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

Just joined the forums a couple of days ago, thought I should make my introductions here. 6'2" 235lbs. I've been amazingly lucky about not breaking most of my equipment although I've done in my fair share of frames. Just bought an IRO Mark V for my commuter which is the bike I ride the most. Used to mountain bike quite a bit (2000 Cannondale Jekyll 3000) but since I moved to Boston in 2000 I haven't done so much of that. I have a mental twitch about driving places to ride my bike.

I'm 5'6" 240ish pounds *lower end of the ish* I started biking to try to start lessening my dependence on my car, the lease is up next year and I'm hoping to stop using it all together soon. I'm an Athena, and married to a non Clydesdale... lol I just got my bike and he's gotten interested in it now too, so by spring he'll be out cycling with me. I ride a 06 Fuji Nevada 4.0 MTB Hardtail. I hope to get a road bike or a hybrid once I'm down a bit.

Hey Everyone, glad to be back online. Had a long summer, went through two knee surgeries, had scopes on both.. Now that im back to work and everything the wife had to have her right knee scoped. Our riding has been nill. Now that winter is coming i doubt i will be riding outside much so its back to the gym and the stationary bikes. welcome to the new members. Tom how did that trip you went on turn out? let me know thanks Peabob.

I should have stopped here to introduce myself. Nice to see others like myself out there. Not alot of Clydes in my areas of commuting and general screwing around...
Started out at 330, currently about 290. Started up again in August of this year. Currently putting in about 100 miles a week commuting and fun rolling. Plan on a winter Centruy, not sure Imperial or Metric yet. Depends on weather.
Currently running an 07 Yukon with drop bars, 80' Panasonic DX-2000 (WooHoo for $50 dollar bikes! A skip save I'll have to post else wheres...) and a 77' Schwinn Speedster undergoing a switch to 26" wheels and an 7 speed internal hub. Its what I started out on this summer and I'm really attached to it...

And yes, I already blew out the rear hub on the MTB. What a nightmare that turned out to be! A month without the MTB....

Anyway, nice stories and gives me hope daily that I WILL reach my goals.


Tom~ Thanks for moderating and showing just what someone is capable of doing with determination and perseverance.



Since August I've put on a bit over 1000 miles. Looking to best that up to 3-5000 next year. Parked the car and I've been grinning like a 7 year old ever since...

That's a great story. It's easier to keep that kind of thing going if both spouses take part. As long as it does not become too much of a competition. Best of luck!


Whoops, been here since June 2007 and forgot to introduce myself. My name is Mark, I go by the nickname of Trolley guy because I drive the vintage trolleys on McKinney Avenue in Dallas TX.

I began reading this forum after reading that bicycling was a great form of exercise (which I already knew), and that an hour of biking could equal 500 or more calories. I had ridden a Schwinn Super Sport in the very early 70's and had used it to go everywhere. Well, life, marriage, career, etc managed to get in the way and I eventually worked my way up from 155 to 273. After a second heart attack and subsequent quadruple bypass surgery, something had to change. I had dropped to about 260 but wasn't getting any further with it. I was beginning to have chest tightness AGAIN and realized that If I don't do something NOW, there won't be a later. I had thought of swimming since I had gotten a scholarship for it in college, but even here in Dallas, the options for lap swimming year round were limited or very expensive.

I then went over to an LBS and test rode a Trek 7100. The salesman teased me about the 11 year old boy look that had spread over my face. I knew what I was going to do. I started saving up to buy a bike, but something always came along that required the funds. Then my wife suggested we look at a pawn shop. We went there and I found mostly old dirty xmart junkers. But one was clean. It was a Mongoose Sahara hybrid that looked like it had never been ridden, ie. the tires still had those rubber things that stick out. My wife talked the guy down to $100 and it was mine.
I started out slow, but my endurance rapidly increased. Most surprising was the way I felt. I felt like I was in my 20's instead of 53, rolling back the clock! No more chest tightness, pulse of about 50-55 per minute and endurance like I didn't think possible. I'm seriously hooked on this stuff now. Saved up and got a Trek 1000 Discovery road bike and even got my wife a Specialized Expedition since she has shown an interest. Now she is working up her endurance on our stationary bike and doing short rides with me.

