THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW
SHARPEN FOR THE DATE.
Four weeks out, you stop building and start sharpening. Volume drops 15-20%. Intensity gets very specific to your event. Long rides mimic race pacing. The goal is to arrive fresh, not fitter — if you're still building now, you peaked wrong.
THIS WEEK'S ANCHOR SESSION
EVENT SIMULATION
One 3-hour ride that mimics the first 3 hours of your target event. Same pace, same fueling, same kit. If your event has a big early climb, include one. Your legs learn what race pace feels like.
EVENT INTEL
WHAT THE BADLANDS ACTUALLY DEMANDS
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.
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.
WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?
COACHED FOR YOUR EVENT.
Not Done Yet is the coached five-pillar system built around your actual event date. Personalised TrainingPeaks plan, weekly calls, expert masterclasses. 7-day free trial.
$195/month · 7-day free trial · Cancel anytime
OTHER PHASES FOR THE BADLANDS