Got a time trial in the calendar this summer? Whether you’re targeting your first 10-mile TT or stepping up to the 25, the good news is this: you don’t need months and months of training to see a real improvement.
With around 8 weeks to go before our Pronto Bikes Castle Combe Series 10 and 25 mile Time Trial Event, there’s still plenty of time to build speed, improve your pacing and arrive on the start line feeling confident and ready.
This guide will show you how.
Why 10 & 25 Mile Time Trials Feel So Different
Time trials are often called the “race of truth”. It's just you, your bike and the clock. But the 10 and 25 mile distances each bring their own challenge. A 10-mile TT is actually quite short (though it doesn't feel it 3 miles in!) and intense. It’s about holding a very hard effort for around 20–30 minutes, where pacing is everything and going out too hard can cost you later.
The 25-mile distance requires more control - you’re riding closer to your threshold for longer, which means endurance, focus and staying aero become just as important as raw power.
In both cases, success comes down to one thing: how well you can sustain a strong, steady effort.
What You Should Focus On
You don’t need a complicated plan, just a focus on the things that matter most:
- Sustained power – your ability to hold a hard effort without fading
- Pacing – resisting the urge to go too hard, too early
- Aerodynamics – holding a consistent, efficient position
- Consistency – showing up for key sessions each week
Get these right, and you’ll see real gains in a short space of time.
Your 8-Week Training Plan
This isn’t about training every day or doing huge mileage. It’s about being focused with the time you have. Think of the next 8 weeks in three simple phases.
Weeks 1–3: Build Your Engine
The goal here is to get comfortable riding at a steady, moderately hard effort.
You should finish sessions feeling worked, but not exhausted.
Focus on:
- Longer, steady rides
- “Sweet spot” efforts (comfortably hard, but sustainable)
- Building consistency week to week
Example session:
- 2 × 12 minutes at a steady, controlled effort
- 5 minutes easy between efforts
Weeks 4–6: Get Race Specific
Now you start to dial things in.
This is where you’ll spend more time riding at your actual time trial effort and learning what it feels like (and how to control it).
Focus on:
- Threshold intervals
- Holding a consistent pace
- Practising your riding position
Example sessions:
- 3 × 10 minutes at threshold effort
- 2 × 15 minutes at steady TT pace
If you can, start doing some of these efforts on similar roads or terrain to your target event.
Weeks 7–8: Sharpen and Freshen Up
By now, the hard work is done.
The goal is to stay sharp without building fatigue, so you arrive on the start line feeling fresh and ready.
Focus on:
- Shorter, slightly harder efforts
- Reducing overall training volume
- Keeping legs feeling responsive
Example session:
- 4 × 5 minutes at a strong effort
- Plenty of recovery between efforts
Less is more here. Resist the urge to cram in extra training.
Key Sessions to Include Each Week
You don’t need a complicated schedule, but most weeks should include:
- One structured interval session
- One longer steady ride
- One shorter, easier recovery ride
If you’re short on time, prioritise the interval session as that’s where the biggest gains come from.
Pacing: The Skill That Makes the Biggest Difference
Fitness helps, but pacing is what really determines your result.
The biggest mistake riders make? Going out too hard.
It feels great for the first few minutes… and then the fade begins.
Instead:
- Start slightly below your target effort
- Build into the ride over the first 5–10 minutes
- Aim to finish as strong (or stronger) than you started
If you get this right, you’ll pass people in the second half.
Free Speed: The Easy Wins
Before you even think about getting fitter, there are a few simple ways to get faster without extra training.
- Hold a consistent aero position
- Keep your head still and low
- Ride smoothly
- Check your setup
Small changes here can save you more time than an extra training session.
Ready to Test Yourself?
With 8 weeks to go, you’ve got plenty of time to make real progress.
Whether you’re aiming to complete your first TT or chase a new PB, having a target event makes all the difference and gives your training purpose. The Pronto Bikes Castle Combe TT Series is the perfect opportunity to put this into practice, with both 10-mile and 25-mile distances to choose from in July, plus another 10-miler in September if you want a second shot.
