Planning your 2027 season: how to choose goals and build the calendar

Late October is the ideal time to think about the coming year: the season is behind you or nearly, and there is time to choose calmly. Planning doesn't mean being rigid, it means giving direction to the months ahead.

Review the year

Before looking ahead, look back: what worked, what didn't, where you had injuries or motivation dips. Note races, best rides, results and feelings. It is the basis for the next decisions.

Choose one or two main goals

More than two big goals a season are hard to prepare well. Pick one gran fondo, half marathon or marathon and build around it. Other events will be preparation or just for fun. For first steps read the guide to your first gran fondo.

Split the season

A simple model: a winter base phase with growing volume and strength work, a spring specific phase with race pace and climbs, a race phase in summer and autumn, then active rest. Each block has a goal, and one week in four is an easier week.

Put rest on the calendar too

Include real breaks after your main goals. Without rest improvements stall and injuries rise. Also plan holidays and work commitments to avoid surprises.

Find motivation

Sharing goals helps keep them. On Velunite you can organise rides and workouts with others and find partners for races. For the cold months read the guide to winter trainer riding.

An example year

Suppose a half marathon in spring and a gran fondo in September. From November to January build the base with easy outings and some strength work, in February and March add race-specific paces for the half, after the race allow two weeks of recovery and start preparing for the gran fondo. It is only a sketch: adapt it to your life.

Check in every month

Once a month reread the plan: are you doing what you intended? If work or injuries change things, move the goals instead of forcing it. Also note race registration dates, often open long in advance: the Velunite 2027 calendar can help you avoid missing them.

What might help

A sports training diary and a GPS bike computer to record progress.

A well-planned year starts from a simple question: what do I really want to do?