Recommended Training Plan for Hill Riding

Training
1

Will be doing a 6 week cycling tour in the Italian Dolomite region in June/July 2024 and would like to get recommendations on the most suitable training plans.
I’m 56 yrs old and being doing multiple Trainer Road programs for various 1 day events, but not multiple day rides in the mountains.
Plenty of back to back days and ascending.
Any recommendations and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

2

Exciting! The Dolomites are my favorite place in the world to ride, and I’ll be there again in September but sadly just for 9 days. A 6-week trip sounds heavenly (big wistful sigh).

My best guess at a training plan was the Gran Fondo plan, to concentrate on long sustained power. My experience in the Dolomites is that most of the climbs are steep enough that if I go into the red, I can’t recover because it’s not physically possible for me to continue forward progress at what my recovery power would be. But if I can mostly stay in a high Endurance to Sweet Spot range, I can ride all day - and more importantly, I can ride the next day and the day after, etc. As I understand it, the Gran Fondo plan is the one that focuses most on sustained power and least on sprint-y/surge-y power.

For stronger cyclists, my limitation wouldn’t apply (i.e., you could have all sorts of attacking fun and still be able to recover), so take that for what it’s worth.

I’m interested to hear other people’s suggestions.

3

KHG,

Thanks for that.
I was thinking that the Gran Fondo plan would be best for daily repeats of various hill climbs.
I’ve done the Gran Fondo plan in the past for a 1 day hill climbing event which I found to be beneficial.
The key is to be consistent and ensure enough recovery/adaptation to gain the benefits of the program.
Thanks once again.

4

There is also merit in just doing base 1 to 3 on low volume. Reason being only 3 days a week which allows for a little outside riding too. Most important that whatever the plan you choose, you can stick to it every week.

I still believe in that 3rd rest week being followed by a ramp test.

Hope this helps.

5

I have the perfect plan, but I’ll only reveal it if you take me with you on your trip.

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6

LoL

7

Thanks Ferellie
That would be an option as it leaves time for outdoor rides which are good to do.
I agree that consistency will be the key to improve muscle endurance and strength.
Thanks

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