coaching / Accelerate
40 Cyclists. 9 months. One extraordinary goal - The Grossglockner
A progressive nine-month training programme designed to turn the fitness you have today into the strength, stamina and confidence you’ll need to take on the Austrian Alps.
Since 2012 | 3,000+ cyclists | 100+ five-star reviews |experts at coaching cyclists over 40
THIS IS WHAT YOU'LL BE TRAINING FOR
The Grossglockner. Austria.
In July 2027, the Njinga team will head to the Austrian Alps for four unforgettable days on the bike.
At the heart of the challenge will be the legendary Grossglockner, 48kms of high alpine road winding through the Hohe Tauern National Park beneath Austria's highest mountain.
Hairpins, huge mountain views and long climbs. It's beautiful. It's demanding.
And after nine months of training together, you'll be ready to take it on.
This isn't simply a cycling trip. It's the goal that gives the next nine months a purpose.
We start together. We train together. We finish together.
Starting October 26th, 40 cyclists begin one nine-month journey towards the same extraordinary goal.
You'll be guided by Head Performance Coach Togo Keynes through a progressive programme designed specifically to build fitness, strength and performance after 40.
Then, in July, the team comes together in person as we head to Austria.
Nine months of work. Four days in the Alps. One finish you'll remember for a very long time.
LIMITED TO 40 RIDERS ONLY.
Featured in Cycling Weekly, Rouleur & Cycling Plus
Why we are doing this.
When we asked our community of cyclists what they wanted from the next nine months, the answers weren't simply “more training”.
They wanted consistency.
To see regular, measurable progress.
To become stronger and more confident on climbs.
To lose weight and improve their power-to-weight.
To have the accountability of a team.
And ultimately, to take on something extraordinary with the people they'd trained alongside.
That's what we've built Accelerate 2027 around:
Nine months of structured training. One team. One extraordinary goal worth working towards.
You don't need to be ready.
You need to be willing to train to get ready.
You'll start with a full baseline assessment to establish where you are and regularly track your progress towards Austria. From there, we'll progressively build your fitness, strength, power and confidence, helping you ride further, climb stronger and take on rides that once felt out of reach.
You don't need to be the fastest or fittest rider in the group.
You don't need more hours. You need the right training in the hours you have.
With as little as three focused hours a week, we'll show you how far a season of smart, structured training can take you.
Wherever you're starting from, we'll help you choose the challenge level that's right for you and build towards it over the next nine months.
One Team. Choose Your Challenge.
Nine months from now, not everyone will want the same challenge. So we've created three ways to experience Austria, each ambitious, each achievable with the right training.
THE CLASSIC 01
300km | ~4150m climbing | 4 days
For riders wanting a serious but achievable mountain challenge.
THE GRAND 02
350 km | ~5,200m climbing | 4 days
For riders ready to push beyond their comfort zone.
THE EPIC 03
415 km | ~8000m climbing | 4 days
For experienced riders who want the ultimate Njinga challenge.
Nine months. One carefully planned progression.
Ride longer → Get stronger → Build lasting power → Conquer bigger climbs → Arrive ready for the Alps
Endurance + Efficiency
26 October 2026
focus
Aerobic endurance, pedal efficiency + sub threshold durability
Goal
Build consistency and efficiency, so you can sustain stronger cycling for longer with less fatigue.
Base + Breathwork
14 december 2026
focus
Zone 2 aerobic conditioning and breathing efficiency
Goal
Consolidate your aerobic base, improve breathing control and build low intensity volume through the busy Christmas period.
FTP Build + Climbing Foundations
18 January 2027
focus
Sweetspot, threshold and the introduction of sustained climbing strength
Goal
Raise your sustainable power and begin developing the strength to hold controlled climbing efforts for longer.
Climbing Strength + Stamina
29 March 2027
focus
Climbing specific power, low cadence strength, VO2 Max, pacing and fatigue resistance
Goal
Turn your fitness into mountain performance: tackle steeper and repeated climbs, pace intelligently and stay strong deep into the big mountain days.
