Can Two Normal People Get Bike Fit in 12 Weeks?
We love riding bikes. What we don’t necessarily love is the realization that wanting to go on bigger adventures and actually being in shape for those adventures are two very different things.
So we’re doing something about it.
For the next 12 weeks, we’re following a cycling training plan designed to build our fitness gradually and get us comfortable riding longer distances again.
We’re not professional cyclists. We’re not trying to become professional cyclists. And we’re definitely not rearranging our entire lives around training.
We’re two normal people who want to be fit enough to say yes when an adventure comes along.
Because that’s really the whole idea behind Two Wheel Wild:
Adventure is worth training for.
Why We’re Doing a 12-Week Cycling Challenge
It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll get back in shape “eventually.”
It’s also easy to ride when you feel like it, skip a week when life gets busy, and then wonder why longer rides never seem to get any easier.
We wanted some structure.
Our goal with this 12-week plan is to gradually build endurance and cycling fitness without turning riding into a second job.
By the end of the 12 weeks, the goal is to be comfortable completing a 50-mile ride.
The 50 miles isn’t really the point, though. It’s a target that gives us something concrete to work toward.
What we’re really training for is the ability to do more of the things we enjoy—longer rides, new routes, cycling trips and eventually bigger two-wheel adventures.
Who Is This Training Plan For?
We created this plan with regular people in mind.
It may be a good fit if you’re:
● Getting into cycling and ready to start building endurance
● Returning to cycling after some time away
● Riding occasionally but want more structure
● Interested in working toward longer recreational rides
● Looking for a realistic cycling plan that can fit around normal life
You don’t need to be fast.
You don’t need an expensive bike.
And you don’t need to spend every day training.
You just need a reasonable starting level of fitness, a bike that works for you, and a willingness to be consistent.
What You Need to Get Started
You don’t need a closet full of expensive cycling gear to follow this plan, but a few basics can make riding safer and a whole lot more comfortable.
A properly fitting helmet is the obvious place to start. Beyond that, one of the biggest comfort upgrades for longer rides is a good pair of padded cycling shorts or bibs. You may not think you need them on a short ride, but as the mileage increases, you’ll probably appreciate having them.
A moisture-wicking cycling jersey or athletic shirt can also be much more comfortable than regular cotton, especially in warm weather. Cycling-specific jerseys have the added advantage of back pockets for things like your phone, snacks and other small items.
Depending on your bike and riding style, you may also want cycling gloves, eye protection or sunglasses, and comfortable cycling shoes or athletic shoes that work well with your pedals.
Then there are the things we consider basic ride gear: water bottles or another hydration system, a small repair kit, spare tube or appropriate tire-repair supplies, tire levers and a way to inflate a tire. As our rides get longer, we’ll also carry snacks or other easy-to-eat fuel.
You don’t have to buy everything at once, and you certainly don’t need the most expensive version of everything. Start with the essentials, ride your bike, and you’ll quickly figure out which upgrades actually matter to you.
We’ll share links to some of the clothing, gear and accessories we use and recommend as we work through the 12-week plan.
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
How the Plan Works
The plan progresses over 12 weeks, with each week building toward the next.
Rather than making every ride hard, the workouts have different purposes.
There are easier rides, moderate-effort rides, another activity or ride during the week, and a longer ride that gradually increases as fitness improves.
That long ride is the main goal of each week.
We also included recovery and nutrition guidance because getting fitter isn’t only about piling on more miles. Rest, food and listening to your body matter too.
And if Week 1 feels like too much right now, we’ve included a two-week preparation option to help you work up to the starting point.
We’re Doing the Plan Too
This isn’t a training plan we’re handing out while sitting on the couch telling everyone else what to do.
We’re doing it ourselves.
We’re documenting all 12 weeks—the good rides, the bad rides, the days we feel strong and probably the days when we’d rather not get on the bike at all.
Each week we’ll share what we did, how it went and what we’re learning along the way.
We’re not coaches or elite athletes. We’re simply testing what happens when two ordinary people make a commitment to get bike fit and stick with it for 12 weeks.
Follow Our 12-Week Cycling Challenge
We’re also documenting the entire challenge on our Two Wheel Wild YouTube channel.
Watch Episode 1:
https://youtu.be/tvRT5J_YiNc?is=8wHzxMChZ2gmiHXZ
We’ll be adding a new video and blog update as we work through the plan, so you can follow along—or grab your bike and do the challenge with us.
Get the 12-Week Cycling Training Plan
https://two-wheel-wild.kit.com/8b6131806a
What Happens at the End?
At the end of Week 12, we’ll put the plan to the test with a 50-mile ride.
Will we feel amazing?
Will we question all of our life choices somewhere around mile 42?
There’s really only one way to find out.
Follow along with the 12-week series and see how it goes.
And if you’ve been thinking about getting back on your bike yourself, maybe this is your excuse to start too.
Adventure is worth training for.
Ride. Explore. Grow.
Two Wheel Wild
This training plan shares our approach and experience and isn’t individualized medical or fitness advice. Consider your current fitness and health before beginning a new exercise program, and check with a qualified healthcare professional if you have questions or concerns.
A few things we actually use and recommend. I’ve linked them below if you want to check them out.
Helmets – If you are interested in a bicycle helmet with built in communication like we have we highly recommend the Sena R1. We have been using this helmet for at least six years and they continue to perform flawlessly.
Another great option is the Bell Sixer MIPS helmet. It includes the Multi Directional Impact Protection and comes in a variety of great colors.
Cycling shorts – We have used a lot of different brands of cycling shorts and many of them are awesome. We’ve decided upon two to recommend.
The first is by Pearl Izumi. This company makes indestructible bike shorts at a midway price point. I have a pair that I’ve owned for at least twenty years. They are also very comfortable.
Pearl Izumi Women’s Cycling Shorts (Women’s)
Pearl Izumi Men’s Cycling Shorts. (Men’s)
Baleaf is a company that makes all kinds of high quality fitness wear for low prices. I have never had a bad piece of gear from Baleaf. I was thrilled to find that they also make cycling shorts. And did I mention they come in great colors?
BALEAF Women’s Cycling Shorts (Women’s)
BALEAF Men’s Cycling Shorts (Men’s)
Hydration – There are a number of ways to hydrate while cycling. The most common way is to use a water bottle in a bottle cage attached to your bicycle. It’s convenient however drinking from a water bottle while riding can be tricky, and it takes practice. If you are not fully comfortable doing it you may avoid drinking as much as you should. In this case we recommend that you try hydration packs with bladders. Here are two of our favorites:
Osprey Seral Biking Waist Pack
CamelBak Rogue Bike Hydration Pack
And Now We Ride
We’ve got the bikes, we’ve got the gear, and we’ve got a plan. Now we just have to see what happens.
We’ll share the good rides, the rough ones, the things that work, and the things we figure out the hard way. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, we’ll prove that two normal people really can get bike fit in 12 weeks.
Time to ride.
