I think it might help, especially some newer members, to realize their accomplishments if we talk about our "long" rides. I think many newbies assume all of us who have been doing it a while are out riding 100 miles every weekend and feel overwhelmed that they aren't at that level. I know I felt like that in the beginning.
So maybe if us SuperClydes (and SuperAthenas), 300+ pounds, admit our longest rides and/or speeds, maybe it will be lower than some expect and they will feel a greater sense of accomplishment.
I know some say mileage is a useless measure becuase if you live in a hilly area, you get the same workout with less miles, so whether you count by time or miles....I don't care - admit your longest ride.
I'm currently at about 320lbs, started riding (at my heaviest) at about 375lbs. My longest ride, so far, was about 46 miles (about a year ago). I've been riding about 2 1/2 years and still haven't surpassed that (though admittedly have really slacked the last year).
CliftonGK1
06-21-07, 01:35 PM
Not a super, but still a moderately large Clydesdale at 250 pounds. My longest so far has been 50 miles (44 on the Tour de Cure, plus the 2 miles each way to/from my apartment, and 2 miles of incedental mileage just cruising around the event.) I'm working my way up to a metric on my birthday (early September) and a 70 miler at the end of September. Next year I'm going to be in shape to do a couple of centuries. (I might not weigh any less, but my fiancee and I just quit smoking last week, so my lungs will be in better shape.)
SOS
06-21-07, 01:46 PM
310 pounds of raw cycling power here. 35 miles max distance, around 13-14 mph average speed.
I've been meaning to do longer rides but my bike has been having some mechanical difficulties lately, so I have not dared go over 30. I will, though. Soon. I hope. Once I get those oddball noises coming from my bike sorted out. I wonder if my carbon seatpost is going to shatter soon...
Halthane
06-21-07, 01:55 PM
Before I dropped bellow 300 the longest I had done was 28mi at about 15.5mph. I'm at ~280 now and did my longest ride ever two days ago 43mi at 14.8 mph, low average speed for me but there are alot of hill on that road.
Paul
TheAdmiral
06-21-07, 02:48 PM
Superclyde at 300-something(almost under 300!). My longest ride was just over 62 miles about two weeks ago, and I averaged about 15mph on that ride. In fact, most of my average speeds hover between 14-18 mph, but you have to take that with a grain of salt because I'll pound up a 9% grade at like 4mph then bomb down the other side at 40mph. VERY hilly where I live. In fact, Greg LeMond used to train around here. Average speed in the flats is anywhere from 17-21 mph.
I have been cycling for three months.
bdinger
06-21-07, 05:11 PM
Festively plump superclyde around the 370 mark, and the longest I did was a hair over 50 miles, last weekend. It was about a 2% grade average the entire way "back", along with 85 degree humid heat. It was pretty rough :). No idea what the average was, but I rarely got below 15. So I'd say 14-15 riding average.
I've been cycling for just over a year, with about 2000 miles under my belt.
Vespa
06-21-07, 05:21 PM
40 miles (65KM) at 17.5 mph (28.1 km/h) at about 280 with an average cadence of 81. At 300, on New Years Eve did the same at about 24 Km/h no cadence computer but likely high 50s average. The faster ride was no my Newish Surly CC and the slower ride was on a Jamis Hybrid.
Its fun as fitness level improves to see the changes in our riding style. I have gone from masher to an aspiring spinner.
(51)
06-21-07, 05:30 PM
I did 40 last Fall.
Tom Stormcrowe
06-21-07, 06:46 PM
Did my first century ride at 299, close enough?
jaxgtr
06-21-07, 06:58 PM
I been riding now for 1 yr and presently 295, started at 375. My longest ride has been 75 miles @ 15.5 avg. on my heavy Trek hybrid. Flat, flat, flat around here almost under water it so flat. Left my garage and rode to Jacksonville Beach then to St. Augustine and back. It was a great ride with beautiful weather.
Tom Stormcrowe
06-21-07, 07:29 PM
I been riding now for 1 yr and presently 295, started at 375. My longest ride has been 75 miles @ 15.5 avg. on my heavy Trek hybrid. Flat, flat, flat around here almost under water it so flat. Left my garage and rode to Jacksonville Beach then to St. Augustine and back. It was a great ride with beautiful weather.
with an average of 3.2mm elevation change, right?:p
Not a bad average or miles, by the way!:D
DieselDan
06-21-07, 08:08 PM
I stay around 300 and have done many metric centuries (100KM, 63miles) and a few centuries (100 miles) and that odd 109 mile ride to a campground to catch up with my family as my car wouldn't start and I'd said I'd be there no matter what. I was around 320 when I started that ride.
The Historian
06-21-07, 08:44 PM
I think it might help, especially some newer members, to realize their accomplishments if we talk about our "long" rides. I think many newbies assume all of us who have been doing it a while are out riding 100 miles every weekend and feel overwhelmed that they aren't at that level.