June: longer rides, pacing and event specific preparation
Every block builds on the last. Every recovery period has a purpose. Everything is designed to have you ready when it matters.
You’ll never ride alone
Your Challenge. Your Level. Your Team.
This isn't three separate trips. We'll all stay together, ride the same spectacular region and share the experience as one team.
Routes will be designed to bring the groups together throughout the four days, sharing key climbs, meeting points and finishes wherever possible.
And every evening, the whole team comes back together.
What your Monthly Coaching Includes
TRAIN
- Structured progressive cycling programme
- Indoor sessions + rideouts
- Baseline and progress testing
- Strength & conditioning
- Mobility/recovery
- Challenge-specific preparation
- Live online endurance rides
FUEL
- Pre ride fuelling strategy
- During ride fuelling strategy
- Post ride fuelling strategy
- Challenge-day nutrition
- Recovery
- Supplement guidance
MIND/TEAM
- Weekly live coach calls
- Organised group ride-outs & meet-ups
- Progress reviews/check-ins
- WhatsApp support group
- Team data tracking + analysis
- Mindset techniques
- Accountability & Milestones
POWERED BY:
The Njinga 360° Performance Code™: TRAIN | FUEL | MIND with exclusive access to our comprehensive coaching platform.
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CHALLENGE DETAILS
Your Four Nights In Austria
8th to the 12th July 2027
After nine months training together online, this is where it all comes together.
Four nights in the Austrian Alps with the team you've trained alongside all season and four unforgettable days on the bike.
£1,599 per person, based on two people sharing.
Single Supplement: £210
Secure your place with a £400 deposit. (Balance due April 2027.)
- What's included:
- 4 nights in 4* Hotel - half board (breakfast + dinner)
- 4 days fully supported cycling with van + feedstations
- Mechanic
- Daily ride briefings + Digital GPX route files
- Airport transfers
- Secure bike storage
- Grossglockner toll access
- Team celebration dinner
Excludes: flights ( transfers arranged from Salzburg airport), lunches, drinks, insurance and other incidentals.
Picture yourself here nine months from now.
You're high in the Austrian Alps, cycling the Grossglockner.
You're stronger. You're climbing better. You know how to pace yourself, how to fuel properly and how to keep going when the road kicks up again.
Nine months earlier, you looked at this mountain and wondered whether you could do it.
Now you're looking up the road thinking:
I've got this, I am strong.
That's what the next nine months are about.
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One team. Before we even get to Austria.
Throughout the nine months, we'll create opportunities to train together rather than simply alongside each other.
Organised ride-outs
Meet the team, build your endurance and put your training into practice on the road.
Live endurance rides
Regular online team rides where we train together, wherever you're based.
Team meet-ups
Opportunities to meet, ride and socialise before Austria.
Weekly coach calls + WhatsApp
Share progress, ask questions and stay accountable throughout the season.
By the time you arrive in Austria, you won't be meeting 39 strangers. You'll be meeting the team you've spent nine months training alongside.
Accelerate 2027 Costs
Success Guarantee: Complete 90% of sessions and if you're not ready for the Classic, we'll coach you free until you are.
Your Training Season
Nine months of expert coaching. One incredible team. One extraordinary goal.
Duration
9 Months
Price (pcm)
From
149
Coaching: £149/month x 9 months
Austria: £1,599pp sharing (single supplement £210)
Today you pay: £400 deposit + first month's coaching
Trip Balance: due April 2027
Nine months doesn't mean nine perfect months
Work will get busy. You'll go on holiday. You might get ill, miss sessions or have weeks when training doesn't go to plan.
We expect that.
You're not committing to nine months of perfect training. You're committing to a goal and we'll help you navigate everything that happens between now and getting there.
