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PEAK PHASE · 4 WEEKS OUT

TRANS PYRENEES — 4 WEEKS OUT

Event-specific sharpening. Volume drops, quality rises. 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

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 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?

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 YetHow 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 Trans Pyrenees?+

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 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 4 weeks out from the Trans Pyrenees?+

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 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?+

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.

OTHER PHASES FOR THE TRANS PYRENEES

Earlier phase ← 8 weeks out

BUILD PHASE

Later phase → 2 weeks out

TAPER