LATE BASE · 12 WEEKS OUT

UNBOUND GRAVEL — 12 WEEKS OUT

Bridge phase. Volume still rules, but structure begins. Built around the 320km / 2,800m profile of the Unbound in USA.

320 km·2,800 m climbing·12-20 hours·June

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 UNBOUND ACTUALLY DEMANDS

Unbound Gravel is the world's biggest gravel event — 320km (200mi) across the Flint Hills of Kansas on rocky unpaved roads. Lottery entry, professional field mixed with amateurs, 100mi + 50mi options. Mud years and dust years both exist.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

✓320km (200mi) flagship + 100mi + 50mi options
✓Flint Hills rocks destroy tyres, wheels, and souls
✓Mud years (historic): bike-carrying, abandonments, DNFs at 50%
✓Kansas heat: 25-35°C with no shade
✓Self-navigated (GPS) after the first 20km

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Running tyres under 40mm — Unbound shreds light tyres
✕Trying to ride from a sportive background without ultra pacing
✕Underfueling because 'it's just bikes, not running' — 12-20 hours is ultra territory

PACING

Unbound is an ultra with a drop bag. Pace at 55-60% of your 4-hour FTP as a realistic all-day ceiling. The rocks force constant micro-adjustments; you don't hold steady power like on road. Drop bag at checkpoints 2 and 3 — strategise what's in each bag before the start.

FUELLING

80-100g carbs/hour for 12+ hours. Aid stations are official but crowded — own supply between them is faster. Heat means electrolytes dominate. Solid food at checkpoints, gels + bars between. Texan rule: if you're not peeing every 2 hours you're underfuelling.

KIT

Gravel bike with 42-45mm tyres, reinforced sidewalls (Panaracer GravelKing SK+, Challenge Gravine Race, Rene Herse Stampede Pass). Tubeless mandatory. 2-3 tyre plugs + CO2 + spare tube. Mudguards optional (but essential in mud years). Hydration pack optional but helps in heat.

WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?

COACHED FOR YOUR EVENT.

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FAQ

COMMON QUESTIONS AT 12 WEEKS OUT

Is 12 weeks enough to train for the Unbound Gravel?+

Yes, 12 weeks is a strong window. That's enough time for a full base phase, build, peak, and taper — the classical periodisation structure. 2,800m of climbing over 320km is built with sustained Z2 volume (base) + threshold work (build) in that order.

What's the hardest part of the Unbound Gravel?+

320km (200mi) flagship + 100mi + 50mi options. running tyres under 40mm — Unbound shreds light tyres — so pacing discipline is the single biggest lever most amateurs miss. Unbound is an ultra with a drop bag.

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

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 Unbound Gravel?+

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 Unbound Gravel runs. 7-day free trial, $195/mo.

What gearing should I run for the Unbound Gravel?+

OTHER PHASES FOR THE UNBOUND

Earlier phase ← 16 weeks out

BASE PHASE

Later phase → 8 weeks out

BUILD PHASE