Sorry about the length of this, but I wanted to express my gratitude for this forum and for the difference bike riding is making in my life.

Mark Whigham

6'0 at 207.. im a bodybuilder, pretty lean fat wise but too heavy. Im trying to lose some muscle slowly and get to a better riding weight. I really enjoy riding for the mental side and I just did my first century at El tour de Tucson. It was a blast but pretty agonizing towards the end in honesty.. cant wait to do it again.. :D

I'll bite. 5'10" 242 Got back on a bike in July at 265. 200lb goal weight should hit it on or around April 15th 2008. At that time I'll get to start riding an Eriksen that fits me properly. Bikes designed for people with 30 inch inseams generally don't fit 5'10" people particulalry well. Currently logging miles on a Tacx vr trainer to keep the boredom from killing me. Snow in the ground here means I don't play outside on the bikes.

Me and Son
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p180/75cj/IMG_0162-1.jpg
Thats me at 250 and thats a gift of a 3XL Hincapie jersey. It wasn't supposed to be a"goal" jersey but it ended up that way. I dunlop over at bit less these days but not lots. YET

Bike
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p180/75cj/Bikes_001_5.jpg

I'm new to this forum as well. I'm 6'8" and 350lbs. Keep working! We'll get there.

Hey all, I just noticed this thread (I know!)

Ok so then off I go...

My Name is Grayson I currenrtly weight 220 LBS. I am 16 (yes I know I am overweight) anyways. Two years ago I broke my ankle and I was held up for a long time, couldn't go to school (long story short the doc wanted me to get a tutor so I did). So that held me up for a long time. Then last year I did some damage to my knee and this caused a lot of issues since it was the same leg. So I didn't do much for two whole years and gained a lot of weight in the process. Now I am 16 and I am finally able to get back into biking, earlier this year I got a new road bike a LeMond Etape 2006 version. It's a great bike and I have put probably 400 miles on it I am guess (I have no cyclocomputer). So I have been enjoying that then my back wheel died on me (it cracked big time and I broke about 3 spokes) and I was 45 miles from home so I had to explain to my mom where I was and how she could get there....that was back around July. So I haven't been on the bike since. The LBS won't fix my wheels and I can't get them to send them back to LeMond....and I have had no luck with LeMond...

Next month I am finally getting new wheels and a bunch of new bike stuff...(been saving up for it!)

SO on that note (I hope you are all awake after this boring intro of mine).

I can't wait to get back onto the bike!

My goal weight is 185 for right now, once I hit that I will see whats up!

Yep thats me!

pic of my bike (not my pic)

http://2006.lemondbikes.com/images/2006_bikes/medium/etape.jpg

Hey guys; I didn't realize this was a catagory! I started riding in April of '07 because of a D.U.I. and at the time weighed between 255-260 (depending on the number of beers the night before) and rode a pawn shop mountain bike 30 miles a day, 6 days a week commuting to work until it was stolen 2 months ago. I'm now down to 190ish (I'm 5' 10", by the way) and now have an older Schwinn LeTour and can't believe how much farther and faster I can ride! If you're in this to get in shape, just stick with it. I went to my folks' place for Thanksgiving and they couldn't believe how much more fit I was.

Good luck everybody!

Welcome to Clyde's, Panama! Sorry to hear HOW you came to cycling, but it seems to have worked out well. :D

6'3" currently 240# (but it's dropping, already down 15#)

This is my favorite ride...

Welcome to all the new members. We are a pretty informal bunch so jump it when you feel like it.

Today I participated in my first team triathlon, and held down the biker leg for our team. I was standing there feeling very embarrassed with my $30 dollar garage sale bike, wearing sweat pants, and pants tucked into my socks. I intentionally moved to the very end so that I wouldn't interfere with anyone. When it was all done, not only did I finish, but I landed up in the middle. This was a fun fling, but to me it meant the world.


Although I haven't posted before, I can't tell you all how much this 5'10” 235lb (down from 260lb) guy from Eagle River, Alaska appreciates you all! Your words of encouragement and the kindness you show members is really changing peoples lives. From the bottom of my heart, my wife and 3 kids, we all THANK YOU!

You're very welcome - that's what this is all about! Come in and say hi more often :)

Congrats. There's lots of good riding in and around Eagle River. I logged quite a few miles one summer between Eagle River and Anchorage.

