Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - First ride

Went out for my first ride since getting my bike. A little under two miles and it completely destroyed me. I have so much more respect for the guys that have lost lots of weight doing this and the ones that are losing it still. It was a humbling experience getting out there to say the least.

I'm 6'3" and weigh in at 320lb. I'm only 22 and was told by my doctor to be at a high risk for diabetes because of my size and family history with it. He recommended cycling as a good aerobic workout that's also low impact.

I was really excited to start doing this but today just seemed to feel like a failure. Having to turn back so soon was a big hit to the morale.

Went out for my first ride since getting my bike. A little under two miles and it completely destroyed me. I have so much more respect for the guys that have lost lots of weight doing this and the ones that are losing it still. It was a humbling experience getting out there to say the least.

I'm 6'3" and weigh in at 320lb. I'm only 22 and was told by my doctor to be at a high risk for diabetes because of my size and family history with it. He recommended cycling as a good aerobic workout that's also low impact.

I was really excited to start doing this but today just seemed to feel like a failure. Having to turn back so soon was a big hit to the morale.

Hey man, welcome to the forum, and to biking. Dont worry about the length of the ride, you will get better and better as your muscles get used to the new range of motion you are introducing them to. We all went through it, I dont think I did much more then a mile on my first ride.

Keep it up, and enjoy the bike, dont overdue it. The more you enjoy the ride, the more incentive you will have.

Matty in Brooklyn

You are doing just fine. When I started last year I could only get 3-5 miles. That was in March. I was at 303 and I was about to die. I did my first charity t-shirt ride in mid April that was ten miles. In August I rode a fifty. You can do it. This season I am at 260 and riding 10-20 miles a day and 30-35 mile rides on the weekends. I have Type II Diabetes and it is completely controlled with diet and exercise. Just keep at it and don't give up. Keep posting here with updates and for the encouragement. If things get real bad and you need to talk to somebody PM me and give me your email address and I will email you. You are on the road to a new life and I would hate to see you give up now.

Went out for my first ride since getting my bike. A little under two miles and it completely destroyed me. I have so much more respect for the guys that have lost lots of weight doing this and the ones that are losing it still. It was a humbling experience getting out there to say the least.

I'm 6'3" and weigh in at 320lb. I'm only 22 and was told by my doctor to be at a high risk for diabetes because of my size and family history with it. He recommended cycling as a good aerobic workout that's also low impact.

I was really excited to start doing this but today just seemed to feel like a failure. Having to turn back so soon was a big hit to the morale.
Why? My first ride was a half mile! You done good!;) :D

That was 2 years ago, and I am also diabetic, but completely regulated by diet and exercise. My best distance for one day to date is 167 miles in 11 1/2 hours. It took me time to build to that though, so don't sweat it!

I started last April and thought I was going to die after about a mile and a half. Then I upgraded to a road bike and started with 10 miles as a goal and then 20, by the end of the summer I was up to 30 mile rides. Over the winter I had some family issues that kept me from riding and gained some weight back. Not I am back on my new carbon bike and am doing 25 mile rided three times a week , and the distance is more of a function of lack of time then ability. My goal is at least on 50 mile ride a week by end of summer. That some pounds off.

....I was really excited to start doing this but today just seemed to feel like a failure. Having to turn back so soon was a big hit to the morale.

You're not a failure! All of us have to start somewhere - the mile and a half or so you rode today is a mile and a half more than you rode last week. :) Don't let it get you down - you'll soon be building up the miles.

Actually that's great. I did it a little different, I couldn't bear to hit the streets looking fat so I got a trainer and built up to a respectable level in the privacy of my garage. I was barely a clyde at 210, but at 5'-9" I was a chunk. Diabetic....on an insulin pump...but got up to 15 mile trainer rides in no time, dropped 20# fast and am still losing on my way down to 160# hopefully. Insulin totals have been dropping fast also, constantly readjusting the pump basal to reflect the less calorie/carb intake and increase exercise.

Hit the streets a couple weeks ago on a trip south, did 12 miles. Been trying to incease every day, and lose 2# a week.

I'm hungry constantly......but my will WILL overpower this.

Don't worry, you're just starting. Also, you want to pay attention to what gear you are in when riding. If you are mashing really hard on the pedals, you need to shift to a lower gear. For us clydes, a lot of time it is unavoidable to mash the pedals when climbing a hill, but, if you work on keeping your cadence(rpms of the pedals) high, you'll get a better aerobic workout, and you'll be able to do a longer ride. Your thighs won't give out before the rest of you does.

Thanks for all of the encouragement folks. I'm heading back out again today, we'll see how it goes. And thanks for the advice about the gears, my thighs were definitely why I stopped so I'll try to find a better gear.

I went out for my first ride today, a little cold, but after 5 miles I was done. Keep at it, it gets easier!

I also just got a road bike last week, and my first ride was only about 3 miles. Thing is, if you do 4 or 5 miles a day, thats 30-35 miles a week, and I don't think that's a bad start at all! I'm 23, 6', and 260, looking to go down at least 50 lbs, but today i did an 8 mile ride, and I wasn't exhausted, just didn't have time for more. You'd be amazed how quickly you can ride more once you work the muscles that hold you in your "on-bike" position.

I also just got a road bike last week, and my first ride was only about 3 miles. Thing is, if you do 4 or 5 miles a day, thats 30-35 miles a week, and I don't think that's a bad start at all! I'm 23, 6', and 260, looking to go down at least 50 lbs, but today i did an 8 mile ride, and I wasn't exhausted, just didn't have time for more. You'd be amazed how quickly you can ride more once you work the muscles that hold you in your "on-bike" position.


Yeah, if your fitness level is zero it's disheartening at first, but you'll see incredible improvement if you stick with it.

Once your body adjusts, it's crucial to control your diet otherwise you'll just become a cardiovascularly fit fat guy. It also helps a bunch to strength train a couple times a week, even if its just calisthenics.

And the best part is that, as your fitness improves, riding the bike becomes fun!

Went out for my first ride since getting my bike. A little under two miles and it completely destroyed me. I have so much more respect for the guys that have lost lots of weight doing this and the ones that are losing it still. It was a humbling experience getting out there to say the least.

I'm 6'3" and weigh in at 320lb. I'm only 22 and was told by my doctor to be at a high risk for diabetes because of my size and family history with it. He recommended cycling as a good aerobic workout that's also low impact.

I was really excited to start doing this but today just seemed to feel like a failure. Having to turn back so soon was a big hit to the morale.

That was me one year ago-just a ride around the neighborhood and I went home to bed. I began doing 5 miles a day, then 10, then 15...Today I ride 20-25 miles every day. I'm older and heavier than you, so you can do it! Give yourself 2-3 months and you'll be hooked.