My Preparation Plan: If you’re wondering how I’m training for this adventure, I’m using a four-phase approach.
I’m currently halfway through Phase One.
Each phase has a clear purpose, and Phase One is all about building the foundation—strength, durability, and aerobic capacity—without rushing the process.
Phase-based training keeps me focused on developing the qualities that matter most over time, rather than chasing short-term mileage or intensity.
I’ll share Phase Two once Phase One is complete.
Mantra for Phase One
More information coming soon. Stay Tuned.
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More information coming soon. Stay Tuned. 〰️
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been selected to participate in the 2026 Warrior Expeditions bike ride across America—a cross-country journey in support of veterans and a personal commitment to living forward.
As I prepare for a May 19, 2026 start, my focus is simple and repeatable:
Train. Refuel. Recover.
I consistently train to build the strength, durability, and the resilience needed for long days in the saddle and back-to-back riding, without breaking down.
I refuel to support performance, recovery, and long-term health, not short-term fixes.
And I recover with intention, because adaptation happens when the work is absorbed, not just when it’s done.
This preparation is as much about my mindset as mileage. Showing up consistently. Listening to my body. Making decisions that support the life I want to keep living—not just this ride, but the years beyond it.
Along the way, I’ll be sharing the training, the lessons, and the lived experience of preparing for and completing a cross-country ride later in life, so others can see what’s possible when movement becomes maintenance and engagement becomes a daily choice.
Why Preparation Matters
This ride isn’t about speed or proving toughness.
It’s about durability.
Much of what we accept as “normal aging” is really the result of deconditioning—moving less, asking less of our bodies, and slowly shrinking our expectations of what’s possible.
Preparing for a cross-country ride requires something different:
Consistent movement
Intentional fueling
Respect for recovery
This preparation is how I maintain strength, curiosity, and engagement—not just for this ride, but for the years ahead.
Cycling Progression
Phase 1 — Foundation (Weeks 1–4)
Goal: Aerobic base + tolerance
Weekly Rides:
Long aerobic ride: 60–75 min - 2 sessions
Strength endurance ride: 4 × 6 min - 1 session
Easy aerobic rides: 45–60 min - 3 sessions
Focus
✔ Smooth cadence
✔ Comfortable breathing
✔ Habit development > intensity
✔ Break in new Brooks saddle — 1/9/2026
Milestones
Legs recover well
Minimum soreness
Fatigue feels manageable
Training Rules:
Indoor ride rule: 90 min max
Outdoor ride rule: Finish feeling like you could ride again tomorrow
Phase 1 is to train durability, not mileage.
Consistent time in the saddle.
First 30 Minutes of Ride (Fueling)
Carbs: 40–80 g
Protein: 20–30 g
Fluids: 18–24 oz
My Framework
Train • Refuel • Recover
TRAIN
Training for any event is essential. It’s preparing you mentally and physically for the challenge.
My focus is on:
Building aerobic capacity for long, steady days
Strength training to protect joints and preserve muscle
Back-to-back ride readiness
Mobility and balance to stay resilient, not brittle
No extremes.
No shortcuts.
Just steady, repeatable work.
