Training Plans

Sportives are among the most exciting and satisfying events on two wheels. They’re also extremely demanding. Get it right and your day will go like a dream; you’ll enjoy fantastic riding, good company and the satisfaction of a job well done. Get it wrong and there’s a whole world of pain coming your way. The difference between the two is in the preparation. As the wise old man says, “Proper planning prevents poor performance.”

Whether you’re a first timer just aiming to get round the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 or a sportive veteran looking to take your performance to the next level, you’ll benefit from a structured training programme, and that’s what you’ll find here.

We’ve put together two different training plans, each aimed at a different goal:

• Beginner’s training plan
If you’re an inexperienced sportive rider, this plan will get you comfortably around a sportive of up to 80 miles. In July this year, we’ll publish a final four-week plan to make sure you’re in perfect shape for Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. Click below to download the plan.

Beginner's training plan

• Improver’s training plan
Choose this one to prepare for Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 if you already have a few sportive T-shirts in the drawer or you’re a strong, experienced cyclist. You can start the Improver’s schedule on Monday 12 May if you’re planning to complete the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. Click below to download the plan.

Improver's training plan

In practice, you may not fit perfectly into one of these categories. These programmes are guides, they’re not set in stone. If you can’t ride in the morning as we suggest from time to time, or you can’t hit the hills when we advise it, swap things around – that’s real life.

Give yourself a headstart with these the key sportive training rules