Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - The Over 200 Pounds Thread: Clydesdale-O-Rama

Found your group. I am also in the track forum. anyway, 50 y/o male, had gastric bypass, lost 165lbs 5 yrs ago.. started riding after 17 years off bikes. got weight down to 180 then tried c/cross racing. loved it, even though always last (but finished)! started gaining again early last year after c/cross over. last summer took up fixed gear and tried track racing. took a free course at t-town velodrome. got my a@@ handed to me! still have hell of a time keeping weight off, but goal is to race again in spring. now i'm about 225 and 5'10". gotta lose alot so i don't die on the track! anyway: bypass will get you down to a fighting weight, then it's up to you to stay there! i hope you all well and i'll be looking for some good advice and tips.
Welcome aboard Oger! Fellow Bypass patient here, and it's good to run across another! Check out these threads!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=257976
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=240772
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=231419

Glad I found this! I posted over on the Roadie page. I've been cycling for a long time, mostly mountain biking but since moving to the City a couple years ago I haven't gotten much use out of it, part laziness, part busy work schedule, part not liking to pedal that bike on the pavement.

I'm looking to get a Roadie suitable for my 6'1" 255# self. I really need to start loosing some weight, I have deskjob, and have joint problems which made me stop weight training 2yrs ago and I've put on 30#s since :(

I'll always be a Clydesdale. When I joined the Army I was off the height/weight chart so they tested my body fat percentage and gave me a waiver. I'm 6'2 and my lean body mass is around 193 lbs. So anytime I have more than essential body fat (3%) I'm a Clydesdale. I weighed 242 recently but I'm trying to get down to about 230. I played college Lax at between 210-215, but that ain't happenin. I'm starting to cycle more as I have kids, live in the city where parking can be difficult and need to give my knees a break.

I won the Clydesdale Div. of a 10K road race in Concord, NH years back. And finished 185th. I wanted them to run a "Chainsaw Class" where everyone had to carry a 7lb chainsaw. That would put the skinny guys in place.

Glad I found this! I posted over on the Roadie page. I've been cycling for a long time, mostly mountain biking but since moving to the City a couple years ago I haven't gotten much use out of it, part laziness, part busy work schedule, part not liking to pedal that bike on the pavement.

I'm looking to get a Roadie suitable for my 6'1" 255# self. I really need to start loosing some weight, I have deskjob, and have joint problems which made me stop weight training 2yrs ago and I've put on 30#s since :(
Pretty much any frame will do, as long as it isn't one of those bonded thin wall Osmium/Scanium frames or ultra lightweight other racing frames! What you want are good wheels! I'd be hesitant about Carbon frames and carbon forks, but that's me! I prefer lugged steel. Aluminum is fine and so is Ti! Depends on how much you want to spend!

On the wheels, hand built 36 spoke and you'll be golden! Don't sweat about shaving grams, except on the body for now, and keep your road bike safe for a bigger rider.

well guys, now at 256 but picked up my carbon giant ors2 a couple of months back and haven't had any trouble with the carbon frame at all. the worst thing was the seat - they seem to never come with a seat that fits your butt. now have a wtb laser that seems ok. have to put a few more miles on it. but the numbness from down below (you know where) has gone away, and has not returned so i guess the groove in the seat does it's job. now for the seattle to portland run in july. that will be a personal best. on the south beach diet starting tomorrow, and plan to get to 220 by june. i am now down from 283 last year, so it can be done. thanks for all the great tips on this site. i find that the best info comes from those who are either experiencing 'clydseness' or have been there. keep up the good work.

cole

well guys, now at 256 but picked up my carbon giant ors2 a couple of months back and haven't had any trouble with the carbon frame at all. the worst thing was the seat - they seem to never come with a seat that fits your butt. now have a wtb laser that seems ok. have to put a few more miles on it. but the numbness from down below (you know where) has gone away, and has not returned so i guess the groove in the seat does it's job. now for the seattle to portland run in july. that will be a personal best. on the south beach diet starting tomorrow, and plan to get to 220 by june. i am now down from 283 last year, so it can be done. thanks for all the great tips on this site. i find that the best info comes from those who are either experiencing 'clydseness' or have been there. keep up the good work.

