PEAK PHASE · 4 WEEKS OUT

RING OF BEARA CYCLE — 4 WEEKS OUT

Event-specific sharpening. Volume drops, quality rises. 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

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.

THE WEEK

A TYPICAL WEEK, 4 WEEKS OUT

Monday

REST

Protect recovery aggressively now.

Tuesday

THRESHOLD (3X10MIN)

Shorter, sharper threshold reps.

Wednesday

60MIN Z2

Just keeping the legs open.

Thursday

RACE-PACE INTERVALS (5X5MIN)

At your target sportive pace.

Friday

REST

Full rest — no bike.

Saturday

3H EVENT SIMULATION

Dial in pacing + fueling + kit.

Sunday

90MIN Z2

Easy, social.

DON'T DO THIS

The peak phase is when amateurs panic-train. Resist. Extra volume here creates fatigue that sits in your legs on race day. Trust the base.

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?

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.

Apply for Not Done Yet How Coaching Works

$195/month · 7-day free trial · Cancel anytime

FAQ

COMMON QUESTIONS AT 4 WEEKS OUT

Is 4 weeks enough to train for the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

Yes, if you already have a reasonable aerobic base. 4 weeks out means peak and taper — we can sharpen and refine, but we can't build new aerobic fitness from scratch. If you're starting from zero now, aim for finishing rather than personal bests.

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 4 weeks out from the Ring of Beara Cycle?+

Reduce to 8-10 hours with rising intensity quality. This is the peak phase — fewer, sharper sessions. Long weekend ride stays but drops slightly (3-4 hours with event-specific work). Weekday sessions are shorter and more intense.

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 ← 8 weeks out

BUILD PHASE

Later phase → 2 weeks out

TAPER

Read the full Ring of Bearaguide →