Keep it up.

5ft 8 and 200lbs .... trying to get unfat... so riding recreationally to get fitter and trim

my cycling buddies are all between 150 and 175lbs and seem to pick very hilly rides every week - funny that (NOT)

My Trek 2000 Double rides nicely except for the damn wheels ... Bontrager Race (should be called Bontrager Flex)

Wobble on guys ...
Tony

(from Manchester, England)

Thought I should join in on these forums and introduce myself after many weeks of digging around this site!
I would like to think that I have ‘DENSE bones’, but really I am an 218lb, 5ft 2in, 48 year old Clydesdale needing a lot of work.......that’s what my Athena wife just told me, while we sit on the couch!
Sorry, but she does not feel like me, in sharing her thoughts on this forum and read the above line.

Like most, I rode a bike when at school and then stopped …….( did dig out my old bike and rode the London to Brighton charity ride in my early twenties, just over 50 miles) , really enjoyed that day and now wonder why I stopped riding.

So now I know it is time for me to get back into shape after adding approx. 65lbs of good American eating and portion size, since coming to the USA back in 1989.
Jumped in and bought myself a Giant OCR1 ( on sale) and also a Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer, couple pair of padded shorts and cycling shoes.
I have ridden this combo for only 30 minutes at a time and heart rate around 140-155, looking to ride every other day and steadily build my fitness and time.
Snowing, cold and dark here in Michigan right now, so I am indoors for a while.
Want to ride a few charity rides, maybe a time trial next year and look foreword to meeting some good people thru cycling!
Well enough rambling for now, going to England for Christmas to see ‘my old mum’ in a couple of days and will be back in two weeks……all the best for your Christmas and talk in the new year.
Any comments welcome
Regards Steve

Welcome to Clyde's, Steve!

If you are interested in a great ride, see my sig!

I am an HVAC (heating and cooling) instructor. I now commute 10 miles each way four days a week. I have ridden to work off and on for the last 2.5 years, but this fall started commuting all the time. I keep adding clothing and accessories (nokian studded tires) as needed. Dressing for single digit temps is tricky!

I am 5' 11" and started at 236 lbs this fall (I put some on last summer...). I am now at 224, and hope to be at 190-195 by next spring. That is about my ideal weight. I'm not really dieting, just being careful about what I eat. I do let go a little once in awhile (holidays).

I spend alot of time in the commuting section, but pop in here too.

I hope to get back into racing next summer. Have not raced since 1988 :D.

6' 2" 250 lbs. Down from 300 thanks to the bicycles.

Electra Cruiser 7
Trek FX7.5
Novara Fusion

Although I stand 6' 2" I only have a 30" inseam. I'm all torso thanks to an extra vertebra, ( I never can keep my shirts tucked in ) This presents a problem with stock bikes as I can't ride a large frame because of the standover height but end up being crunched into the bars by the short top tube that comes with the small standover.

http://web.mac.com/mdavison1/bike/Blank_files/cruiser.jpg
http://web.mac.com/mdavison1/bike/Blank_files/tatonka.jpg
http://web.mac.com/mdavison1/bike/Blank_files/red.jpg
http://web.mac.com/mdavison1/bike/Blank_files/me-n-tatonka.jpg

Thought I should join in on these forums and introduce myself after many weeks of digging around this site!
I would like to think that I have ‘DENSE bones’, but really I am an 218lb, 5ft 2in, 48 year old Clydesdale needing a lot of work.......that’s what my Athena wife just told me, while we sit on the couch!
Sorry, but she does not feel like me, in sharing her thoughts on this forum and read the above line.

Like most, I rode a bike when at school and then stopped …….( did dig out my old bike and rode the London to Brighton charity ride in my early twenties, just over 50 miles) , really enjoyed that day and now wonder why I stopped riding.

