The Great Gravel Down takes place on Mar 27 – 29, 2027 in Zwolle, Netherlands. The main route is 375 km.
- Date
- Mar 27 – 29, 2027
- Start
- Zwolle 🇳🇱
- Distance
- 375 km
- Climbing
- 2,000 m
- Level
- Open to all
Your 25-week plan to The Great Gravel Down
The Base phase starts this week. Built around your fitness and adjusted every day as your form changes; attach the course and it prepares for the climbs too.
Build my planFree to start · No credit card
The Great Gravel Down is a three-day multi-stage gravel ride across the Netherlands, starting in Zwolle and covering around 375 km split over three days.
What this race demands
The Great Gravel Down demands sustained multi-day endurance across a 375-kilometer gravel route completed in stages over three days in early spring.
Multi-day recovery
Because the event spans three consecutive stages totaling 375 kilometers, athletes must manage physical fatigue and refuel effectively each evening to perform day after day.
Sustained endurance
Covering long gravel distances requires pacing discipline over many hours in the saddle while managing early spring weather conditions in the Netherlands.
Aim for 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour during each daily stage to maintain energy output over the long duration.
What would it take you?
Pick the level closest to yours for an estimate of finish time on this course and the training a solid preparation needs.
Estimated finish
13:15–16:00
Peak-week training
6–8 h/week
A model estimate from distance, climbing and level, not a promise. Conditions, drafting and pacing move it.
IntervalCoach turns those weekly hours into a concrete plan built around your actual fitness. Start with this race as your goal
Your road to race day
Race day at The Great Gravel Down is 25 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Base13 weeks · Oct 4, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Aerobic foundation: mostly steady endurance work that grows the aerobic engine and the durability the later phases stand on.
02Build6 weeks · Jan 3, 2027 – Feb 13, 2027
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
03Peak3 weeks · Feb 14, 2027 – Mar 6, 2027
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
04Taper2 weeks · Mar 7, 2027 – Mar 20, 2027
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
05Race week1 week · Mar 21, 2027 – Mar 27, 2027
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
Frequently asked questions
When is The Great Gravel Down?
The Great Gravel Down takes place on Mar 27 – 29, 2027 in Zwolle, Netherlands.
How long is The Great Gravel Down?
The main route is 375 km.
What does The Great Gravel Down demand?
The Great Gravel Down demands sustained multi-day endurance across a 375-kilometer gravel route completed in stages over three days in early spring.
How much climbing does The Great Gravel Down have?
The Great Gravel Down has 2,000 m of climbing.
Who is The Great Gravel Down for?
The Great Gravel Down is open to all participants.
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