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06-13-07, 05:48 PM
I'm sitting here enjoying a plate of Copper River Salmon & have time to introduce myself. I'm a 42 year old husband/father, work for the government, & have decided I would like to try to participate in duathlons. I let myself get obese (230lb @ 5"10") after getting promoted to a desk job. I got down to 210lb by eating less & mild exercise (golf & walking) & recently had a minor medical condition that brought me down to 202lb & gave me a good scare because I laid in the hospital for 2 days getting bad diagnoses until they got it right.
I have an old Norco Java MTB I bought 12 years ago & it's still in pretty good shape, it only weighs 24.5 pounds. It needs a little work, but is still ridable until the parts come in. First I bought a new seat & realized my seat post is bad, so I ordered one. This wasn't easy because it's a 28.4mm post. None of the LBS could help me & I called a half dozen internet companies with no luck, sent 2 emails to the UK & one to Australia with no response. Finally Bikeman hooked me up. I also bought my rigid front fork (Kona Project 2) from him. I have a buddy at work that is really into cycling (has 5 bikes) & he tried to help me tune up my Java with limited success (front derailer), so I took it to a LBS that didn't ignore me or act like snobs (visited 5). The guy there was really nice & adjusted my front derailer in less than 2 minutes, my buddy tried for 45. I was so pleased that I ordered (at his suggestion) new Rapidfire shifters to replace my old Gripshifters, new 26x1.5 street tires to replace my old 26x2.35 slicks, new grips & a complete tune. I also have a new headset, a couple of insulated bottles, & an extra cage on the way.
I live in the middle of a city, so there isn't much opportunity to get off road. A week ago I started running 2 miles every morning & will probable up it to 3 miles next week. I bought a fluid trainer to use at work & have worked my way up to 1 hour a day. I ride to work, 5 miles each way. Yesterday was my first day off & I went for a 20 mile (very hilly) ride & will do the samething today. Tomorrow I plan to do a 30 mile flat ride. I return to work Friday.
My goal is to participate in a duathlon later this summer & continue to train till next spring until I can buy a real street bike & maybe actually be competitive. My goal weight is 177lbs, I'm 198 now. I'll try doing the simple less calories in than out method, but am open to seeing a nutritionist if I hit a wall. I would also, with the help of this forum, like to learn to do all my own bike work, I have a garage full of tools.
I have an old Norco Java MTB I bought 12 years ago & it's still in pretty good shape, it only weighs 24.5 pounds. It needs a little work, but is still ridable until the parts come in. First I bought a new seat & realized my seat post is bad, so I ordered one. This wasn't easy because it's a 28.4mm post. None of the LBS could help me & I called a half dozen internet companies with no luck, sent 2 emails to the UK & one to Australia with no response. Finally Bikeman hooked me up. I also bought my rigid front fork (Kona Project 2) from him. I have a buddy at work that is really into cycling (has 5 bikes) & he tried to help me tune up my Java with limited success (front derailer), so I took it to a LBS that didn't ignore me or act like snobs (visited 5). The guy there was really nice & adjusted my front derailer in less than 2 minutes, my buddy tried for 45. I was so pleased that I ordered (at his suggestion) new Rapidfire shifters to replace my old Gripshifters, new 26x1.5 street tires to replace my old 26x2.35 slicks, new grips & a complete tune. I also have a new headset, a couple of insulated bottles, & an extra cage on the way.
I live in the middle of a city, so there isn't much opportunity to get off road. A week ago I started running 2 miles every morning & will probable up it to 3 miles next week. I bought a fluid trainer to use at work & have worked my way up to 1 hour a day. I ride to work, 5 miles each way. Yesterday was my first day off & I went for a 20 mile (very hilly) ride & will do the samething today. Tomorrow I plan to do a 30 mile flat ride. I return to work Friday.
My goal is to participate in a duathlon later this summer & continue to train till next spring until I can buy a real street bike & maybe actually be competitive. My goal weight is 177lbs, I'm 198 now. I'll try doing the simple less calories in than out method, but am open to seeing a nutritionist if I hit a wall. I would also, with the help of this forum, like to learn to do all my own bike work, I have a garage full of tools.