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

Thanks Dnvrfox, I live just east of Colo Spgs in Falcon.

I was in Calhan Saturday.

Our singing group sang at the gospelfest at the county fairgrounds.

Hi everyone. I suppose I should use the first post to introduce myself. I never heard the term Clydesdale used in this particular way before, but I suppose it's fitting. I am 6'2 and weigh in at 365. Not the heaviest I have ever been, but since I am nearing 40, I need to lose the weight to make sure my 2 daughters have dad around to walk them down the aisle when it's time.

I haven't purchased a bike yet, but it seems that this is the place to get the good reviews of what to get. My wife has already said that we can spend upto around 800 or so for a good bike that will hold me up and take the stress of me riding. So I will pose the question that I am sure every first time poster asks...

What is a good bike to purchase? Also, should I look into purchasing certain tires/wheels or anything else?

Thanks.

Guess I forgot this step. 5'9", 267-270# 35 years old, East Central PA. Just picked up a Trek 7.2 FX last week. Trying to lose weight and get in better shape.

Welcome aboard, Blackwulf and keracer. :D

Blackwulf, take a peek at the Specialized line, in particular, the Hard Rock Sport. Another alternative might be the Kona Hoss. Third, the Surly Crosscheck or Long Haul trucker.

Hello all. I am in Milwaukee and currently am around 210. When my wife was pregnant with our first child this winter, I too put on baby weight and got up to 237. Since April I have been watching what I eat and riding and have lost most of the weight (my wife also has lost the baby weight and is smaller than before she was pregnant). I try to ride about 150-200 miles a week depending on schedules and the baby. Just thought I would stop in and say hello.

Hello fellow C&A's. Not my first post either! 5'7" - 255lbs - Giant Cypress purchased in January from LBS...trying to get back into riding! WOW, who knew it would be so hard?!!

Thought about the Hardrock when I was picking a bike on Wednesday, and in the flesh, aesthetically speaking, I didn't take to it.

Sturdy enough even for my 300+ bod though.

Went for the Giant Escape M3 instead, decent frame, 26" wheels, and it pulled at the heartstrings like no other bike in the shop.

22yrs old, 265Lbs, 6'1".

Just built up/converted a bridgestone to fixed gear. I want to shed the pounds, so i figure one gear + continuous peddling should do the trick. So far I am looking better, but the leg muscles are replacing fat weight.

Just did my first "long ride" this weekend (26 miles). The Brooks saddle was killer for a guy my size.

6'6" 260lbs. I might be the tallest guy in this forum. No bike yet. Looking at a vintage C.C.M. on Craigslist for $185 though.

I got sick and tired of the gas prices, so, a bike is my way of "sticking it to the man".

6'6" 260lbs. I might be the tallest guy in this forum. No bike yet. Looking at a vintage C.C.M. on Craigslist for $185 though.

I got sick and tired of the gas prices, so, a bike is my way of "sticking it to the man".

Not even close to the Tallest, Mazama is 7'

Holy cow. A 7 footer riding a bike? I would think that would be very uncomfortable, unless he bought a bike that was made for a 7' dude.

Still. The best way to keep money in the good ol' U S of A is to stop buying oil from the Arabs, and stickin to good ol' leg power.

Not even close to the Tallest, Mazama is 7'

Also, Barndoor is 6'7".

Yeah, he rides a custom Comotion Mazama. ;) Sweet bike, too. It does kind of look like a road bike on BMX heels, though. ;) Man that frame is big!


Holy cow. A 7 footer riding a bike? I would think that would be very uncomfortable, unless he bought a bike that was made for a 7' dude.

Still. The best way to keep money in the good ol' U S of A is to stop buying oil from the Arabs, and stickin to good ol' leg power.

Holy cow. A 7 footer riding a bike? I would think that would be very uncomfortable, unless he bought a bike that was made for a 7' dude.

Still. The best way to keep money in the good ol' U S of A is to stop buying oil from the Arabs, and stickin to good ol' leg power.

His bike is custom made......

Your right about oil, except that in North America, oil is a big part of the food chain as well, so the cyclist isn't entirely oil free.

Farmer uses tractor (uses oil) to spread petro-chemical based pesticides and fertilizers (made from oil) on fields. This is then picked using oil powered machinery, then placed on trucks, and shipped to processing plants, then is shipped to the shopping centre, where the consumer picks it up, usually by car, and takes it home for consumption. From field to consumer is often an over 8 000km journey by truck or worse plane.

