GLC was referring to my post about the group I am coaching for the Death Ride (130 miles, 14,000 feet) - where we're building their distance and climbing, and I have been doing some alternating of what we're pushing week to week - and also giving them some true periodization in there as well. They seem to be doing great with it, and I think they'll do well at their event.

So a typical (mid-season) progression for them would be:

50 miles, 4000 feet
65 miles, 5000 feet
75 miles, 6500 feet
50 miles, 4000 feet
80 miles, 6500 feet
125 miles, 7000 feet
90 miles, 8700 feet
50 miles, 4000 feet

Alternating the (relatively) short rides with a lot of climbing, like our last ride - 90 miles with 8700 feet - with long rides with less climbing kind of edges them up for both the distance and the climbing components wihtout overworking them. In the next month, they'll have two 100 - 120 milers with 10 - 12,000 feet, alternating with easier rides, including a century with about 6000 feet and some riding passes at altitude.

What's great is seeing how the rides they used to think were super hard are now easy. That's the point!