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

I'm 5'7" or 8" (depending on how the back feels) and somewhere around 270. I started riding last year when gas prices hit $3.75 and I went down to 230ish controlling my diet. and promptly gained all that back the last few months special thanks for that goes out to winter and Christmas cookies. I love riding (especially when it sucks at the office) but the bloody weather and CA drivers who don't drive in the rain give me the heeby-geebies.

I have a 20 mile loop planned for Sunday, weather permitting and average 13 miles a day when commuting. Although I'm going to increase that average to 15+ this year.

My bike is a Fuji Club Le from 2003. No pics of it....yet. My treat for getting below 200 is to get a new bike. I'm leaning the Trek Portland or any other roadie with disc brakes as screeching brakes at 30-40 mph downhill is kinda spooky after seeing what happened in front of Lance in the TDF a few years ago.

6'3"; 220 lbs; 45 yrs-old; ex-smoker since 4/2007.

It's been a rough winter for me. A new job requiring lots of hours has allowed the crummy eating habits to creep back into my life. I have gained 15 lbs since T-giving, even though I have been riding most of the season.

Last March, roughly a year after I quit smoking, I weighed in at 198. Rode a couple thousand miles and still gained 10 lbs over the summer. They always said I'd gain weight after I quit smoking, but I had no idea.

Funny thing is that my weight held steady, even dropped a few pounds, during that first year, but then whamo! I'm not giving up though.

22, 6'8" 320lbs. Probably will never get back to 250, which was my ideal weight a few years ago, but 280 would be nice. I only recently got into cycling, while using the 19" Specialized Hardrock (which I got at age 12) to get around campus. My friends did some 50 and 100 mile rides this summer, but as I didn't have any gear to meet the task, I had to sit out.

In November, my bike was stolen, and was replaced the next month with a much more comfortable 68cm Fuji road bike, built sometime in the 80's. After finally getting all the parts in working order, I ride it pretty much every day for the short commutes to school and around the campus area, and am longing for the more stable spring weather so i can start up on some longer rides. I don't have any pictures of the bike yet, but here's one taken next to it.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2323/124/29/538970067/n538970067_5788758_392.jpg

and my bike

http://photos-a.pe.facebook.com/photos-pe-snc1/v2323/124/29/538970067/n538970067_5804896_5806.jpg

I am 6'6" and 240 lbs. I was the same height and 150 pounds in high school!

hello, my name is jesse. im new to the forum, but have been riding for about a year now. at 6' and 285 lbs, i guess i belong right here in the clydes section. ive been riding a '07 specialized hardrock sport since i got into mountain biking over a year ago. i just got a '08 specialized roubaix triple a few weeks ago, big change from riding off-road... aside from some wheelset issues, im pretty happy with the roubaix.

Hey everyone...new to the forums, and I guess I would qualify as a Clyde. Im 21, 5'8" and 235 pounds. Ive always had a bike, but just recently got into biking for my own fitness. Right now I have a Schwinn Traverse Mountain Bike with road tires...Ive never rode any Mountain Bike trails and mainly ride the bike/walking trail that I luckily live right next to. I did get down to 212 this summer...but after getting laid off in october my fitness level pretty much dropped off and I gained it all back. My goal is to get down to 200.

I notice that the posted date go back to 2005 so not sure if anyone is still communicating. The reason I ask is that I am a beginner - looking to get my first bike and love to get into cyclocrossing and yes I am an overweight guy. 5'9, 200 to be exact but I used to play rugby and still keep active by swimming and going to the gym. Love the fact that cyclocrossing has the up-body endurance aspect. I wasn't sure if anyone else out there who is overweight actually cycles. The pics I see are of skinny and fit guys..lol..not exactly me so there is that intimidation factor..Good to see this thread

Welcome all!

