From Club Cyclist to Alpine Conqueror

The Challenge – L'Etape and Beyond

As Secretary of Dittons Velo Club, Gerda had invited Njinga to deliver performance talks for her club. The sessions on becoming a better cyclist, fuelling smarter, and climbing faster were a huge success. But when she signed up for L'Etape du Tour – a brutal 157km race with 4,150m of climbing – followed by an additional week of alpine riding, Gerda knew club rides and casual training wouldn't be enough.

She needed structure. She needed a plan. And she needed expert guidance to tackle one of cycling's most iconic challenges.

"I signed up to do L'Etape and an additional week of more climbing in the French Alps. I needed a structured plan and help to be ready for this great adventure."

That's when she signed up to Perform.

Training with Njinga

Working through Perform's 12-week climbing plan, Gerda found a programme that fitted her life. Three indoor sessions and two outdoor rides each week built her strength progressively, while Togo's guidance during climbing sessions kept her motivated and on track.

But it wasn't just about the bike. Gerda embraced the holistic approach – adding the 30-day core challenge (under 30 minutes per session, so she could fit it in 3-4 times a week), stretching after every climbing session, and exploring mobility and yoga sessions to stay resilient.

The transformation was gradual but undeniable. Indoor training, which she'd never enjoyed before, became manageable, even rewarding. The climbing sessions were tough but achievable. And with Leigh's support navigating the platform and Togo coaching her through each session, she felt stronger and more confident with every week that passed.

"The climbing sessions were tough but doable and as Togo was at hand to talk us through the sessions the hour (nearly) flew by."

Perhaps most importantly, Gerda internalised Togo's mantra: "You can do this. You are strong."

She would need that belief when race day arrived.

Find out more: Perform

The transformation

The journey to Anne masse went smoothly. Then reality hit: 37°C heat. Not just warm, dangerously hot for a 157km mountain race.

Out of 16,000 registered riders, only 11,000 would finish. The last two climbs – a Category 1 and an HC (Hors Catégorie, beyond categorisation) – stretched 14km and 11km respectively, both in full sun. Riders were strewn along the roadside, desperately seeking shade to cool down.

Gerda dug deep. When her legs screamed and the heat became overwhelming, Togo's words echoed in her mind: You can do this. You are strong.

She pushed through the Col de la Ramaz. She powered up the Col de Joux Plane. And she crossed the finish line in Morzine – one of only 763 women to complete the race.

"The L'Etape was epic and I felt a real sense of achievement coming over the finish line in Morzine. I felt I was really well prepared for the race itself thanks to the training with Njinga."

But Gerda wasn't done yet.

After L'Etape, rather than recovering, Gerda and her group continued their alpine odyssey. The first day saw them tackle Col d'Izoard – 100km with 2,200m of climbing. Stunning, but unsustainable in the heat.

They adjusted. Smarter riding meant shorter routes and earlier starts to escape the worst of the temperature. Over the following days, Gerda conquered some of cycling's most iconic climbs:

• Col du Lauteret and Col du Galibier
• Les Lacets de Montvernier,
• Col du Glandon, and Col de la Croix de Fer
• Alpe d'Huez (the iconic 21-hairpin climb)
• Col du Granon

By the time they headed home, Gerda had climbed 13,000 metres over 10 days in the French Alps.

"What a most beautiful cycling holiday which I don't think I could have enjoyed as much without the training and support I received from Togo and Leigh and all the info and sessions in Perform."

Rating the Njinga Experience

For Gerda, Perform didn't just prepare her physically – it gave her confidence, structure, and the knowledge that she could tackle challenges far bigger than she'd imagined.

At first, the wealth of information on the platform felt overwhelming. But with Leigh's guidance and a clear training plan, everything fell into place. Indoor sessions became manageable. Core work became routine. Stretching and mobility work became non-negotiable.

Most importantly, the training worked. When the race came, Gerda was ready – not just to survive, but to smash it.

What's Next?

After conquering L'Etape and 13,000m of climbing across the French Alps, Gerda knows what she's capable of. She's stronger, more confident, and ready for whatever challenge comes next.

More than that, she's discovered a love for structured training that once seemed impossible for someone who "didn't normally like indoor training."

This Could Be You!

If, like Gerda, you're preparing for a major event but don't know where to start, Njinga can transform your training.

You don't need endless hours to make dramatic improvements. What you need is structure, guidance, and a plan designed by experts who understand what it takes to conquer the world's toughest climbs.

Ready to take on your own epic challenge? Start training smarter today, book your free 15 min coach call

Looking for inspiration? Read how Trevor went from struggling with 30km rides to conquering LEJOG.