Training & Nutrition

We’ve partnered with British Cycling to provide you with training plans and other useful advice to make sure you’re in top shape before taking part in Vélo Birmingham & Midlands. Before you get started, we’d recommend reading the following: Riding 100 Miles.

Next up, it is time to choose the training plan which best suits you.

 

TRAINING PLANS

8 Week Sofa to 50Km Training Plan

This 8-week sofa to 50 km training plan is ideal for the complete cycling novice who is currently sedentary and is looking to start cycling for health, fitness, recreation, commuting or to tackle a challenge or charity ride.

12 Week Off Season Base Builder Training Plan

The 12-week British Cycling Off-Season Base Builder plan is ideal for intermediate and advanced riders who are looking to build base fitness. Click here for more information.

8 Week Pre-Season Training Plan

The 8-week British Cycling Pre-Season plan is ideal for intermediate and advanced riders and is designed to follow on from the 12-week British Cycling Off-Season Base Builder plan.

The Foundation Plan

The 12-week British Cycling foundation plan is ideal for intermediate and advanced riders who are looking to build winter base fitness. Whether your goals for next season are sportives, road races or time trials, this structured plan will help you to lay down the essential foundations for success in the spring.

Intermediate & Advanced Training Plan

If you’ve been following the foundation plan these plans are an ideal progression but they are also suitable for riders who, up until now, have been devising their own training.

6 Week Panic Training Plan

The British Cycling six week panic plan is ideal for already active non cyclists or cyclists who have recently neglected their training. In six weeks it will have you ready to tackle a 60-mile (100 km) sportive.

 

HIGH5 NUTRITION GUIDE

Getting your sports nutrition right will help you go faster, further and most importantly you’ll have more fun! To help you on race day we have teamed up with HIGH5 to provide you with sports nutrition on course. HIGH5 create nutritious products with amazing natural flavours, whether you’re a new starter or an elite professional, HIGH5 have got you covered.

At Vélo South you will be provided with a range of HIGH5 products to give you plenty of energy and keep you well hydrated:

  • HIGH5 energy gel
  • HIGH5 energy gel caffeine
  • HIGH5 energy drink
  • HIGH5 zero

We recommend incorporating these products into your training. That way you won’t be trying something new at the event, and you can focus on giving it your all. Discover the full HIGH5 range of trusted gels, drinks and bars: www.highfive.co.uk

Click on the button below to take a look at what the experts have to say about fuelling for 100 miles.

 

RIDESMART

Riding 100 miles on closed roads amongst 17,000 other cyclists is an amazing experience but it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepared. British Cycling have a useful series of short videos about riding in a sportive – to get a flavour of what to expect, check out the video below.

 

BRITISH CYCLING MEMBERSHIP

For peace of mind cycling cover for your training and beyond, become a British Cycling member for just £39 a year. ‘Ride’ members receive liability insurance and legal cover for riding sportives, commuting and training, plus access to a range of exclusive cycling benefits to help you get more from your cycling.