This process is not sustainable..... What is even more dumbfounded is when in July, you go to the grocery store and see California grown strawberries (shipped 12 000 km), when local farmers have them ready for harvest less then a metric century round trip away.

Hi all....

I didn't even know there was a name or category for us 200 pounders until I found this thread! Anyway, I'm 6'1" and about 215, looking to drop to about 190. Just got into cycling, bought one of those Schwinns they sell at Target due to my limited college-student budget, but I plan on taking good care of it and upgrading after I graduate in May 2009. It's tough for me to find places to ride, I live right outside of Philly and I'm not quite comfortable with riding on our congested and hostile streets yet, but anytime I get a free hour or two I go out to Ridley Creek State Park and do the loop there. I always feel great afterwards and I'm looking for more places to ride!

Hi all....

I didn't even know there was a name or category for us 200 pounders until I found this thread! Anyway, I'm 6'1" and about 215, looking to drop to about 190. Just got into cycling, bought one of those Schwinns they sell at Target due to my limited college-student budget, but I plan on taking good care of it and upgrading after I graduate in May 2009. It's tough for me to find places to ride, I live right outside of Philly and I'm not quite comfortable with riding on our congested and hostile streets yet, but anytime I get a free hour or two I go out to Ridley Creek State Park and do the loop there. I always feel great afterwards and I'm looking for more places to ride!

Schuylkill River Trail, running from Monte Clare, Montgomery County, to Philadelphia - 26 miles.
Perkiomen Trail, running from Oaks to Green Lane - 20 miles. Connects to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks, giving you 46 miles of riding.

If you don't mind traveling a bit further, many parts of Chester County have low-traffic roads. East and West Vincent and East and West Pikeland Townships, for instance.

PM me if you'd like to meet for a ride.

Schuylkill River Trail, running from Monte Clare, Montgomery County, to Philadelphia - 26 miles.
Perkiomen Trail, running from Oaks to Green Lane - 20 miles. Connects to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks, giving you 46 miles of riding.

If you don't mind traveling a bit further, many parts of Chester County have low-traffic roads. East and West Vincent and East and West Pikeland Townships, for instance.

PM me if you'd like to meet for a ride.

Thanks for the tips. Looks like Perkiomen and Schuylkill Trails will be best for the months I live in Chestnut Hill (September-May). I just got my bike so once my stamina gets up I'll be up for a good long ride.

Schuylkill River Trail, running from Monte Clare, Montgomery County, to Philadelphia - 26 miles.
Perkiomen Trail, running from Oaks to Green Lane - 20 miles. Connects to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks, giving you 46 miles of riding.

If you don't mind traveling a bit further, many parts of Chester County have low-traffic roads. East and West Vincent and East and West Pikeland Townships, for instance.

PM me if you'd like to meet for a ride.


Hey,I think I did part of that trail with the "Rail Trail folks" Awesome time. Does it run through Jim Thorpe?

So here I am. 6' and was up to 300 lb riding a Giant Cypress. Getting back into eating right and now down to 275. I just upgraded our hybrids to clipless pedals/shoes. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! How did I ever go so long without using them. Climbs are easier and I knocked my average speed up 2 mph.

Hey,I think I did part of that trail with the "Rail Trail folks" Awesome time. Does it run through Jim Thorpe?

That's the Lehigh Gorge Trail.

Clydesdale, huh? I've been called a lot of things...

I'm 6'6" and according to the scales at the Dr.'s office 340 lbs. That, along with not being able to walk upstairs without getting winded has encouraged me to break out my Schwinn Frontier GS (circa 1998) from the garage after eight years of inactivity. It worked OK for me when I was at 250, so I'm hoping it will stay faithful until we get back there again. I changed out the tires to 1.25" Forte FastCity ST/K since I'm mainly riding the neighborhood streets. I really like them...big improvement and a lot less road noise.

