Ok, I'm a big guy, will always be. Started riding last April (2010) @ just under 300 lbs. 4300 miles later I'm @ 245. Cholesterol went from 190 to 85, the doc likes me again.
Have went from tight 40 waist to wearing 36's. Closer to 50 years than anything else.
Started riding @ 8-10-12 miles, always pushed just a bit. Just wired that way. Most of my rides now @ 30+ miles a lot of 50's and with a few 75+ miles every few weeks.
But, over the past 3-4 weeks I've got more aggressive on the hills, (live in the Ozarks) standing, working harder, taller gear, even trying to gain speed on them - just pushing myself. One thing I discovered about the same time is if I bend farther down, nose toward the stem - it feels like I'm getting more strength into the pedal stroke. But now, I'm getting a bit touchy in the lower back. Is this something I need to build up to or just stay setting up more.
Bike set up is unchanged -
exact same everything.
Anybody else been here before?
marc