Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.JumboRider
09-10-05, 04:24 PM
Hello again,
Short version
I am a 6’4”, 350 lbs, 41 year old guy starting to commute 14 miles round trip with moderate hills. I will be riding a heavy Schwinn Impact Pro MTB equipped with slicks and not much else.
Long-winded version. Like riding up a 20% grade during a thunderstorm
I was in great shape 15 years ago. That was before kids, a stressful sit-down job, and a 3-hour commute by car. You can add to that general sloth and you have man 150 lbs over weight. After suffering a severe bout of depression that cost me my job I decided that I had to make a change to be the happy guy God wanted me to be.
The first step was to get a job. The job had to be close to home and suit my personality. This was a challenge. I could not move due to some non-financial issues, and I lived in the suburbs. I landed a position at a local community college 7 miles from my home. This job paid roughly 50% less than I made before and I was no longer a manager. Thos that have read “Who Moved My Cheese” will understand that not only did I need to find my cheese; I needed to evaluate what cheese made me most happy. I earn enough money to cover my bills and the time saved is priceless.
The next step is to eat right and exercise my body. The two are linked. I simply cannot eat correctly without treating my body correctly. But I hate wasted effort. Any effort without practical purpose is wasted and exercise just for physical benefit is not enough motivation for me to expend that effort. Now, riding a bike 5 days a week from home to work and back, avoiding the $3 a gallon gas price, makes a ton of sense. So here I am about to begin.
Those that are not significantly obese will not be able to truly understand my fears. Well, everyone will understand the fear of motor vehicle drivers, but looking foolish to all that see you, worry about physical pain and health, and fear that your butt will swallow your saddle whole are fears know to us jumbo’s only. We know that you must start somewhere, but the fears are real. Luckily I have shower facilities available at the college and only a ½ stretch of white, knuckle street to worry about.
Well, there you have it. That is I in a nutshell. I will begin after prep my pig of a bike. That will be in about a week. Hopefully I will be reducing the weight of my load by about 6 pounds a month for the next several months. When I get down to weight I will consider finding a nice light bike. I have been lurking these forums for a few weeks and promise to search the forums prior to asking a question. It is nice to meet you all.
God bless and may the wind be at your back with traffic far to your left,
Dave
:p
Short version
I am a 6’4”, 350 lbs, 41 year old guy starting to commute 14 miles round trip with moderate hills. I will be riding a heavy Schwinn Impact Pro MTB equipped with slicks and not much else.
Long-winded version. Like riding up a 20% grade during a thunderstorm
I was in great shape 15 years ago. That was before kids, a stressful sit-down job, and a 3-hour commute by car. You can add to that general sloth and you have man 150 lbs over weight. After suffering a severe bout of depression that cost me my job I decided that I had to make a change to be the happy guy God wanted me to be.
The first step was to get a job. The job had to be close to home and suit my personality. This was a challenge. I could not move due to some non-financial issues, and I lived in the suburbs. I landed a position at a local community college 7 miles from my home. This job paid roughly 50% less than I made before and I was no longer a manager. Thos that have read “Who Moved My Cheese” will understand that not only did I need to find my cheese; I needed to evaluate what cheese made me most happy. I earn enough money to cover my bills and the time saved is priceless.
The next step is to eat right and exercise my body. The two are linked. I simply cannot eat correctly without treating my body correctly. But I hate wasted effort. Any effort without practical purpose is wasted and exercise just for physical benefit is not enough motivation for me to expend that effort. Now, riding a bike 5 days a week from home to work and back, avoiding the $3 a gallon gas price, makes a ton of sense. So here I am about to begin.
Those that are not significantly obese will not be able to truly understand my fears. Well, everyone will understand the fear of motor vehicle drivers, but looking foolish to all that see you, worry about physical pain and health, and fear that your butt will swallow your saddle whole are fears know to us jumbo’s only. We know that you must start somewhere, but the fears are real. Luckily I have shower facilities available at the college and only a ½ stretch of white, knuckle street to worry about.
Well, there you have it. That is I in a nutshell. I will begin after prep my pig of a bike. That will be in about a week. Hopefully I will be reducing the weight of my load by about 6 pounds a month for the next several months. When I get down to weight I will consider finding a nice light bike. I have been lurking these forums for a few weeks and promise to search the forums prior to asking a question. It is nice to meet you all.
God bless and may the wind be at your back with traffic far to your left,
Dave
:p