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SPAIN · ULTRA

BADLANDS
TRAINING PLAN.

Badlands is one of the hardest self-supported ultras in the world — 800km across Andalusia and the Tabernas Desert (Europe's only true desert) with 16,000m of climbing. Mixed gravel/road, 40°C+ daytime heat, freezing desert nights. The race that made Lachlan Morton famous on the Roadman Podcast.

800 km·16,000 m climbing·60-120 hours·September

PICK YOUR WINDOW

HOW LONG TILL YOUR BADLANDS?

Count back from your event date. Pick the weeks-out plan that matches your window. Each one is a week-by-week framework built around the demands of this specific course.

EVENT INTEL

WHAT THE BADLANDS ACTUALLY DEMANDS

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

  • ✓Self-supported format — resupply only at open shops + fountains
  • ✓Tabernas Desert crossing: 40°C+ daytime, freezing at night
  • ✓16,000m climbing across 800km averages 20m/km — relentless
  • ✓Sleep strategy is part of the race (2-6 hours/day at best)
  • ✓Mix of road + gravel + rough dirt — tyre choice is a gamble

COMMON MISTAKES

  • ✗Underestimating the night desert cold — riders treat 'Spain in September' as warm, it isn't at 2am
  • ✗Treating it like a long sportive — Badlands breaks people who haven't done shorter ultras first
  • ✗Poor tyre pressure — either too light (punctures) or too firm (fatigue)

PACING

Don't race the start. Badlands has a 4-5 day finishing window for most riders and the leaderboard means almost nothing if you DNF at km 400. Sustainable pace — roughly 60% of your 8-hour FTP as an all-day ceiling. Sleep plan written in advance: where, how long, triggered by which km.

FUELLING

No aid stations. You carry or you resupply from shops. 80-100g carbs/hour on the bike minimum. Calories eaten at shops count. Salt + electrolytes critical in the desert crossing. Cafés and gas stations become your crew.

KIT

Ultra-endurance bikepacking setup: dynamo hub, frame bag, saddle bag, bar bag. 40-45mm gravel tyres with good sidewalls (Challenge Getaway, Pirelli Cinturato, Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite). Bivvy bag + emergency blanket for forced sleep stops.

FAQ

BADLANDS TRAINING, ANSWERED.

How long should I train for the Badlands?

For the Badlands (800km with 16,000m of climbing), most riders benefit from at least 12-16 weeks of structured preparation. If you've been riding consistently, 8 weeks of focused work can still be enough to transform your result. Pick the weeks-out plan that matches your window.

What's the typical finish time for the Badlands?

Most amateur finishers complete the Badlands in 60-120 hours. The spread is driven by climbing fitness more than flat speed — the course has 16,000m of vertical, and pacing the climbs is what separates a strong finish from a suffering one.

When does the Badlands take place?

The Badlands typically runs in September. That sets the training window: count back from your event date and pick the weeks-out plan that matches.

What's the biggest mistake riders make at the Badlands?

Underestimating the night desert cold — riders treat 'Spain in September' as warm, it isn't at 2am

How should I pace the Badlands?

Don't race the start. Badlands has a 4-5 day finishing window for most riders and the leaderboard means almost nothing if you DNF at km 400. Sustainable pace — roughly 60% of your 8-hour FTP as an all-day ceiling. Sleep plan written in advance: where, how long, triggered by which km.

WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?

READY FOR A PLAN MADE FOR YOU?

The framework above gets you in the right territory. Roadman coaching builds it around your FTP, your life, and your weeks remaining.

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