So now I know it is time for me to get back into shape after adding approx. 65lbs of good American eating and portion size, since coming to the USA back in 1989.
Jumped in and bought myself a Giant OCR1 ( on sale) and also a Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer, couple pair of padded shorts and cycling shoes.
I have ridden this combo for only 30 minutes at a time and heart rate around 140-155, looking to ride every other day and steadily build my fitness and time.
Snowing, cold and dark here in Michigan right now, so I am indoors for a while.
Want to ride a few charity rides, maybe a time trial next year and look foreword to meeting some good people thru cycling!
Well enough rambling for now, going to England for Christmas to see ‘my old mum’ in a couple of days and will be back in two weeks……all the best for your Christmas and talk in the new year.
Any comments welcome
Regards Steve


Steve you should try riding with a lower heart rate for longer periods to burn fat. Try to keep your heart rate around 125-135 or so. Get a good training book or a coach or physician with a sports medicine background and get your heart rate in the proper zone to burn fat. I made this same mistake for about a year and found I was burning carbs on 45 minute rides and finally decided to slow down the intensity and do it more often and for longer times. The "talk test" is a good measure........if you can carry on a conversation while riding without stopping to take a deep breath every other word or two then you are riding in the right zone. Its kind of like a good paced walk rather than a sprint or a jog.
Weight lifting will also help you lose weight faster since growing muscle burns fat while you are at a rest, even when sleeping. good luck I'm doing the same thing trying to get back to a lean mean love machine! :D

Hi All, I'm 6'0 and usually between 200 and 205, but due to my condition called holiday on-going glutony, better known has HOG I have been between 205 and 210. I'm really hoping to get down around 190 this summer if possible. I have a Giant Iguana Mtn. Bike since around 95, and a Cannondale H700 hybrid since 97. I am in the market for a road bike and hope to have one next week sometime. I sort of got out of biking for about 5 years and just started back last August. I have met some roadies who have taken me in, and I have enjoyed it very much. Hoping to do my first century this year. I have ridden many 50 milers but have never done more. When I get this road bike I will be interested to see how I feel after 50 miles. I will post pics later.
Tom, thanks for your efforts, and everyone, have a Very Merry Christmas!

Welcome aboard! :D Glad to see we got that little issue worked out :D

I'm a Clydesdale.
I probably have the most to be ashamed of. In a previous lifetime, around the 1980s anyway, I carried a USCF Category 2 racing license. Then, at 6'1" and 175 lbs. I commuted 25+ miles to work (one-way) everyday, a commute that lost ~1000' elevation going in, and gained it back on the return. I won medals and trophies and primes and hill climbs. I trained and raced with some of the then biggest names in not only American amateur racing, but also rubbed shoulders (and elbows) with some noteworthy international pros.

But I rarely had any money in my pocket (forget a savings acoount!) and finally I came to a point where I knew I wasn't of the "Elite" class, and getting a bit burnt out, and tired of being so damn poor. So I turned a page and decided it was time to go back to school for the degree I'd put off and start building some security (and maybe somewhere down the line, a family).

20+ years later, with a beautiful wife and daughter, a home in the country, still no degree (oh well), but a comfortable career, some bad personal habits (cough) and many false starts on the bike past, I find my weight blossomed to 266.

Yikes!

But that was June of this year during a much overdue physical. It was also on the eve of our relocating back to the countryside I originally trained and raced in. The past 17 years have been spent in a place that proved to be lucrative, but hostile to cyclists (any Long Islanders here?) My goal of returning has been realized.

And so has my dream of returning to the bike. I'm now under 230 lbs. and approaching 225. I live in a very hilly area and ride an 18.58 mile loop (with 1200+ feet of climbing) several times a week. That's actually tapered off somewhat since the weather's gone south, but having trained in these conditions before, venturing out isn't the scary ordeal it may be for novices; I know how to dress for it, anyway. As the weather warms I expect to expand my riding and have even signed on to a Masters team for some possible competition (TT's only, thanks.).

What a great discovery tho to find this forum where I can see that I'm not the only one wondering what these skinny-tired bikes will withstand!

Ride on!

Chuck6421

Been lurking for a few months and decided it's past time to introduce myself. I'm a South Bay (Saratoga, CA) Clyde who is just getting back into cycling again after about 18 years away from it. Raising kids, work and discovering the decidedly non-aerobic pleasures of golf (not always in that order) were my excuses for getting away from riding. After hitting age 50 this year and realizing I needed to shed these extra 70-80 pounds that snuck on while I wasn't looking, I'm back on the bike and riding my way back into shape.

