Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Just a Thanks...

Hey folks...

I wanted to write a short thanks to everyone on here. I haven't bought a bike yet, but the people on here have been great. No "do a search first" or other nasty things you seem to get when newbies ask questions on other types of forums.

I can't tell you what a relief it is to find a whole section of big people riders. As someone who has battled with his weight for so long and is now a big 330 pds. and 6-3, part of the hesitation of starting biking was the whole "nobody my size bikes...it looks silly". Finding this Clydesdale section is awesome and then finding that I am a "Uber Clyde" (that is the funniest damn thing I have heard in awhile), some how makes it easier to dive into this whole thing. Knowing there are folks out there who have battled the same delimma of, "do I spend all this money will I ride it? Or will it be another item I spend money on to lose weight and have it collect dust?" is just great.

Again, I don't want to go all Dr. Phil or Oprah on you folks, but it has been a real joy finding this and getting all the helpful advice. It really does help.

There ya go.....

You're more than welcome, VolnTitan! I believe you'll find that the bike is the one and only exercise item that you'll consistently use - it's just so much FUN! Having a community to communicate with is also an incentive to keep at it. In any case, welcome to the forum and don't be a stranger!

We're happy to have you here. I was 247+lbs in March (didn't have a decent scale up to that time) and am down to ~200 now. EVERYONE here, and the 50+ forum (I'm an oldster along with being a clyde) have been very helpfull in getting me back into riding.

Find a bike you like, start slow, be reasonable with your diet, and most of all, HAVE FUN!

Thanks...I am someone who HATES to feel like he didn't get the best deal, so that is why I ask so many questions, especially since I don't really know what to look for technically. Everyone has been a HUGE help so far.

part of the hesitation of starting biking was the whole "nobody my size bikes...it looks silly".

I felt the same way until I realized that many of the bicycle-police in town are technically clydes...no really, I know one of them personally.

It took just about every drop of courage I had to buy my first pair of shorts and jersey.

VolnTitan, welcome to Clydes, first! Second, GO VOLS, GO TITANS (Former Chattanooga boy here!)! You'll find us Clydes to be a pretty easygoing bunch! Besides, bikes for big guys is a more critical subject than it might be for the skinny little greyhound type riders!http://dune.servint.com/uploads/f_eyebrows.gif

Let me tell you folks something....I just finished looking at the before and after thread. I am ready to go right now. I have spent my life thinking diet first, exercise second....a distant second. I have done the liquid Oprah diet, carb diet, cabbage soup diet, etc. This time I decided to let the exercise spark the diet. If I can decide btwn the 2 bikes, I will be set.

I haven't been this jazzed since the Titans came to town ;) (yes, even with their sorry season, I am still an avid season ticket holder).

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Welcome!

I'm the same way with the questions so I know where you're coming from!! :D

Hey folks...

I wanted to write a short thanks to everyone on here......


Hey, there's been plenty of "Thank You's" posted before - next time, do a search, would'ja?

:D :D :D

Welcome aboard. I returned to biking in February after a 20 year hiatus. I turn 40 this weekend. I'm Uber and it took awhile to get into shape. After a month I was doing 20 miles a day. I am now trying to increase my speed. I average 15 mph and I think that's pretty good, considering I am pushing 300+ lbs of beef down the road for 90 minutes :)

3 bills myself.

Wear the lycra proudly.

Let me tell you folks something....I just finished looking at the before and after thread. I am ready to go right now. I have spent my life thinking diet first, exercise second....a distant second. I have done the liquid Oprah diet, carb diet, cabbage soup diet, etc. This time I decided to let the exercise spark the diet. If I can decide btwn the 2 bikes, I will be set.

I haven't been this jazzed since the Titans came to town ;) (yes, even with their sorry season, I am still an avid season ticket holder).

As far as diet goes, do the simple things first. Drop the sugars and fats from your diet, cut back on some of the carbs. You'll be amazed at what weight you can lose with simple diet changes and riding your (yet to be named) bike.

Do NOT get discouraged when things seem to slow down, as I mentioned earlier, HAVE FUN! Good things will happen, I promise. You have found a very positive (though sometimes argumentative:D ) group here. As far as I can tell, we have done a good job of supporting each other.

A couple of links of interest: http://www.whfoods.com/
Get yourself a cheap cyclocomputer ~$10.00 at Wal-Mart (or work a deal at your LBS) and track your calories burned here (other good info too) http://caloriesperhour.com/

I use a rather generic vanilla whey protien powder as sweetner in my cereal, also mix it with some instant "Tea to Go" drink for some of my lunches. Some recipe ideas here http://www.biprousa.com/recipes.asp

Thanks....just got my bike. I went with the Giant Sedona DX. The #1 reason was the bike dealer. Allanti Bike Company in Brentwood, TN. (Hey, you never know when a plug helps them.). Still need to get a helmet. They were running low on helmets and the one they had in my size, I didn't really like. (Bell Helmet).

My daughter is a vegitarian and she has some vanilla Whey Powder with her so she can get some protein. I know she doesn't use it like she should, so I will get some of hers when we visit her in a couple of weeks at college. Never thought of having to use protein powder.

Thanks....just got my bike. I went with the Giant Sedona DX. The #1 reason was the bike dealer. Allanti Bike Company in Brentwood, TN. (Hey, you never know when a plug helps them.). Still need to get a helmet. They were running low on helmets and the one they had in my size, I didn't really like. (Bell Helmet).

My daughter is a vegitarian and she has some vanilla Whey Powder with her so she can get some protein. I know she doesn't use it like she should, so I will get some of hers when we visit her in a couple of weeks at college. Never thought of having to use protein powder.

VolnTitan, the whey powder isn't something you necessarily NEED to use, but I'd rather use it than some kind of sweetner in my cereal. I usually mix my own "granola" type of cereal using a high fiber cereal like General Mills "Fiber One" or Post's "100% Fiber", some uncooked oatmeal, walnut pieces, flax seeds, roasted sunflower seeds, a couple of dates, a couple of prunes, a couple of tablespoons of nonfat yogurt, a scoop of vanilla whey powder and some non fat milk.

I am lucky that I can ride most of an hour during my lunch break. I often make one of my green "Tea to go" shakes with a scoop of whey powder and have an apple for my after ride lunch. Other days I eat a can of salmon with (or without) some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Wow...I might have to ease into this healthy food thing... ;)

Next thing I have to do is get a helmet...