Many riders, especially those following the Beginners Training Plan, worry that they don't cover their target event distance of 100 km of more in training. Be reassured, the plan is tried and tested and will get you through your big day.

How far will I ride?

If you are following the , your longest planned ride will be 80 km (50 miles) in Week 23. This obviously leaves you about 20 km (10 miles) short of your final goal but, from a physiological perspective, as long as you have followed the plan, this isn’t significant. In fact, as long as you fuel, hydrate and pace well, your training would allow you to ride far beyond 100 km.

Double weekend rides

Two long rides at the weekend are consistent throughout the . This isn’t us being cruel, it is a great way to build endurance. At the peak of the plan, you will be logging up to six hours in the saddle at the weekend, probably more than the time your target event will take. It is not quite the same as doing the ride in one hit but many of the physiological adaptations these two rides will produce will be the same as if you had done it in one ride. You will still have the first ride in your legs when you roll off on the Sunday, making that ride a bit tougher. However two bite sized rides are far less intimidating than one big one, they don't take up the whole day and, if you are training through the winter, you will be able to get them done in daylight.

Consistent training through the week

Another reason for not scheduling a single huge weekend ride, is the impact it will have on your following week’s training. The recovery that it will require will reduce the effectiveness or even prevent you from training during the first half of the next week. This will put you into a cycle of “binge training”, where your training during the week is sporadic followed by an epic weekend ride. Consistent quality training, as scheduled by our training plan, is far more effective. 

Mind-games

There is an argument that, if you complete your target distance in training, this will give you confidence for your event. However, if this trial event goes badly and you fail to complete the distance, this could be down to a tough headwind or other factors out of your control, you could really struggle to psych yourself up again. A ride that is under the distance but near enough to prove that the full distance is achievable is a far wiser choice.

Tapered legs

Even with the regular recovery weeks, as you work through the plan, along with building fitness, you will also be accumulating fatigue. The taper in the plan towards your event, removes this fatigue and will give your legs a well needed boost. This should give you even more confidence to tackle that final 20 km.

Event day boost

Although you can’t expect event day miracles if you haven’t done the training, you can expect a bit of a psychological boost that is worth a few kilometres at least. More tangible, if you have been training on your own, riding in a group can save a significant amount of energy. Typically, if you are following another rider, you will be looking to exert 30% less energy than if you were riding on your own. For this reason it’s definitely worth getting in some group riding practice before your event.