Hello everyone and thank you. I have been a lurker/ occasional poster for a few years now and find it to be high time to give props to all of you. I, like many of you, grew up on bikes. I kept riding into my late teens in:beer: Rockies in '87. Girls, cars, my band and life made me turn my back on my first passion bikes; and life just seemed a little incomplete. I married my h.s. sweetheart, joined the US Navy and had a couple of boys. One night a few years ago, feeling completely miserable, my wife (in grad school to become a counseling psychologist) asked me what used to make me happy? I really had to think about it. I remembered the total joy and freedom of cycling, and that's all I could think of. She suggested I start cycling again. I think her motive was dual purpose...help me become happy again and, oh yea lose some weight! So I started my journey. Reading everything I could find on bikes and I happened upon BF/Clydes forum. Tom and the rest of you have been a wealth of knowledge and information and laughter for me. I've finally taken this cycling seriously this year,logged ober 300 miles since May and am down to 269lbs from over 285lbs in the last month. Everyone's stories of wins and losses has shown me that I CAN lose weight and have a blast doing it. I'm thestoutdog, 6'4" 269, and I'm proud to be a Clydesdale. Thank each and every one of you again!:beer:

No problem! It's good to hear these stories, that's what helps keep the community going. From the looks of your sig, you have two AWESOME choices for bikes. I had a hard time choosing between a Volpe and the Trek I have now.. many times I wish I would have gone with the Volpe :).

Keep riding, as I tell my better half it's my two wheeled therapy session every day! :)

Welcome!

Thank you for your Service to our Country!

I love bikes and riding. Throughout my military career, a bicycle was always close by. Be it as a Shop Bike out to the flightline, to loaded touring in England back in the late 70's.

The "WHY" of getting off the bike and leaving it behind is almost an unknown. For me, it was excuses pure and simple. Kids getting married, grand kids on the way, paying for the new driveway... All Lame excuses and ones that I hid behind for 5 years.

You have a smart wife there! I'm glad you have her support in this!

Cris

Welcome aboard! You have done a great job thus far on the weight loss!

It is funny how much puberty and a driver's license change us.

+1 on your service. My father was a Navy man as well.

CHeers back at ya, stoutdog! Welcome to CLydes!