I notice that the posted date go back to 2005 so not sure if anyone is still communicating. The reason I ask is that I am a beginner - looking to get my first bike and love to get into cyclocrossing and yes I am an overweight guy. 5'9, 200 to be exact but I used to play rugby and still keep active by swimming and going to the gym. Love the fact that cyclocrossing has the up-body endurance aspect. I wasn't sure if anyone else out there who is overweight actually cycles. The pics I see are of skinny and fit guys..lol..not exactly me so there is that intimidation factor..Good to see this thread

We still communicate here. We have a whole forum to do it in, however, so we don't just hang out in this thread.

Here's a photo of a fat, unfit guy if it makes you feel less intimidated:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3299092144_ea589cd75b_b.jpg

I'm down to 205 from 300 lbs. now.

Way to go!!

I just bought my first pair of jeans in over 13 years - size 40 (down from a so-tight-the-seam-was-bursting-in-the-quads 42). 20 pounds since the holidays, inching along but at least mostly forward progress.

Just finished my 1st Century ride... with a little help from some frends... One who might actually read here.

Thanks ZPL!

Now, I've got to get ready for Cycle Oregon... 454 miles spread out over a week.
Looking to find out more about larger rider support (mostly clothing).

Rubberside Down!
K'Tesh

This is the first time I've posted my bike on these forums. What do you think? It's a gary fisher piranha. Right click view image for a bigger picture. (I've taken the reflectors off now.)http://sites.google.com/site/kenniesblog/pictures/000_0151.JPG?attredirects=0

Just finished my 1st Century ride... with a little help from some frends... One who might actually read here.

Thanks ZPL!

No problem! I'm up for a ride anytime (although I admit today's rains have been quite heavy - I skipped Breakfast on the Bridge this morning).

Hi Everyone!
I got my first 10spd in 1974 and started racing in 1976 as a junior. Wool shorts and wool jerseys ruled then. I continued to race until 1988. I was never any good and DNF'd more races than I finished, but it was fun and I got to see a lot of the country. I stopped all contact with bicycles in 1989. The weight started to go up and up and up, reaching 261 in Jan 2008. For some strange reason I got up one sat in July 2008 and decided to go for a ride, only 15 miles but I had fun. I have not stopped riding and am down to 223lbs. I was never petite and raced at 185-190lbs. I'd really like to break the Clydesdale (200lbs) threshold later this year. A guy on our collegiate team nicknamed my horsepower, so as a tribute to my youth I'm using that as my name here. Now I'm more of a 39x21 guy on flat roads!!
Ed

Hey there!

New to the board and I started riding as I weigh in at 298lbs at 6' high.
I have a '' Target'' special and it has held up for the last two weeks. I am
surprised at what a bike costs when looking at all the brands to choose from. Anyone had anyluck with an ''El Cheapo'' that has held up for a year?

Welcome! Without replacing anything? Very doubtful under many miles.

Hi, I guess I'm a Clyde too. I'm 50, 216lbs, 6'0". I ride about 800-1000 miles a year, about 14mph avg. I've ridden many century rides. Lost about 15 lbs last year (didn't stay off tho). I plan to get to 199 so I can be banned from this area! :D :D

Heres a Garfield quote you all would appreciate:
I'm not overweight, I'm undertall

Jack

[edit]

Let me add, I had a tagline that seems to work here. I have a new one, so anyone who wants it can have it

"Thats not my gut, thats a cross country gas tank"

Hello all, first time posting here. I'm 32yo, 6'6", 258 lbs, and just took up biking again for the first time since I was a kid. I bought a Trek 7.2 fx 2 weeks ago with the goal in mind of completing a 20 mile round trip trail near here (aubrey, tx). Funny enugh, after a few jaunts around the neighborhood, I realize how out-of-shape I am, and that I probably have a ways to go before I can realistically complete it without trailing along a crash cart behind me. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone here. Woohoo!

6'1 205 lbs

I've been a Clydesdale for the past 25 years but have always been active and in good shape. I currently ride a Van Dessel Hole Shot cyclocross bike. I got back into riding a few months ago. I had ridden a mountain bike for years, but then job responsibilities, travel and family got in the way and I hardly went out any more. After getting my new bike - all I want to do is ride now. I joke that cycling has become a 'healthy addiction' for me. I'm looking forward to riding more when the weather gets warmer and am thinking of doing my first cyclocross race this year.

