Mountain Biking - riding a mt. bike to lose weight

Help

I've been told to lose some tonnage, and think getting a mountain bike would be a good way to go, BUTT, I sat on an expensive bike with a seat with a shock absorber-type spring under it, and the spring bottomed out! I'm 48 years old, and haven't been near a bike in 30 years.

Yikes! At 5'10", 220#, are there no comfortable mountain bikes out there for chubs? I'm not gonna climb any trees with the thing, I just want the option to ride some dirt roads if I want to. Slow and easy, no hard-core riding.

Hi Will, Welcome to the Forums. I started out two years ago at 220 also. I'm 5'11". I'm 180 now so it definately works! You can buy the bike you want and change seats easily. Even Wal-Mart has some pretty cushy seats. As you ride more and get used to it you'll probably want an narrower saddle. I started out with a wider more cushioned seat too, but now use a narrow Selle-Italia and find it very comfortable. It kinda depends on how much you ride too. I wouldn't try to find a bike for the seat though, I don't think you'll have much luck. Good Luck and Welcome to the wonderful world of Mountain Biking! :)

If you are lookig for comfort there are several manufacturer's that build "comfort bikes." When you go into a bike shop tell them that comfort is the primary objective. Tell them what you told us. A comfort bike with a descent set of tires will go on dirt roads. As long as you do not decide to go all out you should be fine. That and a comfort bike is superb for the road.

Will, I'd like to second that opinion. Comfort bikes seem like the way to go for you. You can get a decent "shop quality" bike for under $300.00. You'll find a suspension seatpost and an adjustable stem in this price range. If you want front suspension as well figure another $50.00. With a comfort bike as a starting point for your riding, you could always switch over to knobby tires if you're riding more "off" road and then if you really get into riding, you can upgrade later or continue to swap out components.

Later Gator:beer:

Yes, but don't forget, you can bike all you
want but if you don't cut food intake,
then you will stay the same weight.

I know this. I was 210, (6'-3"). I biked
alot last summer but didn't alter my eating.

The last 3 months, my job didn't have anything
for me to do so I sat home and got paid. Well,
I didn't go out to eat hardly at all and
just rode everyday. Some days I rode very
hard but other days, just took it easy.

I now weigh 185 and could easily keep going.
I actually need to put on 10-15 in muscle.

Anyway, I just hate to see you work your butt
off and nothing happen. Biking is great but
eating healthy is the 2nd part... :)

Hi Will,

That's a good comment from Natter, healthy eating and cycling will help you get your weight down, but also remember to have fun :)

Have fun out there!

Rich

Originally posted by Rich
...also remember to have fun :)

Rich, having fun? And all this time I thought you were always serious!? ;) By the way what asylum did you graduate from? ;)

He he...that would be telling!

Rich :thumbup:

I thought, perhaps we were room-mates! :p
But the medications make me forgetful...
What's your name again??? :confused:

will,
If you get back into cycling and build up some enduarance, there's one hidden benefit. My spouse and I sometimes bicycle 50-60+ miles on a weekend afternoon, and we can pretty much eat whatever we want on those afternoons. We don't really have to watch what we eat on those days, because so much energy is spent on those days that we can eat quite heartily and still be operating on a calorie deficit.

May you find the bike that suits you.

I've done this as well. I'm 38, 5'7" and was 235 lbs after last
winter. Ugh!

I've been doing a lot of mountain biking and I'm down to about
216 right now, I'm hoping to get under 200 and from there down
to around 167 or so.

One thing I recommend: moderation in all things diet, as well as
consistency: track your mileage on a spreadsheet. I do.

I have date of ride, length of ride, miles per month, miles per
season, and comments. I'll likely add a miles per week column
since I'm doing a lot of miles lately. I try to get in rides almost
every day of the week at least some distance.

I also have a column for weight as well.

Each time I go out, I try and go a little farther. If I don't go
farther, I'll go a little farther the next time. It's just a matter
of being honest with yourself, moderating your diet and
getting on the bike regularly (3-4 times a week at least).

I do have "days off" and some days we can't plan for bad
weather, but we can at least be persistent about it and use
the spreadsheet to reinforce when rides are needed.

I hope you'll enjoy the forums. There are several here who've achieved weight goals, sometimes without even thinking about it, by cycling.

I use a spreadsheet, too, and when I set mine up I think I knew if I made it really complicated (weather, mood, everything) I probably would stop using it. The result: I have exactly the same factors as you do in yours! Great minds?

Keep us up to date on your riding and ideas etc. The "moderation" concept, I think, is one of the best. I've always liked the saying, "Moderation in all things--including moderation.":)