Welcome to the herd, wrayln. ;)

HI,
Had to give up the jogging back pain, started riding a mountian bike , like the shocks and easy to bounce over curbs and grass less likely to fall off.
Seem to really enjoy the ride, haven't lost any weight only been ridding a month, ridding 12.5miles daily and further on weekends, have started a good saddlle calous no longer limping I average around 12mph ..
Have a bike pc to track speed and distance some type of cat eye wireless thing keeps me honest..
Ordered some of those crank brother egg beater pedles and good shoes trying to raise the power bar.
I have noticed a real improvement in my legs already, and feel fit. We have some great bike trails in VA Beach .
I weigh 260 most people think I weigh under 200 ooh yea iam 6ft 2in . like a good steer must be marbleing.. hehe
I am also pushing that 58 years young.
Well I guess I am Clysesale for life. although they are fine looking horses if you ask me...
Doug

here's my toy got this in 23 in pretty hard to find large bikes under 500 bucks,
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/images/ghost6500_500.jpg

figured i would finally make a post here

hiya .. i am freddy .. from louisiana ... i am 5'7" 235 and holding steady ... i ride mostly mountain bikes ...

http://www.silenzzzz.net/bike/current_bike.jpg

thats my current bike, a raleigh mojave 8.0 .. changed the tires, pedals, seat and seatpost .. need to change the fork ...

and here is me .. after a 10 mile ride through lincoln parsih park in ruston ...

http://www.silenzzzz.net/bike/me.jpg

Freddie, ya devil! I don't see much mud on ya! If you ain't muddy, you ain't mountain biking. ;)


figured i would finally make a post here

hiya .. i am freddy .. from louisiana ... i am 5'7" 235 and holding steady ... i ride mostly mountain bikes ...

http://www.silenzzzz.net/bike/current_bike.jpg

thats my current bike, a raleigh mojave 8.0 .. changed the tires, pedals, seat and seatpost .. need to change the fork ...

and here is me .. after a 10 mile ride through lincoln parsih park in ruston ...

http://www.silenzzzz.net/bike/me.jpg

Hi all,

Relative newbie here. I am 5'8 and 295 lbs. Mostly flab but I've always been a stocky and muscular guy too. Good genes goes along way when you lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Thankfully, that is changing now that I am riding agin. Bought a Giant Revive over a month ago and love the ride. Looking into getting a Trek Navigator 3.0, FX 7.2, 7100, or something similar. Any suggestions? I want to stick with Trek for the quality and credit basis.

Freddie, ya devil! I don't see much mud on ya! If you ain't muddy, you ain't mountain biking. ;)

haha! ... it was actually dry out there today .. so just had sweat, bugs n dust on me ... must have dumped about a pound of sand out of my shoes after the ride ... no wonder what was slowing me down! :innocent:

Freddie, is that poison oak surrounding your bike? Between the poisonous plants, swarms of mosquitoes, and alligators...I think I'd have to stay home. You got my respect! :)

Freddie, is that poison oak surrounding your bike? Between the poisonous plants, swarms of mosquitoes, and alligators...I think I'd have to stay home. You got my respect! :)

haha! ... well thats got 5 leaves .. so its safe ...

the saying i have always heard is ... 'leaves of 3, let it be' ... poision ivy and oak have 3 leaves ... sumac has about 8+ ...

but either way, ... its an experience riding out there!

Well, I come here today looking for encouragement, for me wife.
She past 300lb a while back, past 250lb so fast I barely blinked, she soon won't be in the heavy class anymore, I ordered her first Pearl Izumis last night, she is riding almost a mile extra every day.
I am so excited, she is a bit worried about loose skin, wished I knew any thing about it.

Well, I come here today looking for encouragement, for me wife.
She past 300lb a while back, past 250lb so fast I barely blinked, she soon won't be in the heavy class anymore, I ordered her first Pearl Izumis last night, she is riding almost a mile extra every day.
I am so excited, she is a bit worried about loose skin, wished I knew any thing about it.

one thing i have found that helps some with the loose skin ... there are some lotions out there that are for after pregnacy, to help with stretched skin and stretch marks ... i have been using that since i started loosing weight ... and so far don't have near the amount of marks as i thought i would have had ... and the skin is still staying 'fairly' tight ... not sagging as much as it did ... i was 281 when i started .. 234 as of today ...

I'm certainly a 'Dale at 6'0" and 255. I go up and down between 230 and 265-sometimes more on each end, depending on my riding. My bike began life as a '97 C'dale H-500 Hybrid. First thing I did was add drop bars and barcon shifters. Then a slightly better crank. Then a rear rack. Next were new wheels (Mavic Open Pros-36 spokes) and 23c tires. I wanted good wheels as I was having to carry a spoke wrench with me for every ride-the wheels would go out of true and rub against the brakes. The latest was a new carbonfiber fork. Etcetera! I went over the bike carefully the other day and realized that the only things original are the frame and seatpost! I have the bike I always wanted but could never afford. So what I have now is basically a light touring bike. I usually do hilly 20-40 mile rides and have a camera or lunch with me. At some point I see myself carrying camping gear around in the trailer that I used to tow my son in. I wish I had the equipment to upload a picture...

