The simple 12-week arc
- Weeks 1–3: three rides per week, longest ride 8–12 miles.
- Weeks 4–6: three rides per week, longest ride 15–18 miles.
- Weeks 7–9: three rides per week, longest ride 20–25 miles.
- Weeks 10–12: two rides + one long ride, longest ride 28–32 miles.
Consistency beats intensity. Three easy rides a week produces more fitness than one hard ride and two skipped ones.
What "long ride" pace should feel like
Conversational. If you can't hold a conversation, you're going too hard. Almost all of your training should feel comfortable — that's how endurance actually builds.
Why a cohort helps
The More Than Miles™ 12-week pilot cohort matches this exact progression, with a coach on every ride. It solves the two things that derail solo beginners: skipped rides and going too hard on the wrong days.