For everyday interruptions, our Rejoin Protocol helps you get safely back on track without feeling you need to catch up.
And if a significant injury, illness or major life event means you genuinely can't continue, Season Protection allows you to defer the unused portion towards a future eligible Njinga coaching programme.
Commit to something ambitious without expecting life to go perfectly.
Still have questions? Jump on a quick call with us and we will talk you through it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether Classic, Grand or Epic is right for me?
You don't need to decide that on day one. We'll use your current fitness, experience, goals and progress through the programme to help you choose the challenge that's right for you.
And remember: Classic isn't the easy option and Epic isn't the 'best' option. They're three different ways to create a challenge that feels genuinely significant for you.
You'll still be part of the same Njinga team in Austria.
How much training will I need to do each week?
For most of the programme, expect around 2–3 hours of structured training during the week, alongside your normal riding on the weekend.
As we get closer to Austria, we'll introduce longer weekend rides to build the endurance and climbing durability you'll need for the challenge.
The programme has been designed specifically for cyclists over 40 with jobs, families, travel and real lives to fit training around. It's about training smarter, not simply doing more.
What happens if I miss some training or need to stop completely?
If I miss training:
We expect it. Nine months is real life. Work gets busy, holidays happen, people get ill and occasionally you'll simply miss a session.
If you miss time, you won't be expected to cram in everything you've missed. Our Rejoin Protocol gives you a clear route back into the programme helping you decide what to skip, what to adjust and when you're ready to resume full training with the team.
We're looking for consistency over nine months, not nine perfect months.
What happens if I get injured or something major happens?
For more significant interruptions, our Season Protection gives you additional peace of mind.
If a significant injury, illness or major life event means you genuinely can't continue with the programme, transfer the unused value towards a future eligible Njinga coaching programme, subject to the Season Protection terms.
We want you to commit to an ambitious goal without feeling you're taking an unreasonable risk.
Your Austria challenge booking will be subject to separate cancellation terms, so we strongly recommend appropriate travel insurance.
What if I'm one of the slower riders?
That's exactly why we've created different challenge levels.
This isn't a race and nobody is expected to keep up with the strongest riders in the group. The routes and support will be organised so everyone can take on an appropriate challenge while still sharing the overall Austria experience as one team.
The objective isn't to compare yourself with everyone else, it's to discover what you're capable of after nine months of focused training.
How fit do I need to be to join?
You don't need to be ready for the Grossglockner now. That's the whole point of starting nine months beforehand.
You should already be comfortable riding a road bike and have some regular cycling experience, but you don't need to be a racer or an exceptionally strong climber.
We'll establish where you're starting from, help you choose the right challenge level and progressively build you towards it.
Arrive willing to improve, not ready. We'll work on the ready part together.
What equipment will I need?
For the coaching programme you'll need:
An indoor trainer or Wattbike that records power, speed and cadence
Heart-rate monitor
Laptop or tablet with stable internet connection
Road bike
A power meter and exercise mat are recommended but not essential.
(If you use a Peloton, you can take part with compatible power pedals.)
We'll also provide guidance on gearing, equipment and bike preparation for Austria well before the challenge.
What's included in my coaching and the Austria challenge?
Your nine months of Accelerate coaching includes structured cycling training, coach-led indoor sessions, strength and conditioning, mobility and recovery, performance testing and tracking, nutrition and fuelling guidance, mindset support, weekly live coach contact and the private team WhatsApp group.
Your £1,599 Austria Challenge includes:
Four nights' 4-star hotel accommodation, sharing a room
Half board
Airport transfers from Salzburg
Four days of fully supported riding
Daily ride briefings and digital GPX routes
Support vehicle and mechanical support
Secure bike storage
Grossglockner road access
Celebration dinner
Not included: flights to Salzburg, lunches and café stops, drinks with meals, travel insurance, personal expenses, replacement parts/spares and gratuities.
Single occupancy is available at additional cost.