I've been lurking here for a couple weeks so thought I should formally add to the Clyde post.

I'm 33 1/2 and a week ago I was 283lbs at 6'2". I have been big/chunky most of my life, except for a few growth years in my late teens. I graduated high school at 180 but was 235 when I got out of college 5 years later. I've slowly put on weight since then, and in the past when I've exercised (i.e. walking a couple miles at lunch), I'd lose 5lbs but gain 10lbs when I stopped.

Over the past year, I started noticing my health degrading FAST. Wiped out from pushmowing the lawn, or an extra flight of stairs, etc. Had a couple of false alarms that ended with me in the doc's office or the ER. (If you ever want instant attention, walk into the ER and say 'I think I'm having chest pain').

So I switched jobs ... blood pressure dropped 20 points (doctor verified) but gained 15lbs since January. Went from an 11 acre building to a small office of 3k feet in an area where it's no fun to walk outside. The stress is lower and I generally feel better but the weight is a constant worry. Have been eating better (no more fast food or soda) and got the weight to stabilize.

On a whim a few weeks ago, I got my old x-mart bike out and pumped up the tires. Mrs. Zoxe and I rode about a mile and almost died from the exertion. :P Have been slowly working up to our current 5.6mi route with the goal of 10mi a night, 5-6d a week.

After trashing the (already pretty tired) x-mart bike within the first week, the wife and I got a pair of Giant bikes ... Cypress DX for me and a Revive DX (pseudo-recumbant) for her. Much more comfortable for both of us, and we doubled our mileage instantly.

Have been noticing the stamina coming up. Tonight I rode up a hill at 12-14mph that a week ago would have kicked my butt. So far we've added ~1mi per week as we're not in a hurry to pack on the miles ... baby steps, as they say.

No huge weight loss yet (this morning I was 277.5) ... I'll "know" when I drop below 275 for the first time in months if this is actually kicking in. But tbh, we started for the fun of it. The weight loss is just a bonus. I think if we focus on the fun part, the weight will come with it ... but not necessarily the other way around (focusing on the weight will not be fun).

In time I'd like to get a sexy road bike and go zoomzoom fast, but for now it's a hybrid and the local subdivisions/bike paths for us. So far, so good.

And by the way, I've been astounded by the "shut up and ride" attitude on this board. The amount of support and lack of biker-snobs is pretty cool.

I've been lurking here for a couple weeks so thought I should formally add to the Clyde post.

I'm 33 1/2 and a week ago I was 283lbs at 6'2". I have been big/chunky most of my life, except for a few growth years in my late teens. I graduated high school at 180 but was 235 when I got out of college 5 years later. I've slowly put on weight since then, and in the past when I've exercised (i.e. walking a couple miles at lunch), I'd lose 5lbs but gain 10lbs when I stopped.

Over the past year, I started noticing my health degrading FAST. Wiped out from pushmowing the lawn, or an extra flight of stairs, etc. Had a couple of false alarms that ended with me in the doc's office or the ER. (If you ever want instant attention, walk into the ER and say 'I think I'm having chest pain').

So I switched jobs ... blood pressure dropped 20 points (doctor verified) but gained 15lbs since January. Went from an 11 acre building to a small office of 3k feet in an area where it's no fun to walk outside. The stress is lower and I generally feel better but the weight is a constant worry. Have been eating better (no more fast food or soda) and got the weight to stabilize.

On a whim a few weeks ago, I got my old x-mart bike out and pumped up the tires. Mrs. Zoxe and I rode about a mile and almost died from the exertion. :P Have been slowly working up to our current 5.6mi route with the goal of 10mi a night, 5-6d a week.

After trashing the (already pretty tired) x-mart bike within the first week, the wife and I got a pair of Giant bikes ... Cypress DX for me and a Revive DX (pseudo-recumbant) for her. Much more comfortable for both of us, and we doubled our mileage instantly.

Have been noticing the stamina coming up. Tonight I rode up a hill at 12-14mph that a week ago would have kicked my butt. So far we've added ~1mi per week as we're not in a hurry to pack on the miles ... baby steps, as they say.