I learned how to ride a bike six months ago, on December 24, 2006. I logged 6 miles between December 2006 and February 2007. Longest ride was 3 miles and it took 38 minutes. My weight was 275-280.
I began riding outside the first week of March, 2007. Longest ride to date has been 51 miles on the Delaware Canal Towpath Trail two weeks ago. Miles logged since March 1: 956. Current weight: 246.
tourist
06-21-07, 09:04 PM
Did my first century which ended up being 106 miles at 275.
TheAdmiral
06-21-07, 11:34 PM
I learned how to ride a bike six months ago, on December 24, 2006. I logged 6 miles between December 2006 and February 2007. Longest ride was 3 miles and it took 38 minutes. My weight was 275-280.
I began riding outside the first week of March, 2007. Longest ride to date has been 51 miles on the Delaware Canal Towpath Trail two weeks ago. Miles logged since March 1: 956. Current weight: 246.
Daaaaaaaang! Nice work, bro! Now THAT'S some improvement! And you edged out my mileage since I started March 16th ~ 855.
jaxgtr
06-22-07, 05:11 AM
with an average of 3.2mm elevation change, right?:p
Not a bad average or miles, by the way!:D
hahahahha, yea, I think I had a net elevation gain of 4 ft and that was because of a bridge that has different elevation on one side.
jaxgtr
06-22-07, 05:13 AM
I learned how to ride a bike six months ago, on December 24, 2006. I logged 6 miles between December 2006 and February 2007. Longest ride was 3 miles and it took 38 minutes. My weight was 275-280.
I began riding outside the first week of March, 2007. Longest ride to date has been 51 miles on the Delaware Canal Towpath Trail two weeks ago. Miles logged since March 1: 956. Current weight: 246.
Your doing a heck of a job brother. 956 miles is an fantastic amount since March first for a new rider. Kudo's.
Chief5286
06-22-07, 06:20 AM
Pair of newbs here (wife and I). Been riding for just a couple of weeks. One of use is 300+, the other isn't (but still a clyde). Our longest ride so far has been a hair over 10 miles on the trails. Going to try and get out this weekend for another decent ride, maybe on a new trail.
So far, I'm very glad we picked up a pair of bikes. My wife seems to enjoy riding, though sometimes its a pain to get to the trail we ride on. We've ridden around town a few times, but that's not nearly as enjoyable. I also enjoy just getting out and riding through the woods, decent excercise and just plain relaxing.
We started writing down everything we eat and watching our calories on June 4th. I started off at about 228 (down from 240 since I switched to diet pepsi). Yesterday the scale said 216. The wife has also lost about 10-12 lbs. Its a good start, and though I think it's mainly due to diet, I think we both hope that biking can become a regular part of a healthier lifestyle (along with lifting).
Terrierman
06-22-07, 06:36 AM
I hover around 250 or so (actually a tad higher right now) and have been riding just over a year. I've probably got in something like 2500 to 3000 total miles (I didn't have a cycle computer til after Christmas this year, and it's got about 1500 showing on it).
The furthest I've ever ridden is 73. That was last weekend. It's hilly here in the Ozarks. Average speed was 12.1. Before that my longest was 55 (birthday ride your age deal) in April, on my first bike, the Navigator. I'm signed up for the Queen City Century next weekend.
Routinely ride 30 to 35 miles mixed in with a 20 or so here and there. I ride at least three nights a week, up to six if time permits. I don't have much in the way of speed, but my stamina has seen a lot of improvement over the last year. I've lost about 30 pounds from riding, no major changes in diet.
Angus
06-22-07, 07:08 AM
When I bought a Cannondale hybrid four years ago my first ride was three miles and my legs were wobbly afterward. Then I did six miles per ride for a couple of months. A couple of summers later (and after a loss of 60 pounds) I did a century while at 305 (after the ride I hit the glorious 299 but my weight came back after I rehydrated).
I herniated my back last summer just after buying a road bike, and this year I'm trying to get back to the century mark. Before I hurt my back I did have one good ride of 50 miles at just a tick over 15 mph. I've done a few 40-mile rides this summer with an average speed of 14.5 or so. I'm trying to get back to the 50 @ 15 mph and then get to 100 miles. Those are my goals for the summer.
Great thread, King!
The Historian
06-22-07, 07:14 AM
Daaaaaaaang! Nice work, bro! Now THAT'S some improvement! And you edged out my mileage since I started March 16th ~ 855.
Thanks. We are going to break the 1000 mark this weekend. Possibly tomorrow, definitely Sunday - my six month anniversary of learning to ride.
AZ John
06-22-07, 02:52 PM
I did my first century (111 miles) at 330 lbs. According to my computer I averaged 16.4 mph. I have done three centuries since. I recently did a hard 74 mile ride that was quite hilly, finishing in 4:03, at an average of 18.5 mph, timed. I am 300 lbs on the nose right now.
mattyknacks
06-23-07, 06:59 AM
I rode my bike alot in my younger days, when I was much lighter. Back then, I did alot of bike tours, doing the 40 or 60 mile routes. I stopped biking for awhile and my weight shot up (again) so I am riding now for fitness. I lost 60 pounds so far (although I put a few back on during my vacation). I am currently 315 pounds. I mostly ride around the city and commute to work which is only a few miles away. My big rides lately are around 10-15 miles long.