cole
By the way, to clarify what I said about CF. My reservations aren't about the strength, they're about what happens to CF in a crash and hidden damage that can cause catastrophic frame failure.

i am new, so still a little nervous about this carbon thing. altho while in the usaf, i held a piece of composite recovered from an f-111 that went down in sea, and was amazed at the strength. this was a honeycomb composite, a forerunner of modern stuff. at 256, i don't want an imaginary splinter entering my body in any scenario. but i do like the weight, and it seems to ride very nicely. now, if i could just get used to that saddle............................:D

Pretty much any frame will do, as long as it isn't one of those bonded thin wall Osmium/Scanium frames or ultra lightweight other racing frames! What you want are good wheels! I'd be hesitant about Carbon frames and carbon forks, but that's me! I prefer lugged steel. Aluminum is fine and so is Ti! Depends on how much you want to spend!

On the wheels, hand built 36 spoke and you'll be golden! Don't sweat about shaving grams, except on the body for now, and keep your road bike safe for a bigger rider.

Good to know! Thanks, Hopefully within' the next couple of weeks I'll have me a new bike!

YYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS 198.75 on the balance scale in the gym today,
damn, I forgot to take a picture of the scale with my phone




I is envious...................................214 was 251 4 years ago

im 6 foot 6 485 pounds. I ride a 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport
I am impressed.

hey everybody...i'm 23 yrs old, 5'10" and tip the scales at 198-199 lbs. i have gained around 60 lbs in the last 3 years, and it is not muscle...all fat around my torso/chest. i primarily play hockey, and 200lbs is a pretty respectable weight on the rink, imagine my surprise when i'm considered a heavyweight on a bicycle! i started biking seriously primarily for aerobic and anaerobic conditioning for hockey, and hopefully on the bike and in the gym, i'll be able to replace much of my fat with muscle...my goal isn't to weight 140 again like back in high school, but i'd be very happy dropping below 170.

i'm already seeing excellent results with the aerobic conditioning on the bike, i no longer crash near the end of a hockey game like i did before...i can skate longer, harder, and don't feel exhausted after a game.

i ride an '06 Giant OCR2, and love riding...the weather here has been incredible, 3 rainy days this whole season. unfortunately during the summer the highs hit 100F for weeks on end.

Down to 212-215. woohoo. Just don't tell my wife. Last time I told her how much I lost, she got mad.
If and or when I get down under 200, I wonder if my friends will think I'm too skinny.

6'1" and 225, ride a Trek Fuel 90 through the woods, way too much fun. I've also had the pleasure of blowing past lighter dudes on trails people said I couldn't hang. I was my best race weight at 180-190 but I've been off my bike for almost three years, gotta get back into it. I getting ready to buy a new for my Trek but still not sure which one I want. I also need a roofrack for my Audi wagon so I can tote said bike.

Hope to hear from you all, I'm a true newby.

Ciao,

-Dale

except for about a year during my service time, i've been in the clyde category for 26 years; i'm 6'1", at present about 225. (i had gotten mad fitness last summer, got down to 210 or maybe a touch less) 200+ is no big deal, i'm the smallest of the three sons my mother birthed (one is 6'5", 275 after slimming due to diabetes, the other 6'7", 280 after same) -- oddly enough, i'm the biggest of the four sons my dad sired (the only clyde in the line). i'm also the only one who rides! i love it when people talk to me about how high my saddle is; it keeps other folks from thinking they can help themselves. been told a few times that i should be racing, based on my commute times across town, but i'm just not interested -- maybe when i have the extra cash and nothing to spend it on...!

i saw a lot of pix of my fellow biggies on road bikes -- roll on, guys! but i won't be joining you on those rides, not with my FS/AM rig (5" SPV rear, 6" front). my spine won't go where you go. but i'm not hatin'. i'm just RIDIN' !!

Hey all I post around here...and plan to come more often now to keep myself motiviated!

I'm 6'3" weigh 220...plan to be below 200 this season for the first time in a long time.

