LATE BASE · 12 WEEKS OUT

RING OF BEARA CYCLE — 12 WEEKS OUT

Bridge phase. Volume still rules, but structure begins. Built around the 140km / 2,200m profile of the Ring of Beara in Ireland.

140 km·2,200 m climbing·5-8 hours·May

THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW

BUILD THE ENGINE.

Twelve weeks out, you're still building the base — but specific structure is starting to appear. Tempo work enters the picture one day a week. Long rides get longer. This is where the event-specific fitness starts to take shape without compromising your aerobic foundation.

THIS WEEK'S ANCHOR SESSION

TEMPO SANDWICH

2x20min at tempo (76-88% FTP) inside a 2-hour Z2 ride. Steady, controlled, not a time trial. This is your first taste of extended race-pace efforts.

THE WEEK

A TYPICAL WEEK, 12 WEEKS OUT

Monday

REST

Non-negotiable.

Tuesday

TEMPO SANDWICH (2H)

2x20min tempo inside steady Z2.

Wednesday

STRENGTH + 1H RECOVERY SPIN

Keep the gym work periodised.

Thursday

2H Z2 WITH 4X8MIN TEMPO

Progressive tempo work.

Friday

REST OR EASY 30MIN

Protect the weekend.

Saturday

4-5H LONG RIDE WITH EVENT-SPECIFIC TERRAIN

Mimic your target event's profile.

Sunday

2H Z2 RECOVERY RIDE

Active recovery, conversational pace.

DON'T DO THIS

Don't start threshold intervals yet. The build phase will come. If you jump intensity too early you'll peak 6 weeks before race day and arrive flat.

EVENT INTEL

WHAT THE RING OF BEARA ACTUALLY DEMANDS

Ring of Beara is the coastal Kerry sportive — 140km around the wildest peninsula in Ireland, with the Caha Mountains and Healy Pass as the defining climbs. Smaller field than Wicklow 200, steeper climbs.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

✓Healy Pass — the signature climb, 8% average, switchbacks
✓Exposed coastal sections with unpredictable crosswinds
✓140km is shorter than Wicklow but the terrain is punchier
✓Early May means the road is often wet
✓Small villages for feed zones — plan your stops carefully

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Treating Healy Pass like an easy climb because it's 'only' 9km
✕Packing like it's July when it's May on the Atlantic
✕Cranking the gearing too hard — long compact gearing saves the day

PACING

The first 80km are rolling with two controllable climbs. The Healy Pass at km 100 is the ride. If you arrive at the base feeling fresh you'll finish strong. If you're already ragged you'll crack on the steep section. Pace for Healy, not the flats.

FUELLING

Shorter than Wicklow but more climbing per km. 70-90g carbs/hour. Refill at Kenmare or Glengarriff depending on the route. The Healy Pass has no feed zone — come to it with a full bottle and a gel.

KIT

Gilet and armwarmers even in May. Compact crankset with 11-32 cassette. The descent off Healy is technical — check brake pads before you start.

WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?

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FAQ

COMMON QUESTIONS AT 12 WEEKS OUT

Is 12 weeks enough to train for the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

Yes, 12 weeks is a strong window. That's enough time for a full base phase, build, peak, and taper — the classical periodisation structure. 2,200m of climbing over 140km is built with sustained Z2 volume (base) + threshold work (build) in that order.

What's the hardest part of the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

Healy Pass — the signature climb, 8% average, switchbacks. treating Healy Pass like an easy climb because it's 'only' 9km — so pacing discipline is the single biggest lever most amateurs miss. The first 80km are rolling with two controllable climbs.

How many hours a week should I train at 12 weeks out from the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

Aim for 8-12 hours/week if you're targeting a strong finish. The long weekend ride is the anchor (3-4 hours at build intensities) plus 3-4 structured weekday sessions. Volume matters more than intensity at this phase.

Do I need a coach to train for the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

You don't need a coach to finish. You do need structure. If you're new to sportives, have a target finish time, have a plateau you can't break, or have a history of peaking wrong, a coached plan pays for itself. Inside Not Done Yet the plan is built backwards from your event date — base, build, peak, taper timed to the week the Ring of Beara Cycle runs. 7-day free trial, $195/mo.

What gearing should I run for the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

Gilet and armwarmers even in May. Compact crankset with 11-32 cassette. The descent off Healy is technical — check brake pads before you start.

OTHER PHASES FOR THE RING OF BEARA

Earlier phase ← 16 weeks out

BASE PHASE

Later phase → 8 weeks out

BUILD PHASE

Read the full Ring of Bearaguide →