Training for 7 Days of Bicycle Touring at 70 (My Double-Day Method)

Week 1: Stack days 1–3, rest day, then normal riding days 5–7 (Stack Day Miles are 20/20)
Week 2: Normal training week – My normal training weeks are about 140 miles with a rest day.
Week 3: Stack days 1–3 again (no ego increase) (Stack Day Miles Stay at 20/20)
Week 4: Normal week
Week 5: Stack days 1–3, rest day, Normal training on days 6-7 (Up your Stack Day Miles to 25/25)
Week 6: Normal week
Week 7: Stack days 1–4, rest day, Normal training on days 6-7 (Up your Stack Day Miles to 25/30)
Week 8: Normal week
Week 9: Stack days 1–4, rest day, Normal training on days 6-7 (Up your Stack Day Miles to 30/35)
Week 10: No more stack days. Just train normally but do at least 2 rides back to back at 60 to 65 miles. This is the rides that tell me just how prepared I am.
Week 11: Back to normal training with no ride over 30 to 35 miles. Most at 20 miles.
Week 12: Taper off. This is the week before the tour and also the week I will be traveling to my start destination. I will ride around 20 miles a day on these days and will not ride on the 2 day trip to La Crescent.

I do not stack more than 4 days in a row for a simple reason. I will typically take a rest day after the 4th day. Remember, I am 70 and this is not a race. I want to stay healthy and as fresh as possible. I find a rest day after 4 days works best for me.

I’m not rushing this. At 70, durability matters more than bravado.

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Full 12-Week Structure Notes:

This is the plan. I’ll update it as reality unfolds.

• Weeks 1–4: Build pattern, alternate stack and normal weeks. The body is slowly adapting to tour stress. No need to rush it and burn out later.
• Weeks 5–9: Increase gradually never exceeding planned tour daily average.
• Week 10: Back-to-back 60–65 mile rides at touring pace.
• Week 11: Backing off here will help you be fresher on day 1.
• Week 12: Taper. Keep rides short. Start fresh.
• Week 1 begins March 8th. I’ll update this post at the end of each week with real results.

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Follow This Plan as It Unfolds

This is the plan on paper. But training never unfolds perfectly. I do not like rigid schedules and so I can guarantee you that the plan will change as I get into it.

I’ll be updating this post as each week passes so you can see what actually worked, what I adjusted, and how my legs responded.

Bookmark this page and check back. You’ll be able to follow the real-world version—not just the theory.

Watching the plan evolve may be more valuable than the plan itself.

When Life Gets in the Way

Life happens.

• Don’t try to make it up.
• Don’t feel guilty.
• Even part of the plan is better than none of it.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency.

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Medical Clearance (Especially for Seniors)

Before starting this plan, I saw my doctor. Full checkup. Blood work. Cleared to go.

Seniors—and honestly anyone attempting higher mileage—should do the same.

Being 70 doesn’t scare me. Being careless would.

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Recovery Rules

• Control ride #1 so ride #2 is productive.
• Eat between rides.
• Hydrate aggressively.
• Sleep like it matters—because it does.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Some links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Bottom Line

This double-day method trains me to ride again when I’m not fresh. That’s what touring really demands.

Seven days. 470 miles. Age 70.

Stacking (Double-Day), Defined: Two rides in one day used to simulate touring fatigue and build repeatable endurance.