No huge weight loss yet (this morning I was 277.5) ... I'll "know" when I drop below 275 for the first time in months if this is actually kicking in. But tbh, we started for the fun of it. The weight loss is just a bonus. I think if we focus on the fun part, the weight will come with it ... but not necessarily the other way around (focusing on the weight will not be fun).

In time I'd like to get a sexy road bike and go zoomzoom fast, but for now it's a hybrid and the local subdivisions/bike paths for us. So far, so good.

And by the way, I've been astounded by the "shut up and ride" attitude on this board. The amount of support and lack of biker-snobs is pretty cool.

welcome and good job! ... yeah the last comment you made .. is one of the main reasons i finally registered here as well ...

good point to ride for the fun of it .. and let the weightloss be a side affect ... just pay attention to what, and how much you eat .. and everything else will fall in place =)

i just wish i could get the Mrs. to ride with me .. but at least i have my kid that is more then willing to ride. hah!

I did it again!!! I got off my bike in October, gained 50+lbs and I'm trying again!!!
How many Yos to the YoYos? I wish I could maintain!!!

5'8" 265lb

I posted this back in June, and more stuff has gotten in the way. I rode sporadically for a few weeks and then got wrapped back up in some nonesense. Anyhow, I'm back again. I have managed to lose about ten pounds over the past month or so. I'm gonna' try to ride no less than three evenings a week and one weekend morning.

5'8" 256lb - 08/30/08

Well, I come here today looking for encouragement, for me wife.
She past 300lb a while back, past 250lb so fast I barely blinked, she soon won't be in the heavy class anymore, I ordered her first Pearl Izumis last night, she is riding almost a mile extra every day.
I am so excited, she is a bit worried about loose skin, wished I knew any thing about it.

Hey there - so about 20 years ago at age 25 - i droped 100 lbs and kept it off for about 10 years..then it has crept back on - but I am losing again - lost 25.5 lbs so I am on my way.

So when Ilost all that weight - there was alot of losse skin. AFter I kept the weght off a while - I had suregry to remove the skin - back then it was about $10K for an operation to remove skin from my thighs and tighten my stomach. I thought it was well worth it! It helped alot.... I stll am not perfect looking - but I had a lot of excell skin and it was removed.

Perhpas this is not everyone's path - but it could not hurt to see a plastic surgeon perhpas when the time approaches...otherwise - maybe the skin is part of the price we pay - or a reminder of our path.

Howdy.

Current (2008-07-31):
Age 36
Ht 6'
Wt 285

Built more like a powerlifter than Santa Claus. The few times I approached 200lbs as an adult, I was REALLY lean, as in less than 8% bodyfat.

I have started riding to work to ensure I get exercise in, as the addition of a wife, two dogs, and two children the last few years have eaten into workout time. It is 11+ miles/1-1.5hrs one way and I can manage to do it 2-3 times/week depending on other responsibilities.

When I can't ride into work, I miss it.

I bought a Specialized Hard Rock Sport and let my inner Fred run wild:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2670377876_6b8c9ce43f.jpg

6'5" and 215#

Ride an XL Specialized Enduro

Was up around 230 for a few years but learned that when I moderate my food intake with running/biking/hiking as such my weight drops. Calories in = calories out. Also cut out a lot of junk food. Definitely a lifestyle change.

Formal intro, though ive been on BikeForums for sometime.

Did the 4 year thing after HS in 95-Hastings College, dual major Language Art Ed. and Vocal Music Performance. I went three years there, ate too much, got to be about 300 lbs,moved off campus and got depressed, transferred to Dana College after I met (and later married) my wife in 1998, and then my mom was diagnosed with 'kill you' type colon cancer in 2000. She managed to get to a remission, so in 2001 I did what every computer weenie does when they don't have a degree, have a background in Fine Arts, and are working at a WalMart in Gage County with their friends that never left. I lost a lot of weight and I Joined The Army! I figured losing a lot of that weight had to be good for something, right?

That went well for awhile, I had life all planned out for the next 6-8+ (with OCS or Warrant in the future, hopefully) and then a training accident supplied me two cracked lumbars and two ruptured discs with little fragments. Nice. I gained most of my weight back, too. I was on the Army disabled list for 9 months in Virginia while they decided what to do with me, mom's cancer had come back, and my landlord at home was just walking into my house whenever he felt like it with my wife and son there alone. He was kind of a creep, too.

