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When I talk about being Battle Ready, I’m not just talking theory. It’s a real-world approach that helps you say “yes” to big endurance challenges without having to be in peak race shape all year round. Recently, I put that philosophy to the test at the Glorious Gravel Double Centurion — a 210km ride across Salisbury Plain, with nearly half the distance on rough, rolling gravel.

Here’s how it played out — and how a consistent, realistic approach prepared me for a tough day out.

The Goal: 210km and 10 Hours in the Saddle

The plan was straightforward: ride 210km with around 100km on gravel, expecting around 10 hours total riding time. This wasn’t a race, but it wasn’t a casual spin either — a solid endurance challenge in midsummer heat.

The Training Block: Building Battle Ready Fitness

Since January 1st, I’d averaged around 10 hours of training per week, with 5 hours 40 minutes of that on the bike. My weekly rhythm was simple:

Longest training rides? A couple at 133km (5h30) and a few around 100km. My biggest week came during a training camp in Mallorca — 21 hours and 503km. Beyond that, I stayed consistent with one high-intensity (HIT) bike workout each week.

What mattered most? No missed weeks. I had just two low-volume weeks due to a cold, both after Mallorca, which arguably helped me absorb that big training load.

I also kept up with strength work — roughly every four days, focused on sleep, dialled in my nutrition (not for weight loss, but for health and recovery), and cut alcohol down to two nights a week.

The foundation? Years of endurance training and a long history of long-distance rides. And, importantly, only eight days off through illness in the past ten months.

Event Day: When Battle Ready Meets Reality

The Double Centurion took 10 hours 48 minutes, at an average speed of 19.3km/h — much quicker than our normal gravel pace. It also doubled the length of my longest ride this year.

Conditions were hot and dry, with temperatures peaking at 35ºC. I felt strong for around 150km, but then dehydration and cramps started creeping in over the final stretch. The last 15km were a real battle — mostly against my own body.

Despite consuming 60g of carbs per hour and drinking 8 litres of water, it wasn’t quite enough in the extreme heat. Lesson learned.

The Takeaways

This is what Battle Ready means in practice:

• Consistent, year-round training trumps short-term heroics.
• HIT sessions and long rides make a difference — even when most rides are moderate.
• Strength work, sleep, nutrition, and reduced alcohol all count for more than you think.
• You don’t need to be in peak shape to take on big days — but you do need to be prepared.
• Even with great preparation, nature (and heat) always has the final say.

Being Battle Ready isn’t about perfection — it’s about giving yourself the freedom to take on challenges like this… and come out smiling (even if slightly cramped up).

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“Battle Ready isn’t a slogan — it’s a way of life. Join the SWAT Inner Circle and build the strength, resilience, and longevity that last.”
​Find out more here

Thanks for being part of the tribe — I’m here to help you stay healthy, strong, and performing at your best. ​ Simon

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Please check out these podcasts and articles

​ PODCAST: How to be Battle Ready What does it really mean to be battle ready? In this episode of the High Performance Human Podcast, host Simon Ward breaks down a smarter, more sustainable approach to health and fitness — one that’s built for the demands of everyday life, not just race day. Forget chasing peak performance 24/7. Instead, Simon explores how to create a balanced, resilient body and mind through consistent training, smart recovery, and holistic health habits. Whether you're a triathlete, weekend warrior, or just someone who wants to stay strong and active as you age, this episode gives you the tools to be fit for life — not just for now. Tune in now

ARTICLE: Sleep the best Recovery tool you have Back in my younger days, I didn’t give much thought to sleep as a way to enhance performance. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice now, it would be this: pay more attention to what you do in the hours before bedtime. Your pre-sleep routine directly impacts both the quality and quantity of your sleep—and in turn, your overall performance. These days, sleep experts talk a lot about "sleep opportunity." Once you’re asleep, your body takes over the process, but you have a huge influence on how much rest you get and how restorative it is. Creating the right environment and routine before bed can make all the difference. How to create a great pre-sleep routine (3 min read)

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