I started by cleaning up my old Raleigh Technium Mtn. Bike (vintage 1987) and spent a couple of months tooling around the neighborhood - long enough to realize how much I missed riding my old road bike. So I picked up a used 2005 Trek Pilot 2.1 (blue, it has to be blue) in September and have been adding miles weekly ever since. Was at 290 on June 1, now at 263 and shooting for 230 by July 1.

The Clyde/Athenas and the 50+ forums have been great resources and its reassuring to know that there are a lot of us "power-riders" ;) out there.

Welcome aboard, both of ya!

Wow, I stumbled across this forum this morning and have dipped in and out all day. The stories on here are really inspiring. I have really dropped out of shape and have next to no fitness. I spent this morning adding guards and a rack to my new mount (Merida T1). I will be restarting the commuting on Wednesday first day back to work. My stats.... 5' 8" and about 120kg. I started commuting in October but work went manic for a month or so and I dropped out of it.... but after reading this thread i am going to get back on the bike and go for it. I have also set up a trainer in the garage so hopefully will be good to go. I will post pictures when i can get some done...

cheers
Rich

Welcome Rich! Glad to have you! Grab a cuppa joe and settle in!:D

Where are you from, by the way?

Leicestershire, UK

I'll add you to the map!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=105374200934230528379.00043a240e612d5cba3c4&ll=52.978416,-1.131592&spn=0.628431,1.845703&z=9&om=1

Tom,Map me. Spring Lake, MI 49456

OK, I've always considered 200+ to be a temporary condition like the flu or something, but considering that I haven't seen sub-200 since the new millenium, it's time to fess up. :)

Reading through the Clydesdale thread I came to the realization that I was not alone...

Last May I had a kidney infection and went to the Dr. In the course of the blood work I had a blood sugar level of 228, pretty high when they consider a level of 140 2 hours after meals the high normal. Two weeks later I went in for followup and fasting blood glucose was 135, high again when 110 fasting is normal. The Dr. starts writing prescriptions and I walk out being told that I have type II diabetes, my weight was too high (at 6'4" and 324 that was not a surprise). After discussing the prescriptions with the local pharmacist I decided that perhaps I should look at another path.

After hours of research I came upon an US Air Forces program for pilots in the 130 blood glucose levels that specified diet and exercise. The diet was easy. low carbs lots of protein and suppliments. Exercise was a little tougher since it specified 1 hour per day.

I decided to get back on a bike. Started off with a stationary bike that I got at a 2nd hand shop and after a month (and 15 lbs. weight loss) l moved onto a Schwinn MTB from K-mart. Since I had been doing 45 to 60 minutes on the stationary I found out that I could do 7 to 8 miles right out of the gate. Only problem was the stock seat was not designed for my butt.

I got a new seat, fenders, rack, pannier, lights, and pump and July 5th started commuting 14 miles to work 5 days a week. Rain or shine, hot or cold I am out there.

I broke about half of the spokes on the rear wheel, it's a 36 spoke wheel, and decided to replace the stock rims with a little heavier rims and new spokes. Spoke problem gone. I

I'm currently at 250 lbs. That's 74 lbs. in 7 months. Not bad, eh? I've set my goal at 197 lbs. (I haven't been at that weight since college 30 years ago) when I get there I'm buying a true road bike. Until then I bought a '94 Trek 700 multitrak to restore. It rides nice (well, it did...it's in pieces in the garage, stripped and primed for new paint) and is faster and lighter than the MTB, but still strong and has 36 spoke wheels.

As far as health, my blood glucose is averaging low 90's, my blood pressure is 120's over low 80's, my triglicerides are 40's (that's right! 40's) and my cholesterol dropped 70 points to 204. The Dr. says that I should be at 170 "here take these pills"...not likely, I'll keep up the exercise and diet, thank you very much. I'm not taking any medication other than vitamins.

This spring I plan to ride to in-laws 124 miles away and in the fall to my folks 486 miles away. I'll keep y'all posted on that one.

I am a 240 pound 6'1" guy, I haven't really gotten started riding yet and am really hoping that the pounds will shed to sub-200 once I start commuting 20 miles rt to school and back this spring... I have never been under 200 pounds since I was in 7th grade and I am really looking forward to the new me... I am really hoping that my weight doesn't destroy my bike though b/c I just got a new Carbon Fiber frame/fork and am building it up, I really hope it works out...

