Unpredictable power changes — no pattern, no rhythm, pure gravel race simulation.
Race-pace efforts that mimic Vuelta Altas Cumbres' demands. Pacing, fueling, and tactical decisions under fatigue. Practice the race before March.
STRUCTURE
10min warm-up → 20min chaos block: random 30sec–3min efforts @ 85–130% FTP → 5min recovery → repeat → cool-down
EXECUTION
There is no pattern. That’s the point. Power jumps randomly between zones — like a gravel race where terrain, wind, and competitors dictate your effort. Don’t anticipate. React. Recover when you can. Suffer when you must. This workout teaches metabolic flexibility.
POWER
Range: 85–130% FTP | No two minutes at the same power
CADENCE
Variable — match the effort. 80rpm on tempo, 100rpm on VO2, 120rpm on sprints.
POSITION
Change constantly. That’s the chaos.
RPE
Varies wildly: 4–10 within a single block
RACE-SPECIFIC: VUELTA ALTAS CUMBRES
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Vuelta Altas Cumbres’s 75 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Vuelta Altas Cumbres with 6,330ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. High altitude.
TERRAIN Highly technical terrain at Vuelta Altas Cumbres demands practice on similar surfaces. Ride sierras de córdoba mountain gravel (not the andes -- a separate, older range in central argentina) at race-day cadence weekly. Expect: sierras de córdoba (sierras grandes/traslasierra) mountain gravel, south american gravel, pampa de achala high plateau. Practice cornering, descending, and power delivery on unstable surfaces. Dial in tire pressure before race week — 5 PSI wrong costs you 15+ minutes over 75 miles.
