LATE BASE · 12 WEEKS OUT

TRANS PYRENEES — 12 WEEKS OUT

Bridge phase. Volume still rules, but structure begins. Built around the 1500km / 35,000m profile of the Trans Pyrenees in France / Spain.

1500 km·35,000 m climbing·6-9 days·October

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 TRANS PYRENEES ACTUALLY DEMANDS

Trans Pyrenees is one of the hardest self-supported ultras in Europe — 1,500km from Biarritz to Barcelona (or reverse) across every major pass in the Pyrenees, with 35,000m of climbing. 6-9 day finishes. October weather unpredictable.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

✓35,000m climbing — that's 4× Everest across the event
✓Every HC and Cat 1 Pyrenean pass featured — Tourmalet, Aubisque, Aspin, Peyresourde, Porto
✓October weather: snow on passes, freezing rain, wind
✓Self-supported — you carry, you sleep where you can
✓Mandatory tracker, daily check-in times

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Treating it like Badlands (Mediterranean) — the Pyrenees are colder, wetter, mountainous
✕Underspecing kit — October above 1,800m needs winter gear
✕Sleep deprivation affecting descending safety on day 4+

PACING

Trans Pyrenees is a climbing-dominated ultra. Pace on the climbs — not the flats. Target sub-threshold on every pass, regardless of time pressure. Sleep 5-7 hours/day for sustainable progress. Check weather nightly and pick tomorrow's start time accordingly.

FUELLING

No aid stations. Resupply at open shops, cafés, petrol stations. 80-100g carbs/hour on the bike, with real food stops at cafés every 4-5 hours. Hot drinks at altitude pass points matter more than people expect. Carry extra gels for nighttime emergencies.

KIT

Full bikepacking kit. Dynamo hub for lights + devices. 32-35mm tyres with reinforcement. Waterproof jacket, waterproof gloves, waterproof socks. Bivvy + sleeping bag rated to 0°C. Emergency mylar blanket. Spare battery pack.

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 Trans Pyrenees?+

Yes, 12 weeks is a strong window. That's enough time for a full base phase, build, peak, and taper — the classical periodisation structure. 35,000m of climbing over 1500km is built with sustained Z2 volume (base) + threshold work (build) in that order.

What's the hardest part of the Trans Pyrenees?+

35,000m climbing — that's 4× Everest across the event. treating it like Badlands (Mediterranean) — the Pyrenees are colder, wetter, mountainous — so pacing discipline is the single biggest lever most amateurs miss. Trans Pyrenees is a climbing-dominated ultra.

How many hours a week should I train at 12 weeks out from the Trans Pyrenees?+

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 Trans Pyrenees?+

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 Trans Pyrenees runs. 7-day free trial, $195/mo.

What gearing should I run for the Trans Pyrenees?+

OTHER PHASES FOR THE TRANS PYRENEES

Earlier phase ← 16 weeks out

BASE PHASE

Later phase → 8 weeks out

BUILD PHASE