I am planning a ride to my mom's house and back soon (26 miles each way) and if successful, will be the longest ride I did in the 21 century.
Tom Stormcrowe
06-23-07, 07:09 AM
I rode my bike alot in my younger days, when I was much lighter. Back then, I did alot of bike tours, doing the 40 or 60 mile routes. I stopped biking for awhile and my weight shot up (again) so I am riding now for fitness. I lost 60 pounds so far (although I put a few back on during my vacation). I am currently 315 pounds. I mostly ride around the city and commute to work which is only a few miles away. My big rides lately are around 10-15 miles long.
I am planning a ride to my mom's house and back soon (26 miles each way) and if successful, will be the longest ride I did in the 21 century.
Good luck and have fun!
themickeyd
06-23-07, 07:21 AM
When I was down around 325lbs I did a 200 mile self contained tour of Victoria BC/San Juans and Whitby Island. More recently (3 year old keeps the long distance tours on hold) I do 40-50 miles with out much problems. I have started riding a fixie and I don't have to ride as far to make it feel as if I was on a normal bike for a lot longer distance. So it will be interesting to do a 30 mile ride on it tomorrow.
Dr_Robert
06-23-07, 08:07 AM
I'm closer to 200 lbs than 300, but my longest ride ever was around 45 miles. Just goes to show, weight ain't everything - most of ya'll bigger guys have me beat. Your average speed was probably higher too - I'm a slowpoke most of the time. :)
-DR
mattyknacks
06-23-07, 08:11 AM
When I was down around 325lbs I did a 200 mile self contained tour of Victoria BC/San Juans and Whitby Island. More recently (3 year old keeps the long distance tours on hold) I do 40-50 miles with out much problems. I have started riding a fixie and I don't have to ride as far to make it feel as if I was on a normal bike for a lot longer distance. So it will be interesting to do a 30 mile ride on it tomorrow.
Good luck on the ride!
hoss10
06-23-07, 09:50 PM
Do a double metric century every year, 200 kms over two days, on a mountain bike I'll be soooo much faster this year.
kwhman
06-24-07, 09:08 AM
If you are feeling intimidated by posted mileage, etc - let me help you feel better and I hope encouraged!
On March 18, 2007 I weighed in at 427 - I'm not 8 ft tall so obviously I qualify for clydesdale status (I'm 6 ft)! Today I'm 354. It has taken a true lifestyle change to get me here. I'm 53 years old. I've lost weight many times in my life to gain it back with some extra. The difference this time is that I am exercising 7 days per week. I do weight training 3 days and now I bike at least 4 days. I started the bike stuff about three weeks ago out of a desire to do aerobic exercise and have fun doing it. BTW I have bone on bone arthritis in both knees. I've saying all this to encourage folks who may be getting started in biking for the same reasons I did.
My main concern when getting started, believe it or not, was being able to stop without falling over - about 3 years ago I thought I'd try this and realized too late on the first ride that while on the saddle my feet didn't touch the ground - you know what happend! Sound familliar? I bought an Electra Townie whch solved that problem although it makes comprimises in other ways. First ride was about 10 minutes and less than 1 mile and it about killed me BUT I kept with it. I rode yesterday for about 50 minutes and made 5.4 miles - not a lot but felt great and I'm going for more. My wife rides with me and that makes it more fun (although she is in much better shape and enjoys literally riding circles around me). I'm not fast yet but it takes a lot of power to move 354 pounds around.
I am already looking for a new bike that will put me in a normal riding (as it relates to pedals) position. I have decided on a Trek 7500 but won't know until Monday if my LBS can even get one - may have stopped making them while getting ready for 2008 models. If that isn't availlable right now they can get a Gary Fisher Nirvana which is a step below but still a great bike for me.
I'm not going for a road bike yet because I'm not ready for that riding position and I don't need it for long rides yet. BUT my goal is to do a century ride in the next couple of years. When I'm ready for it I wil buy a road bike.
Long post, but the point I want to make is - start riding, ride more, have fun! Nobody at our size is going to start out riding 50 miles the first week, but we can do it eventually. If I can do it anybody can and I plan on doing it!
- kwhman:D
Stujoe
06-24-07, 10:19 AM
I am at 255 right now and the longest ride I have done is 32 miles. I try to do 25 to 30 each on Saturday and Sunday and try to get a couple 10 milers in during the week.
Now, a big qualifier, my 25-30 milers on the weekends are on bike paths that have no cars and very little people or bike traffic, no hills and only gentle grades, very few road crossings or other stops and usually a line of trees on each side as a wind block. In other words, just about the easiest ride you could ever do. And my legs are still pretty much dead at the end of it and the last mile or two or three is completed only because I have not other choice as there is no place to get picked up. lol