So, FF on to being honorably discharged, working at Tecumseh State Correctional facility because I was too dumb to realize my physical limitations, then directing a security team for Lincoln Composites (govt. contractor) before they became General Dynamics and I lost my job, and then wondering-WTF do I do with my life. Worked at WM again for a bit, and then jumped into ISP/Tech Support at Alltel in 2003 for a year, NE Lottery (System operations) for a year and a half, and now my current employer, a small accounting Software company in Lincoln. I started at Doane College in 2004, figuring my Arts curricula weren't going to impress anyone around here, so I may as well learn something mystical and somewhat lucrative, and graduated in May 08 with a B.S. in Information Systems Management. I currently weigh in with an average of 276 after biking seriously for a month, but having joined up and lurked here for years.

6'1" and about 207 now. Trying to get down to about 190 cause I'm getting tired of these skinny little guys kicking my ass every time we hit a hill.

I might as well add myseld to the introductions here. I'm 5'10'' and right now I'm at the heaviest I've ever been, 315lbs. I've always like riding, something about being able to travel long distances that appeals to me. I've gotten back into riding to loose weight. I've been at it about 3 weeks now, and the last week I've noticed I'm getting my endurance back. Man, those first few rides were hell I tell ya, lol.

I'm currently riding my old mountain bike, a trek 950 with a lugged steel frame. I did by myself a Centurian LaMans off craigslist last year, that I'm anxious to finally ride. First, I want to put regular cage peadles on, and bigger tires. Also, I want to get my conditioning up a bit using my mountian bike before moving to a bike that has 7 less gears. I look foward to reading everyone's posts on here!

Welcome to Clydes-O-Rama - Lots of motivation here. Just keep moving.
I read a great cycling motivational book a couple of years ago by Mike Magnuson, "Heft on Wheels".
Its about a big clyde that becomes a racer. True Story and fast read.

Cheers


I might as well add myseld to the introductions here. I'm 5'10'' and right now I'm at the heaviest I've ever been, 315lbs. I've always like riding, something about being able to travel long distances that appeals to me. I've gotten back into riding to loose weight. I've been at it about 3 weeks now, and the last week I've noticed I'm getting my endurance back. Man, those first few rides were hell I tell ya, lol.

I'm currently riding my old mountain bike, a trek 950 with a lugged steel frame. I did by myself a Centurian LaMans off craigslist last year, that I'm anxious to finally ride. First, I want to put regular cage peadles on, and bigger tires. Also, I want to get my conditioning up a bit using my mountian bike before moving to a bike that has 7 less gears. I look foward to reading everyone's posts on here!

Hello everyone,

I figured I needed to read and respond to this thread as I am one of the fellow clydes (229lbs @ 5'11). I am only 25 and only 5 short years ago I weighed in at 170 during my running years. I have recently purchased a giant ocr 2 of CL and love it. I got my brother into biking, he recently bought an old ten speed Peugeot that has been treating him well after it has been tuned up.

Me and him have been doing a 60-80 mile ride each week for the last month. He is great shape and I can hold up with him on flat terrain, but recently we have been hitting routes with hills, yep shaving 40-50 lbs would sure help.

If anyone is around the Spokane Wa, area that wants to ride drop me a pm.

Branden

Hey, figure I'd hop in and say hi too. I'm just south of AntsMarch in the tricities! I'm 5'7" and 235lbs, down from 240 when I started biking just over a month ago. I finally got to the point of being sick tired of being sick and tired. Looking through pictures of myself at 180 10 years ago just depressed me to the point of actually doing something about it. Having 2 small children and the work schedules my wife and I have make it hard to get in workout time, so for the last month I've been getting up at 6am and exercising before work. I've found if I force myself to do some for of exercise every day, it's harder to come up with excuses to keep putting it off until tomorrow.

So what is the minimum height requirement to be a Clydesdale?
I am 5'4 1/4"; hey I will take allI can get and weigh currently 240 (down from 280) a year ago.
That is when I started cycling.

I am a 6' 223 lb cyclist. I am a avid cyclist been cycling for about 5 years. I can not for the life of me seem to get this gut off. My legs are solid musle and my arms are too. But boy oh boy the gut is just holding on for dear life. When I started cycling I was 6' 255lb. I put in about 1500 miles a year. I have completed the Triple by Pass ride climbed over 150,000 feet of elevation since Jan 07. But still can not get under 200lbs. So this year I am starting a log and cutting out most of the junk I eat. I want to be 180lbs by Aug next year. I am planning to ride the Leadville 100. So any advice would be welcomed. Oh yea I commute 12.5 miles three days a week after working 12+ hours as a nurse. So again "what the ****" is going on here.