6'7" 245

I just gotta say that I ride with a smaller guy and I just feel cheated knowing that he can glide off my slip-stream and enjoy a free ride with me pulling him along... and the climbing is pretty embarrassing considering he climbs like a bat out of hell leaving me in his dust and no chance of competition. I'm only 19 but have only ridden for about 2 years and haven't developed any strengths.. but a few weaknesses. Well.. perfect practice makes perfect.

Hello fellow genetic misfits!! I'm new to the site and have looking at the "alt bike" forum. I'm 43, a large guy, 6'4" and 280 lbs. I ride an Electra Rockabilly Boogie all over town. I'm building a "My Sized Musclebike". I used to ride a Nishiki Colorado. Loved it because it was available with a 23" frame. Hanging in my attic is my old road bike a Schwinn I got in 1989,12 speed, mint green, 27" frame. I got it after I wore out my even older 1978 Ralaigh Record 10 speed, which still hangs in my parents garage next to my mom's 1949 Rudge that I just cleaned up for her to ride.

You can see pics of my current bikes in the alt bike forum. thanks for listening!!

Stop Pulling him on the flats! I don't mean take turns either. I mean let him pull you all the time until the hills. Do your spin routine on the hill then pedal like a bat out of hell on the descents. What you lack in being small can be made up for with perpetual motion.

I too ride with a skinny and I'll ask him to wait for me at the top of the hill, then I pedal up to 25mph and coast then watch him try to spin the 53/11 just to stay somewhere close to me. At 19 I guess there's too much testosterone for you to not push to attack when he's just riding medium strength, but psychological warfare is at least 35% of the game.

The last ride of the season I rode w/ my buddy and we finished fairly evenly. The next day I said I was hurting a little and he said he was fine. A couple days later I met his girlfriend/roommate and said I was hurting after that ride and she let me know he was complaining quite a bit for the next few days after that ride.

You are better than you know, because no-one else will tell you. Spin this winter and ride as much as the weather will allow. Next season try some psychological techniques on your friend and don't let him know how much you've trained over the winter.

6'7" 245

I just gotta say that I ride with a smaller guy and I just feel cheated knowing that he can glide off my slip-stream and enjoy a free ride with me pulling him along... and the climbing is pretty embarrassing considering he climbs like a bat out of hell leaving me in his dust and no chance of competition. I'm only 19 but have only ridden for about 2 years and haven't developed any strengths.. but a few weaknesses. Well.. perfect practice makes perfect.

Hi everyone, I am going to join you for a while, currently at 260#, but working my way to 180.

Hi All:

I am a newbie ... just found this web site and I am enjoying the different threads here ... I am a 59 year old 6'-4" guy who has lost over 140 pounds in the last year and a half ... partly by exercising regularily as well as doing as much long distance biking as possible!! At the age of 57 I felt like an 87 year old man and weighed about 410 lb, at 59 I am 270 lb and feel like I am 39 years old (just like Jack Benny). It has been a great time travel journey.

In the last year I have put over 3000+ miles onto a new 2007 model T-800 Cannondale Touring bike. With one of my neighbors and good friends we did a hundred mile ride from Lakewood to Princeton, NJ and back in about 7-1/2 hours riding time in July this last summer. We regularily go on 40 to 80 mile rides and try for 3 to 5 times per week. Always looking for others to join us if in the NJ area. We have a nice group of 4 to 6 riders that go averaging 15 to 17 mph.

I have arthritis in my knees and biking is the one exercise that I can do with low impact and help build up my strength. I currently have "bike lust" and am looking at the new Cervello R-3 which is some great bike! I am also looking to hear what the others here feel would be good bikes for big guys.

In the winter time I try to get out as long as its 40 deg or above and I do a spin class at Brielle Cyclery on Thursday evenings for 90 minutes to keep it going in the cold weather.

I hope to hear from some of you on suggestions for a sturdy but fast road bike.

Michael Rosen, Lakewood, NJ

Hey everybody, I'll introduce myself as the latest addition to the stables...

I'm 27, 5'8" and probably approaching 260 pounds. I haven't been below 220 since my teen years when I was a college yell leader (girl-thrower). When I was 18 I was 180 and, too poor for a car in college, rode my huffy everywhere. In the intervening years I became an IT guy, started sitting behind a desk eating crap all day, and quickly ballooned to around 250 pounds by age 22. I lived in Scotland from 03 to 06 and went down to 220-ish by being car-free (walking a couple miles a day) and eating a little more sensibly (had it not been for the beer and chip shops, I might have hit 200 again!).