I ride an S-Works e5 w/Ultregra and Dura-Ace goodies. Proud to be a Clydesdale that everyone I ride with counts on to pull thru the wind and up the hills!

tom: down to 247 as of Thursday. I went on the south beach diet. anyway, better weather and longer daylight in these parts is going to accellerate my weight loss program.

cole

6' 2" 220 and I ride a Felt 70 the past 2 years. My reality is that riding has not contributed to any appreciable weight loss, at all. I know the many variables involved but the short version is 125 - 150 miles a week with a cadence of 80-95 and mixed terrain. My heart monitor tells me I'm pushing my limit but the weight never goes away!

hey, i'm there now! gained 30+ over the past year + since stopping x/cross practice and racing. guess old habits are back after gastric bypass 5 years ago. now i started jogging (more like shuffing) about 3 miles 3x a week, that gets the heart rate up more than the bike for me. and now i lift more and heavier weights. so i wont be racing track again or c/cross anytime soon ,but biking is still a passion for me. i feel good, and now enjoy biking instead of worrying so much about losing weight to race. i know there are alot of folk whom are big and race: i see several at the v-drome at Lehigh and they do great! but i can't take the embarishment again. thats just me. enjoy your rides!

6' 2" 220 and I ride a Felt 70 the past 2 years. My reality is that riding has not contributed to any appreciable weight loss, at all. I know the many variables involved but the short version is 125 - 150 miles a week with a cadence of 80-95 and mixed terrain. My heart monitor tells me I'm pushing my limit but the weight never goes away!

If you are anything like me you probably reward yourself with an extra helping of food because your ride so hard. Unless you are all muscle, you would probably get slightly below 200 with a reduction of calories.
You might want to look into what your lean body mass is rather than your weight. You may have lost 15 pounds of fat riding last season but gained an equal amount of muscle. I'm no lightweight either its just what I am becoming aware of myself.....I need to maintain my riding but consciously reduce my serving sizes,eat slightly different foods and eliminate some others all together.:o

I have been 215.8 every time I way for 3 months, I am eating better, less and riding the go nowhere bike all the time but still stuck at 215.
I go ride for and hour now I guess.

At 6 ft, and 282lbs, I guess I qualify.
I am ridding to get back in shape, and to raise money for aids life cycle. (aidslifecycle.org/1562)
I ride a '06 Motobecane Sprint. There is a picture of me and the bike at the above address.
Not sure if it is a good pick for a clydesdaye or not, but I have almost 900 miles on it and nothing has broken yet. 10 sp casset, tripple crank, Ultegra shifters.
Any advice on how someone 41 years old and 280 lbs rides a bike 545 miles in 7 days without killing themselves, let me know. :)

At 6 ft, and 282lbs, I guess I qualify.
I am ridding to get back in shape, and to raise money for aids life cycle. (aidslifecycle.org/1562)
I ride a '06 Motobecane Sprint. There is a picture of me and the bike at the above address.
Not sure if it is a good pick for a clydesdaye or not, but I have almost 900 miles on it and nothing has broken yet. 10 sp casset, tripple crank, Ultegra shifters.
Any advice on how someone 41 years old and 280 lbs rides a bike 545 miles in 7 days without killing themselves, let me know. :)
Train for it, get the lungs and legs strong enough, hydrate right, fuel right, and do your best. When you hit the wall, and you WILL hit the wall, remember that you are doing it voluntarily, no one is making you do it, reach down inside and then finish the bloody ride!:D It's only averaging 78 miles a day, so it's very doable!

By the way, my wife rides an EZ -3.....(Saw your pic). Your riding partner looks pretty comfortable on it!

I think your bike will do you fine, by the way, don't sweat it and enjoy the ride!

This is from a Clyde who rides long distance, by the way...........

We got the EZ-3 for my wife, thinking that it would help with some of her health problems.
Not riding it enough to get the benefit, but we're working on it.

I think I am far enough along in my training to not die in the effort.
Now I just need to get to the point of not embarasing myself. :)

Thanks for the encouragement.