Hello everyone! You know, I just found this forum today. I have not lurked here. I have not been hiding in the background. But what drew me here was the name Clydesdale!!! My name is Clyde and that got my attention :lol: Anyway, I'm 6' 1" and 33, soon to be 34. (birthday is tomorrow AUGUST 12,) All my life I've been over weight. In January this year, my best friend and I made a bet to see who could lose more weight every month. The "biggest loser" would be paid $100 by the person who lost less weight.

We both weighed in at 256 pounds (exactly the same weight :eek: ) We kept the bet up for 4 months, at which time I had gotten down to 207. He reached 221. He only changed his diet and used some kind of weight loss pills. I worked out and exercised along with counting my calories. The bet ended and I stayed a little more active then he has. As of today, I'm at 210# and have fluctuated from 203-212. I did look forward to riding my bike (Schwinn Comfort Touring Mountain Bike purchased 18 years ago as a 16th birthday present). The bike was in new condition as it sat for many of those years. I replaced all cables/breaks/Tires/tubes/grips last week and it is as if it is brand new!

Well, I just gotta sound off here and say that yesterday, I went for my longest bike ride ever!!! 10.5 miles around our valley. I don't know what came over me. I just said, "what the hell!!" and took the long way home. Over hills and along the river, it was a hard ride. My legs were killing me when I got home. But, the pain went away after an hour or so. Now today, I just decided to go a little further... 14 miles round trip!!! I feel like I'm on top of the world! Even when I was young (and over weight at 280 in HS) I couldn't ride a bike this much! I have been riding my bike now for over 2 months. The physical workouts I did over the winter really conditioned my leg muscles to be able to handle a longer workout. It has been lots of fun being able to ride. My goal is to be able to ride the bike up the "big hill" near my house. I can make it about 1/2 way before I poop out. But I'm getting stronger and soon, I'll make it!

As far as a weight loss goal, I wish to be 185 pounds as I have a medium frame. I've always been big but it's funny that now I can fit into size medium shirts and 34" waste pants. I expect to reach my goal by continuing my riding and working out. I'm still watching the calories and know that calories in - calories burned = weight loss. It's simple and I can't wait till next month to see another 10 pound weight loss or 200 pounds. I look forward to hearing other people sound of!!! Best wishes!!!

Hi cd,
We're pretty close in dimensions; I'm 6'1" and right now slightly south of 240. I started my journey last July at 266 and got down to the low 220's around the holidays. Then in January I took a spill on the back deck, on some ice that laid me up for a month and a half. Then it was the weather (I have a 400' gravel driveway to negotiate to get to the road, here in Upstate NY), and before you can say 'I'll have another helping, please' I was back up to 245. Back on the bike in April and now I find myself stuck also.

But you wanna know the truth? The pounds don't appear out of thin air. It's a simple equation: burn more than you consume, you lose weight. Consume more than you burn, the ladies look right thru you. Or whatever.

Only you know what the Real Deal is. Ride more and eat less.

And welcome!

C.

Just one other thing, if you look at my intro to the Clydes/Athenas you'll see I had a previous life as a Cat. 2 road racer. Burnin' some serious calories then, yo. But I clearly remember that even when I was at my peak (177 lbs.) I still had a bit of a pouch. Not much, but it never did completely disappear. I guess it's partly a genetic thing cuz my relatives are nearly all somewhat marsupial looking, tho on a larger scale than me.;)

Hi all,

I have been lurking here for awhile, posting for a bit. Wanted to make it official and introduce myself. My name is Sean and I live in Lakeville, just south of Minneapolis, MN.

I currently am 5'11 and 260 pounds. I usually am around 280 in the winter. Beer, food, t.v. and sub zero temps do not work well for me.

I used to ride mountain bike trails frequently then marriage, kids and work slowed it down to the point I had not been on a bike for two years. This July I sold the stumpjumper and bought a Cannondale bad boy thinking that I could ride the road better and fit it for trails later.

Now after road riding for a month, I have the bug!! I love it.

Thanks for all the great posts and information.

Sean

Welcoem to the herd Sean! :)