This didn't start as a "New Years Resolution" - but the Christmas money enabled me to pick up a lightly used commuter bike to start working with. It's 5-6 miles into work and I may just begin riding in (it's all uphill home) and taking the bike home. I'm planning on doing my first long-distance ride in the Summer (the Seattle-to-Portland 2-day ride).

I have done the fad dieting thing, I've done the "go to a gym and exercise" thing, and didn't particularly like either of them - and neither were really sustainable for me. I know that I need to watch my portions and all the protein/GI stuff, but I want a "sustainable" exercise option. Waking up early, getting in my car, driving to the gym, showering, coming home in my car and then going to work just doesn't make sense to me. Waking up and riding my bike to work does.

I'm 27, my father is just over 50 and has lost most of one eye to Type 2 diabetes already. I have a 22 month old daughter and want to be able to play and run with her, teach her to love biking and walking and balance in life. Diabetes and heart disease are going to make that difficult.

Look for my pictures in the before and after thread this time next year.

You have the secret.

One must love the physical activities one does or it will never last. Congratulations on trying cycling, and I hope it is the exercise for you. Keep it up and keep us informed.

In the intervening years I became an IT guy, started sitting behind a desk eating crap all day,
I so understand this...

Well I said I would get on the bike last Wednesday, didn't happen -went to the gym instead. Did 3 days in the gym, will be prepping the bike today, so will ride tomorrow - commuting again yeah!!


Rich

I so understand this...

Well I said I would get on the bike last Wednesday, didn't happen -went to the gym instead. Did 3 days in the gym, will be prepping the bike today, so will ride tomorrow - commuting again yeah!!


Rich

It's difficult at times, I know, but you just have to drag yourself onto the bike and get underway. After the first mile or so your muscles start warming up and it feels good. By the time you get to work you feel great.

The worst thing you can do is to give your self reasons to not ride. I know, I've done it. It becomes too easy to skip the next day then too. Now I just get up and go do it. If it's raining I just make up my mind I'm going to be wet. Cold is harder, but if you layer properly it's manageable as well.

You just have to make up your mind to do it!

Keep it up.

I'm not a clydesdale but in the past I was a small clyde. I've been biking off and on since the mid 1970's and had laid off since about 2002. got my current ride the middle of last year and commute daily. Even if you don't loose the weight the mental/emotional/psychological/health aspects are immeasurable. Consider this, what would be worse, not losing the weight or giving up? Personally, I could tolerate not losing the weight but not giving up. BTW, my stats: 55yo (as of December 11) male, 6'00". Was 215lbs, now 150lbs. Hang in there and remember if you spend time thinking about doing something you are not doing it. Or, as the advertisement says, JUST DO IT! Best wishes folks.
Edit: My long term goal: bike from Houston to Seattle. We can ride together then I get there Athanasius.

Hey everybody, I'll introduce myself as the latest addition to the stables...

I'm 27, 5'8" and probably approaching 260 pounds. I haven't been below 220 since my teen years when I was a college yell leader (girl-thrower). When I was 18 I was 180 and, too poor for a car in college, rode my huffy everywhere. In the intervening years I became an IT guy, started sitting behind a desk eating crap all day, and quickly ballooned to around 250 pounds by age 22. I lived in Scotland from 03 to 06 and went down to 220-ish by being car-free (walking a couple miles a day) and eating a little more sensibly (had it not been for the beer and chip shops, I might have hit 200 again!).

This didn't start as a "New Years Resolution" - but the Christmas money enabled me to pick up a lightly used commuter bike to start working with. It's 5-6 miles into work and I may just begin riding in (it's all uphill home) and taking the bike home. I'm planning on doing my first long-distance ride in the Summer (the Seattle-to-Portland 2-day ride).

I have done the fad dieting thing, I've done the "go to a gym and exercise" thing, and didn't particularly like either of them - and neither were really sustainable for me. I know that I need to watch my portions and all the protein/GI stuff, but I want a "sustainable" exercise option. Waking up early, getting in my car, driving to the gym, showering, coming home in my car and then going to work just doesn't make sense to me. Waking up and riding my bike to work does.