Randy
www.aidslifecylce.org/1562

Well I just joined today and am happy to know there are others out there like me, I am 6'2" and 270. I have done a few triathalons and some commuting to work, my wife is a semi serious tri-athelete and most of the guys I see riding aren't much bigger than one of my legs. I took a stressful job and over the last 3 years gained 50 lbs. Quit that job in november and have been trying to get back on the bike, I was commuting to that job on the bike occasionally. I currently own and ride a Merlin Extralight, great bike I actually called Merlin before I bought it to make sure my size didn't void the warranty. I am in the market for a Cyclocross bike right now and am looking at the Salsa Las Cruces but am open to suggestions.

Buy something made to take weight....Surly LHT or Crosscheck. Or some older lugged steel tour style bike.

See my bikes at http://www.myspace.com/eccentriccyclistcharlie

Down to 212-215. woohoo. Just don't tell my wife. Last time I told her how much I lost, she got mad.
If and or when I get down under 200, I wonder if my friends will think I'm too skinny.

Funny that you're saying that. My racing weight was around 160lbs. At 6'3", that was a bit skinny, especially since most of the weight was in my quads and calves (match sprinter, here).

Of course, now that I'm 240 lbs, my wife says if I lose 40 lbs, that will be TOO much. I've tried to persuade her by mentioning the *ahem* improved endurance, but she hasn't yet been swayed. I think she's afraid that I'm trying to get back to my earlier form, even though at 37, it's pretty darn unlikely.

Any suggestions?

Hi, all!

Figured I better introduce myself in here while I still can. I was at 260 (a high for me) at Thanksgiving last year. Since then, I've given up sugar (primarily from 6-8 sodas a day), started counting calories, and started biking again. I bought a used Trek 1200 in early February and have logged 500 miles on it. The wheels were a little unhappy with me at 230, but seem to be able to cope with 215, as I haven't had to re-true since I got down there. I also ride a Novara mountain bike with 26x 1.25 slicks, but I really get off on the speed of the roadie.

When I reach 180 pounds, all signs indicate I'm winning a pretty significant bet at the office (I've got 35 pounds to go, so does my female combatant, but she originally had a 25 pound head start...) The spoils of victory are earmarked for a nice lightweight bike for the new lightweight me.

Funny that you're saying that. My racing weight was around 160lbs. At 6'3", that was a bit skinny, especially since most of the weight was in my quads and calves (match sprinter, here).

Of course, now that I'm 240 lbs, my wife says if I lose 40 lbs, that will be TOO much. I've tried to persuade her by mentioning the *ahem* improved endurance, but she hasn't yet been swayed. I think she's afraid that I'm trying to get back to my earlier form, even though at 37, it's pretty darn unlikely.

Any suggestions?

You a "tree trunk" too? At least that is what some called me. Never raced, but was mostly leg growing up. Time to time there was a gut in there too.

The other day I told my wife where I am at weight wise. I told her how I seemed to have hit a dead end on the loss dept. She used some really nice tact. "Well maybe you just gained a lot of mucle mass since you were last under 200".

Along with watching what I'm eating, I have been watching portion size, cutting back on the Dr. Pepper and Beer. And most of all spending a lot of time on the saddle spinning like crazy. That is how I have gotten to where I am at now.

You a "tree trunk" too? At least that is what some called me. Never raced, but was mostly leg growing up. Time to time there was a gut in there too.

The other day I told my wife where I am at weight wise. I told her how I seemed to have hit a dead end on the loss dept. She used some really nice tact. "Well maybe you just gained a lot of mucle mass since you were last under 200".

Along with watching what I'm eating, I have been watching portion size, cutting back on the Dr. Pepper and Beer. And most of all spending a lot of time on the saddle spinning like crazy. That is how I have gotten to where I am at now.
Good job, Spider! She's tight, by the way, in that it is likely you've packed on some muscle!:D

Funny that you're saying that. My racing weight was around 160lbs. At 6'3", that was a bit skinny, especially since most of the weight was in my quads and calves (match sprinter, here).

Of course, now that I'm 240 lbs, my wife says if I lose 40 lbs, that will be TOO much. I've tried to persuade her by mentioning the *ahem* improved endurance, but she hasn't yet been swayed. I think she's afraid that I'm trying to get back to my earlier form, even though at 37, it's pretty darn unlikely.

