A granfondo (long-distance race) is an organized ride for cycling tourists with mass start and timekeeping. In the open air, through nature and usually through the mountains or hills. In the early morning, thousands of cyclists are nervously waiting for the start. One to get a good ranking, the other to reach a certain time and many just want to finish it. Everyone sets their own goal and that makes it so cool. (cycloworld.cc)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cyclosportive.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GF01.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A race, not for me<\/h6>\n
I often hear around me that people are a bit anxious about participating in a Granfondo. Frequently heard comment: it's a competition, that's not for me. Let me help you out of your dream. Yes, a Granfondo is a timed ride and a man and a woman are honored as the winner. There are often thousands of people at the start, but only a very small portion of the participants actually participate for the main prizes. The rest goes for a good performance and often the goal is to finish.<\/p>\n
Why do you cycle? Is this for fun, for your health, for fame? Everything is possible, and one does not have to exclude the other. In order to provide you with good tips, I divide the cyclists into two groups for convenience. 1 the racer and 2 the rider.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cyclosportive.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GF02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Riding out a Granfondo<\/h6>\n
If you want to prepare your body for a Granfondo, the body will have to get used to cycling a long distance. By making more and more kilometers, the body gets used to sitting on the saddle for a long time. You train the body to perform physical exertion for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n
With two or three rides a week you can go a long way. A quiet ride during the week of 60 minutes in the beginning and 90 minutes later is a great starting point. A longer ride can then be planned on the weekend. In the beginning it could be a 90 minute drive. Gradually expand this to rides of 240 minutes.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cyclosportive.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GF04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Training intensity<\/h6>\n
The training scope has been determined. It is also important to think about exercise intensity. If you really want to be well prepared, plan an exercise test and have your training zones determined. Good training is very important to make progress. The following schedule can be a good guideline to make your Granfondo a success.<\/p>\n
- \n
- 1x weekday ride on 85% from the turning point<\/li>\n
- this ride can be divided into blocks of 15-20 minutes with 3 minutes of rest<\/li>\n
- 1x ride during the weekend on 75% from the turning point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If your body responds well to this effort, you can cycle a 15-minute block at 85% from the turning point at the end of a long ride (weekend) or you can replace this block by cycling 2\u00d75 minutes in D3.<\/p>\n
I think everyone will understand that you cannot prepare yourself for a Granfondo in three weeks. A minimum of three months of preparation is necessary.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
<\/p>\nRacing at a Granfondo<\/h6>\n
To really be able to race at a Granfondo, the training volume will have to increase considerably. This can be done by slightly adjusting the schedule mentioned above.<\/p>\n
- \n
- 2x weekday ride on 85% from the turning point<\/li>\n
- this ride can be divided into blocks of 15-20 minutes with 3 minutes of rest<\/li>\n
- 1x ride during the weekend on 75% from the turning point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you really want to go for a top ranking, the chart below can serve as a guideline. The training volume increases even more and the intensity becomes lower. You do 3 or 4 workouts in a week. In the months before the Granfondo you can plan short competitions. Think of a criterium or time trial nearby. This competition will then replace the short ride during the week.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cyclosportive.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/GF05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n