I'm 27, my father is just over 50 and has lost most of one eye to Type 2 diabetes already. I have a 22 month old daughter and want to be able to play and run with her, teach her to love biking and walking and balance in life. Diabetes and heart disease are going to make that difficult.

Look for my pictures in the before and after thread this time next year.

I started to trim out some of your post because I thought only the "IT Guy" part applied to me, but so much else there does as well (uh, but not so much the 'girl-thrower' part).

A Large Part of my weight gain was the trade-off I made for the IT industry, and what you say about 'sitting behind a desk and eating crap all day' is a chapter right out of my story. There are plenty in this business who can maintain the healthy lifestyle, but it wasn't easy for me. Living in an area where cycling was a major challenge didn't help either, altho I'd lost track of the number of times I tried to get it going. Tried a Spinning program and was depressed about the conditions it was held under (in the basement, poor ventilation).

FWIW, the key for me (aside from relocating) was just forgetting about the pressure of health, weight loss, BP, cholesterol, etc, and just getting back on the bike and enjoying the simple act of riding a bicycle. No pressure to train, no structure to discipline myself to. Just pump up the tires and get out there and play. For me, then there was a natural desire to start riding with intention; to start changing my lifestyle to accommodate the exercise, to start riding a couple times a week, to start thinking about getting a bit more serious about it. But first it was about grabbing some personal time for myself and having some fun.

Another thing that motivated me was I sprang for a Garmin Edge 305 which is a great toy, and tool, for tracking my work.

And everything else has fallen into place. I've lost 40 lbs. in 6 months and I like the exercise. Couldn't ask for more!

Chuck

I am 6' 200lbs, down from 290 thanks mostly to biking to work :)
Old ride: Specialized Hard Rock with Michelin city tires (lost first 45 lbs riding that)
Commuter Ride: Scattante R-330 performance hybrid (lost second 45lbs on that one)
New MTB: Trek Fuel Ex-8, which I just got myself as reward for reaching 200lbs weight goal.
Will let you know how that one holds up once it stops raining.

I'm 5'10 and roughly 280/290ish. I started riding fixed gear about a month ago, and don't know how much I've lost, but I had to put a new hole in my belt, and my pants are getting bigger.

Welcome to our new members of the stable :D

Howdy Everyone,

I'm 6'1", 197 pounds as of this morning on my way to a goal of <180 (was up over 200 while I was working two jobs and taking classes -- led to lots of time on my rear in front of a computer, as well as skipping breakfasts and lunches and eating a huge dinner). Needed to learn to eat right, and to exercise right. Although I've tried many times over the years, I just could never get to enjoy jogging. Allow me to rephrase. I HATE jogging.

I picked up a hybrid bike at the beginning of last summer when my fiance talked me into training for a duathlon, and after a few months was enjoying biking enough to talk her into allowing me to go get my first road bike. Still hated the jogging part of the training, but at least it was through the woods instead of on the roads. After the duathlon, I kept on biking, though, finishing my longest ride last year at just about 35 miles.

Found a used Cycleops Fluid I trainer which I set up in the basement during the Christmas holiday, along with a Spinervals tape to help me get ready for when the snow clears. Goal for this summer -- to ride a century and continue to trim down. The added challenge -- my fiance wants to do the Tour de Cure, and thought it'd be neat if I could do my century at that time, with her doing a much smaller portion of the event. That's a lot of mileage to build up to between now and then (June 8), so my weekly regimen has been:

Sunday elliptical
Monday bike trainer
Tuesday weights
Wednesday bike trainer (easy)
Thursday elliptical, volleyball league night
Friday bike trainer
Saturday weights

Hoping that at least gives me a head start so I can get out on the road when the weather breaks. Just ordered a pair of thermal biking drawers, jacket, and gloves so I can attempt my first cold-weather rides when the roads clear a bit more.
Already I'm finding myself more energized when I exercise in the evenings.

Biggest challenge so far has been not letting work, classes, or the dreaded "honey-do" list interfere with the routine. Gotta prioritize -- spackling the laundry room can wait a couple days -- getting healthy can't.



Long-Term Goal: ~ 200 miles from my house to my parents' place.