Any suggestions?
Just do what you need to to get in the best shape you are able to now. The wife will come around. The main issue is that it's likely that she's a bit afraid you'll outgrow her. Just do what you need to to reassure her and in the meantime,get in shape so you'll be able to stay with her longer, still alive!:D

Hehe...thanks for the encouragement, Tom.

Hey y'all. Long time lurker, just decided to join today after looking in the mirror and trying to figure out which one was my real chin. 6'1". 246 lbs. started commuting by bike last summer - 7 miles one way - but new job, new baby and frigid midwestern winter all combined to make me wuss out. Other than the bike commuting I have been doing no riding - no long rides, no races, nothing like that. I am hoping to drop some weight and eventually get down below 200. Initial goal? I guess I'll try sub 230 on for size. Thanks for being here and for all your previous posts! They lift up more people than you know!

Thought I should probably say hello as well. I've been rattling arround in here and on the mechanics forum, thought I should say hi. Started cycling last summer to lose weight, 6 weeks and 15lbs later I fell and dislocated my patela was off the bike for 6 weeks by doctors orders, then had my bike stolen. But I'm ridding hard again. Goal this year is 2000 miles, I'll track the weight as it comes off, but the mileage, thats something easier for me to see.

Cheers,
Paul

Well, I found my group!:) 6'3" and 260. I live in a very bike un-freindly town. Even folks around here who are experienced cyclists take to the sidewalks. I rode a cruiser as a teen. Bought a mountain/street hybrid from Wally-world that I rode in college. Right now I ride a clunker from heck. A roadmaster "mountain bike" :roflmao: from Walmart. I ended up with it a couple years ago. Rode it for a summer before I bent the crank hauling it to a campsite. This month I ordered a Bulletproof one piece crank and got back on the road. (I wouldn't insult the site by posting a pic of it.) My work keeps me seated a lot and, heck, I love food, so I'm hoping to lose some excess poundage riding. Also have a 6 and 3 year old, so my time's limited.

I have a question. What makes a good bike for a Clydesdale? I don't race nor do I trail ride, and my butt likes cushion, (My current saddle is a torture device, I hate to spend more cash on the clunk, but its got to go!) and I usually town ride (sidewalks and sidestreets). I'm also 35 and, while I don't feel the need to look like an X-games wannabe kid, I don't want to look old on a bike! Any suggestions in the $300-500 range? Oh yeah, another problem. Around here, you're choice are the big box stores (gag) and the bike shops who seem intent on catering to only the super high end crowd.

Glad to have found the site though! Ride on!

Well, I found my group!:) 6'3" and 260. I live in a very bike un-freindly town. Even folks around here who are experienced cyclists take to the sidewalks. I rode a cruiser as a teen. Bought a mountain/street hybrid from Wally-world that I rode in college. Right now I ride a clunker from heck. A roadmaster "mountain bike" :roflmao: from Walmart. I ended up with it a couple years ago. Rode it for a summer before I bent the crank hauling it to a campsite. This month I ordered a Bulletproof one piece crank and got back on the road. (I wouldn't insult the site by posting a pic of it.) My work keeps me seated a lot and, heck, I love food, so I'm hoping to lose some excess poundage riding. Also have a 6 and 3 year old, so my time's limited.

I have a question. What makes a good bike for a Clydesdale? I don't race nor do I trail ride, and my butt likes cushion, (My current saddle is a torture device, I hate to spend more cash on the clunk, but its got to go!) and I usually town ride (sidewalks and sidestreets). I'm also 35 and, while I don't feel the need to look like an X-games wannabe kid, I don't want to look old on a bike! Any suggestions in the $300-500 range? Oh yeah, another problem. Around here, you're choice are the big box stores (gag) and the bike shops who seem intent on catering to only the super high end crowd.

Glad to have found the site though! Ride on!
Ebay? Craig's List? You can get some sweet deals!

Here's my Clyde Rides, from the Walmart level bike and better....
Cheap Royce Union, from sometime in the late 90's
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/BanjoBrothers001.jpg

Raleigh Pursuit, 1988 (Road Racing and trainer bike)
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/COPY_RALEIGH.jpg

Schwinn Passage, 1986 (Touring and my favorite bike)
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/NewSaddle002-1.jpg

I have less than $300.00 wrapped up in all my bikes combined, by the way and have scored them from yard sales, thrift stores and the Schwinn was tucked back by my LBS for me.;)

225lbs and 6"7'.

