depends what you train for and you fitness level when starting off.... stage racing you will nee alot of base miles and working it up progressively. single day events the base miles could be covered in around 4 weeks with another 3-4 for intensity and speed work. (this is for longer events 3-4 hours) if I train for a single event with my expected completion time around 3.5-4hours then your base miles should work progressively up to 4 hours... depending on my body condition when starting i will take every 3rd/4th day a rest day and then up the time ie. (2.5hrs, 2.5hrs, rest) - (3hrs,3hrs,rest) - (3.5hrs,3.5hrs,rest) - rest day - (3hrs, 3hrs, rest) - (3.5hrs,3.5hrs,rest) - (4hrs,4hrs,rest) - rest day after 4/5 weeks of this boring crap you move to power/intensity : this is race specific, little use in training 30min steady climbing all the time if the biggest climb is 300m - this is where you teach your body to take the kind of abuse you expect in the race no substitute for a sport scientist - they know what signs to look for when your body react/complain
