you succeed.
• Flexible Metrics: Train using heart rate, power, or RPE. Structured workout downloads are included but not required, giving you the freedom to focus on riding.

Plan Highlights

• Structured Workouts: Features downloadable workouts compatible with Garmin, Zwift, and other platforms. Some sessions are unstructured to promote a focus on riding rather than devices.
• Indoor and Outdoor Flexibility: Initial months include indoor-focused workouts, but all sessions can be done outside to match your training environment preferences.
• Holistic Approach: Includes a core routine and 1-2 weekly yoga/walking sessions to support overall fitness and recovery. Cross-training is often an option given the early timing of this plan and its start in January/February.
• Adaptable Training Volume: Training ranges from 6 to 16 hours per week, with options to adjust based on your personal schedule, goals and fitness.

Get ready for your best Paris to Ancaster race with this comprehensive 12-week training plan, starting in late January—exactly 12 weeks before the event. This plan is perfect for intermediate cyclists looking to sharpen their fitness and race-day readiness. The first week focuses on getting acquainted with structured training and completing a few baseline efforts.

At Consummate Athlete, preparation is key, so this plan includes reminders for essential preparations, bike setup tips, and event-specific workouts. With a mix of power, heart rate, and RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) guidance, you’ll have the flexibility to train effectively using your preferred metrics.

Is This Plan Right for You?

• Targeted for Paris to Ancaster: Specifically designed for riders gearing up for the Paris to Ancaster event, some indoor riding is expected in the 3 months prior.
• Intermediate Riders: Suitable for those who have trained and raced before. You do not need to be a pro to benefit from this plan!
• Time-Conscious Training: Ideal for busy individuals with 5-8 hours of training time per week, with options to extend or shorten workouts as needed.
• Event-Specific: The plan is tailored to culminate on the Paris to Ancaster weekend, so it cannot be shifted to accommodate other events.

Plan Highlights

• Structured Workouts: Includes downloadable workouts for platforms like Garmin and Zwift, with a focus on both indoor and outdoor training. Some workouts are intentionally unstructured to encourage freedom from devices and focus.
• Holistic Fitness: Incorporates Cross-training,  a core routine and yoga sessions to keep you balanced and strong throughout the training period.
• Flexible Training Metrics: Train by heart rate, power, or RPE—whichever suits your style. Each workout is clearly described to ensure you hit the key elements, no matter the metric used.
• Adaptable Weekly Volume: The plan ranges from 6-10 hours of training per week, with the flexibility to adjust based on your schedule, fitness level, and goals.