Yeah but what kind. Like I said, I currently have a torture saddle, I had thought about a comfort bike. I like the look of you blue Schwinn, is something like that comfortable for long rides? Can it handle grass and light gravel roads? Or am I better off looking into the light duty city mountain bikes with smooth riding tires?

Yeah but what kind. Like I said, I currently have a torture saddle, I had thought about a comfort bike. I like the look of you blue Schwinn, is something like that comfortable for long rides? Can it handle grass and light gravel roads? Or am I better off looking into the light duty city mountain bikes with smooth riding tires?
I love that Schwinn of mine.....

Thus far the furthest in one day I've ridden that particular bike is 109 miles. I've ridden it in various conditions from pavement to dirt pack, but it's primarily a touring bike. Stretched out relaxed geometry and designed for long hours in the saddle!:D

By the way, the saddle on my Schwinn is a generic market clone of a Brooks Comquest. It's one of those cheapie but goodie saddles you occasionally run across and has stood up to my lard butt just fine! The springs absorb a lot of the road rumble and it's just the right width for my "sit" bones and doesn't restrict the circulation to my legs!

49 Year old, 5'11", 254 lbs ... my rides are a CF Specialized Rubaix, an Aluminium Specialized Sequoia ... and I have a custom steel bike currently being made by Carl Strong. I started riding two years ago ... and fairly seriously last year ... serious in that I rode 2,000 miles in 2006. I don't race, I can't climb worth a darn, but man can I go down a hill.

I'm going for 3,000 miles in 2007 and have set a modest weight loss goal of 15 pounds. I've found the most fun riding is with a group. There's a "non-racing" cycling club in town ... some fairly serious riders, but you can choose whether you want to ride with slow, medium, or fast group.

Thanks Tom, I'll look into it. Tourers are easy to find secondhand for a decent price. I was just afraid a. they were uncomfortable, and b. they wouldn't stand a lot of wieght. I love the style and at 6'3" with plenty of leg its hard to find a bike that is "too tall".

Thanks Tom, I'll look into it. Tourers are easy to find secondhand for a decent price. I was just afraid a. they were uncomfortable, and b. they wouldn't stand a lot of wieght. I love the style and at 6'3" with plenty of leg its hard to find a bike that is "too tall".
Shoot, a true touring bike is designed to ride across the country with a full gear load and they are actually a bit siff unless they have some weight on them and they come with bombproof wheels as well! My Schwinn has 40 spoke rear and 36 spoke up front!:D The saddle is aftermarket, of course.......you can't beat a good leather saddle!;)

well I am still around and am down to 215-220 depends one what I ate the night before ;) riding all the time non stop and car free

my wife likes that she can see my hips again and that my tool shed has shrunk darn beer wish I knew how to quit you

I don't want to admit it, but I am a Clyde too. I did manage to loose some weight (30lbs) a while ago, but the lack of a long commute and a van to drive in the winter, I'm at a comfortable 250, comfortable 'cept when I take off my clothing and look in a mirror, ugh. I have gotten back to riding, have a five mile commute (one way), and quit a desk job to work a sales floor. I've gotten back into reading my food labels, and work at eating low/no fat. Getting back on the bike is tough, I'm a little out of shape, and at 48 it is tough to get through the early pain of getting in shape. I would like to see 190 again. So, I'll be checking in more often for the support, I do get it from my co-workers, they are all 20 something and look at this old guy who rides in the cold as some what of a nut, and humor me. They are impressed when I roll in on the Bianchi Pista, without the brakes.

I'm a little out of shape, and at 48 it is tough to get through the early pain of getting in shape. I would like to see 190 again. So, I'll be checking in more often for the support, I do get it from my co-workers, they are all 20 something and look at this old guy who rides in the cold as some what of a nut, and humor me. They are impressed when I roll in on the Bianchi Pista, without the brakes.