Well it looks like I fit into this little category, 213 pounds.

Never heard of this until now, but nice to know about it :)

Got some pay-off for my extra weight the other day and beat a whole lot of cyclists on a cycle trainer speed competition and won myself $100 :D I guess hauling myself up all those hills around here (I live at the foot of a 8200ft mountain, I can't go anywhere without hitting a hill!) gave me the extra power to beat all those light weight roadies!

Went to the doctor the other day, and my BP was 170/80. Yikes, normally I'm golden. So I've been checking daily and it's been 110/75 ever since. So I read about the white coat factor, essentially being stressed out at the doctor's office can raise your BP.

So I'm thinking, maybe that explains my weight gain, too.

Went to the doctor the other day, and my BP was 170/80. Yikes, normally I'm golden. So I've been checking daily and it's been 110/75 ever since. So I read about the white coat factor, essentially being stressed out at the doctor's office can raise your BP.

So I'm thinking, maybe that explains my weight gain, too.

Sometimes a Hot Nurse will raise it high. BP I am talking about.

I'm 6'5", 275lbs. I ride a 24" 2004 specialized hardrock comp and ahve been riding frankenstiened fixies built by myself for the last 2 -3 yrs. I am currentley riding a converted 70's motobecane. On this bike I recently snapped the spindle of the bottom bracket and stripped the threads off my rear hub

so I am looking to upgrade to a little bit beefyer trackbike.

Anyone have and issues with Aluminum frames (over steel)?

Hi, I 6'3" and 245lbs. I've been riding a 2002 Cannondale CAAD5 and have been surprised how great aluminum feels. It's smoother than my 80s steel bike. It seems good steel is expensive these days. I'm curious about the lastest CAAD9 now. Are there some aluminum frames a big guy should avoid? I found a good deal on a cyclocross bike made of Easton Ultralight. Thoughts from anyone?

Hello all,

When I first joined the forums I was only 212lbs and now a couple of years later I am 6'4" 286lbs. I blew my knee out in 2001 and have been putting the surgery off since then. The docs say that I am missing my ACL and my PCL is all but toast. I decided that I wanted to get the surgery and went into the docs to get things started and was shocked when I saw how much I weighed. I knew I gain a lot but I was able to hide it for the most part but now I decided enough with the weight gain and wanted to drop back down to my ideal zone of 210- 215 so I just sold my Felt roadie that was nice but hurt to ride and just bought a Trek FX3 25"frame.

I have stopped eating all the sweets my thin gf brings home and I am back to oatmeal, chicken and veggies. I am thinking of starting a daily blog to keep track of my journey but mostly to keep me focused on losing the lbs. I am 38 now and tried to go for a ride the other day to feel out the new bike and was wiped out by the 6th mile. In my late teens and early twenties I used to do 25-50 mile rides every week without breaking a sweat and this was a humbling moment.

Anyway does any fellow husky have a seat that they would recommend?

6'2 110 KG.

I bring the pain.


(usually when i fall off)

check specialized BG saddles, with a pair of bike shorts it work out fine for me Iam 6'1" 265. Oh hey the price was right @ about $40

I'm 6' 239lbs........I have the Assault on Mtn Mitchell coming up and have to get down to 218-215lbs. I rode a small stretch of road the other day that avg 15%-18% for 1.7 miles dam talk about a climb!

Hi all. Haven't really ever posted in this forum, not sure why either. I am 6' 298lbs. Was 331lbs on thanksgiving, so I've lost about 33lbs since then. Plan on doing a century ride or two this summer. My version of a marathon I guess. Always been a mountain biker, but will be buying my first road bike this summer. Was planning on getting a Cannondale Synapse Carbon, but now I am looking at the CAAD9. Aluminum will probably hold up to my big ass better huh?

Congratulations on the wieght loss.
Keep it coming off.