Well, I am 67 yo, and I am 217lbs. I hate to tell you, but 48yo is young, and you are NOT an old guy, and the "pain" of getting in shape is nothing compared to the pain of not being in shape. I did 28 miles in heavy wind today while getting "in shape" for the riding season, my longest ride yet since the snows have melted. And, I was riding with a guy in his 70's who shows me up all the time!

Drop by the 50+ forum for lots of folks getting in shape and staying young after 50.

And 67yo isn't an "old guy" either! It's all in your mind.

I endure the pain of getting in shape so I can reach my 70s and beyond. What I am finding is I tend to have the mind set of a 20/30yo and think I can do what they can do without stretching, without consequences, and it just isn't so. I can't imagine what you would do on the flat land DnvrFox.

I endure the pain of getting in shape so I can reach my 70s and beyond. What I am finding is I tend to have the mind set of a 20/30yo and think I can do what they can do without stretching, without consequences, and it just isn't so. I can't imagine what you would do on the flat land DnvrFox.

Well, the big secret is, Eastern Colorado is flat as a pancake! I only went up about 400 feet (from 5,800 to 6,200 feet) in the 14 miles going out - but the wind was in my face a consistent 20-25 mph at the same time!

I know you were kidding and joking, but I do get frustrated when I start seeing folks calling themselves "old guys," no matter what their age. Firstly, that represents an atitude of defeat, and perhaps excuses. Secondly, hey if someone is old at 48, what the heck does that make me, at 67?:D It could make me feel as if I should totally give up (but it doesn't, really!).

It is not only the aerobics of bicycling that is important. It is also, as you suggested, important to do stretching, but even more important are resistance exercises. I do a whole series of resistance exercises regularly, and have an entire gym in the basement. I even set goals for myself - right now I am increasing my bench press from 200 pounds to 225 pounds. Why is this important? 1. You lose about 10% of your strength every decade as you grow older, and this is entirely preventable. 2. Osteoporosis is the bane of bicyclers - good resistance training with heavy weights is a preventer of osteoporosis. 3. I like looking good.

I recently had a heart check using a portable sonogram. The cardiologist told me that he could hardly see the heart because of the mass of muscle in my chest, and kiddingly told me I was "too buff." I can think of worse things!

Most of my 217 pounds is muscle, but I admit to about 10-15 pounds of winter (and perhaps even last summer) fat that really needs to come off!

Here is my home basement gym. I use it daily:

Good luck to you, "Young Guy!"

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/wtroom2.JPG

Dang, Denverfox, I want your gym!:D

Well, the big secret is, Eastern Colorado is flat as a pancake! I only went up about 400 feet (from 5,800 to 6,200 feet) in the 14 miles going out - but the wind was in my face a consistent 20-25 mph at the same time!

I know you were kidding and joking, but I do get frustrated when I start seeing folks calling themselves "old guys," no matter what their age. Firstly, that represents an atitude of defeat, and perhaps excuses. Secondly, hey if someone is old at 48, what the heck does that make me, at 67?:D It could make me feel as if I should totally give up (but it doesn't, really!).

It is not only the aerobics of bicycling that is important. It is also, as you suggested, important to do stretching, but even more important are resistance exercises. I do a whole series of resistance exercises regularly, and have an entire gym in the basement. I even set goals for myself - right now I am increasing my bench press from 200 pounds to 225 pounds. Why is this important? 1. You lose about 10% of your strength every year as you grow older, and this is entirely preventable. 2. Osteoporosis is the bane of bicyclers - good resistance training with heavy weights is a preventer of osteoporosis. 3. I like looking good.

I recently had a heart check using a portable sonogram. The cardiologist told me that he could hardly see the heart because of the mass of muscle in my chest, and kiddingly told me I was "too buff." I can think of worse things!

Most of my 217 pounds is muscle, but I admit to about 10-15 pounds of winter (and perhaps even last summer) fat that really needs to come off!

Here is my home basement gym. I use it daily:

Good luck to you, "Young Guy!"

http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/wtroom2.JPG

Dang, Denverfox, I want your gym!:D

Your not the only one, heck I would like to have that much spare space, an extra training bike, and a few freeweights and maybe a bowflex, and I likely wouldn't be a clyde. Problem around here, is that I don't have the space.