Recently back-into-biking. 14 years of rugby meant time to retire; not changing my ways has meant time to do more! As an uber-clyde (6'5" 300lbs) but with a very athletic background I want a road bike I can commute with as well as do longer rec-rides...something I can cover some ground in. Going to go to my LBS tomorrow and talk about the Surly LHT and Crosscheck as they push the ~1K limit I would like to spend. Any other advice or things to ask?

Relatively new to biking, borrowed a bike to do MS charity ride and got hooked. 5'10" and 230, looking to do a lot of riding, interested in long rides and I take my fixed gear to the track every so often. I also signed up to do a triathlon this summer, so I'm hoping to lose some weight and get in shape for that.

hello all! brand new to biking and i was directed here...i'm 6' 2", about 245 pounds...looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully sharing some cool experiences!

Hey all. I'm for sure what you call a clyde. I got back into biking last year because many years of sports have done in my knees and I also wanted to be more green and lose weight. I started by commuting to work 40km round trip in October last year and only got a month in before my lack of gear plus snow forced me to stop. I've been hitting the gym 5 days a week(weights plus 160km a week on stationary bikes) and with a huge diet change I have dropped from 330lbs to 290 since the end of November. I am doing a 270km charity ride in June and hope to reach 250lbs by the end of June in time for the ride. My ultimate goal is 220lbs by next spring!

I just sold my Hybrid and got a 2009 Trek 2.1 - http://members.shaw.ca/k.zia/Trek21/IMAGE_118.jpg
Sorry for the crappy cell phone image. My digital camera got stolen a few months ago. As soon as all the ice on my hill melts I'll be out and I can't wait!

I hope to join a cycling club this year or next season once I get back into the swing of things.

I've been around this board for awhile now, but haven't posted in a few years. I started bike commuting a few years ago while in college as a way to save some cash on gas and fell in love with cycling. Life happened and it's only been recently that I've been getting back into riding.

Currently I'm at 225 lbs and 6'2". I'm getting married in May so I'm determined to lose at least 10 lbs and get down to a size 36 by my wedding date. I completed my second triathlon this past weekend and saw my pictures and got really disgusted at what I let myself get to. It's great to find a place where there's a bunch of other folks in the same boat as I am!

guess I'm a big dude at 6'7" 228...........started biking 6 months ago at 248lbs so I got 20lbs off...I haven't started eating right yet and my beer consumption is pretty high, but I'm in shape at 35.....I ride about 100 miles a week, sometimes more if I can get a good 50-60 mile ride on the weekend.

6'1" 240LBS
the chart says 180, which i seriously doubt will happen unless i go through boot again. havent raced in 18years so it should be an interesting year tryig to do a couple crits. with a 48-50 coat, ill never be marco pantani, but id be happy at 200-215, or as long as i could squeeze into a 36 again, with some room to spare. oh yeah, its just old and fat, nothing more, nothing less...no excuses.

while i ride a lighter bike (17.5), it is a byproduct of the parts i selected, which were selected for a myriad of reasons, the last of which was weight. ive never been a hammer and always have been fairly smooth, so problems many of you face, are not my own. ill never hit 40mph pushing a 53x11, but i used to get there on a 52x13 ;)

best of luck and good fortune

its 0648hrs and time for bed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/grimace308/Bikes/IMG_4117.jpg

Hi everybody. I missed you guys....so I took the winter off and put on 30lbs!:(

I'm a Clyde...........again?



Well, starting back out at 225lbs.

Hi everybody. I missed you guys....so I took the winter off and put on 30lbs!:(

I'm a Clyde...........again?



Well, starting back out at 225lbs.

Welcome back!

Hi. New user here.

6'4", 245

8 years ago I tried a triathlon for the first time on my Trek 7000 mountain bike with slicks...the climbs were great but everything else sucked. I've always enjoyed biking and never really did it "competitively." I'm still a bit intimidated by the "bike crowd," in general.

Anyhow, after that season of triathlons I picked up a "closeout" at a local bike store. It's a Schwinn. When I tell the "bike crowd" that I have a Schwinn, I typically need to follow up with the details...853 steel frame, carbon fork, full Ultegra triple setup, Ritchey bars/headset/post, unknown rims (I think something they had sitting around). Terrible saddle. TIME pedals (?). It's big. It was a great deal, and it will probably be my bike for years.

Oh yeah, the "bike crowd" sometimes questions the triple. I'll occasionally get the "you should get a double and lose the weight." I then remind them that if I want to lose some weight, I'll lose the pounds from my butt rather than the bike.

TWO years ago I was in a local charity ride and blew a tire...wrecked front wheel. Last year we were in the middle of moving into a new home and landscaping...never replace the wheel. Didn't ride all summer. Oh - I'm in Wisconsin. Limited season, too.

Ok, enough babbling. I'm getting back into it, as I really enjoy biking with my wife. We now live in a very popular area for biking, so it's nagging at me to get back out there.

I started running about a month ago, and I've dropped 10 pounds since. I'm looking to keep that on the downward trend...225 would be great :)

What's first on my list? Getting a new set of wheels - something that can take my tremendous bulk. I'll look around at old messages, but look forward to some questions!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3377094659_c7ae73bef7_o.jpg

Kris

Hi all, new to biking got my first road bike two weeks ago i am 5'6 and i weigh 215 lbs. Hoping to lose a lot of weight.

Talked with the good folks at Harris Cycles in Mass and settled on a Surly Long Haul Trucker, happily it comes in this week! Itching to ride despite the weather.

I am 6'4, 238lbs to date. I ride a bright yellow "EPX" 303 carbon road bike, usually doing 2-3 multi-day charity events each year. Road time is limited, so most my training miles are on the spinner in a spin class setting or on the trainer at home, after the kid has gone to bed.

I just signed up for a beginners Tri site where I am getting good advise on triathlete training. If all goes well, I may not qualitfy to participate in this forum, although my ideal weight is 205, which will revoke my parole from the Clydsedale club, giving me a life sentence here. - not really a bad thing. Us "bigger-boned" guys need love too.

Got my brand new Surly Long Haul Trucker in today :love: and immediately rode it to work...now hoping to take a night ride as well tonight! Mostly stock with some upgrades to come soon like clipless, saddle, comp etc...

I started commuting last year when gas prices were $4.50+. Since I'm down 50lbs but still clyds @ 207 (5'9"). I hope by summer I'm @ 180. If this snow would just go away...

Got my brand new Surly Long Haul Trucker in today :love: and immediately rode it to work...now hoping to take a night ride as well tonight! Mostly stock with some upgrades to come soon like clipless, saddle, comp etc...

Looks like an AMAZING ride. Happy riding to you on that thing.

I hit a personal high of 221 two weeks ago - I'd never been over 220 before. That inspired me to watch my diet and start working out during lunch. Combined with weather finally warm enough for some long rides, I was down to 217 Friday.
My intent is to exit the clydesdale category by end of summer :)

Hi all. Just back into cycling after almost 4 years off after an elbow injury. 6'2" 230#. Last time I got to 185 I was running 10 miles 2 times a day, rowing, etc and eating tree bark.Just way too much work.
I used to haul my old Pro Flex all over the state with me, to ride after work instead of sitting in a hotel eating Dominos' watching the glass teat. So I am getting back into my Felt F60 and just added a Jamis Durango to the stable. The roads around here have no shoulder, lots of gravel and dirt on the roads right into the lane so skinny tires kind of suck. Mendocino county is beautiful, but the roads are really skinny, and drinking (or smoking dope) and driving is a God given right.
My job is outside sales and service, with the nearest customer about 50 miles away so no bike commuting. I figure I will throw the bike in the car and ride like before. I used to get to ride some pretty cool areas, so back at it.
My weight goal is to get back to about 210, and have a lot of fun.

I'm currently 6' 250 pounds up from my usual 200 pounds. Bad relationships will do that. ;) I recently started riding again after a 10 year hiatus. I eat healthy, and I ride at least 4-6 days a week. I'm gradually stepping up my distance and hoping to be able to commute to work without too much of a sweat by the end of the summer. My goal is to be able to commute into work without breaking a too much of a sweat and drop my weight by at least 50 ibs.