Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Fat and Out of Shape...Or 197 miles left to go.

I am fat and out of shape. Ok, I said it. I used to ride 75 miles a week on average when I lived in Florida. That was 2 years and 100lbs ago. I now have lived in Seattle for 2 years and barely even touched a bike. Times are a changin' though. My 24th birthday is in a month so I splurged and bought my dream bike with some early b-day money. Can we say motivation ? '07 Kona Jake The Snake.

I rode 3 miles today. Gross. I can't believe thats as far as I could comfortably go. I WILL ride in the Seattle to Portland ride next year. I am back on the saddle and ready to ride. That ride is roughly 200 miles over 1 or 2 days. So by my count only 197 miles left to go.

I am ready for the challenge. Just wait, I am sure there will be more of my adventures posted here as I continue my quest.

Good luck. I started last spring and I could barely get four miles on a cruiser. Little inclines would leave me breathless. Now I commute car free and run 50-75 miles per week. Just take it one step at a time, stretch a lot, and monitor your joint condition.

Inkrider, what part of Seattle are you in? A nice bike is always a good motivating factor :) .

I know we will look forward to reading about your adventures, missteps, and milestones!

Oh yeah, welcome to Bike Forums :) .

East Hill

A little less than a month ago I would be completely drained after 5 miles. Now my longest is 20, and I hope to incease that this weekend. :) You'll be ready for STP in no time.

Hi Inkrider...that's a nice bike. I almost bought the Jake when I went to a road bike. You are still welcome to join us on our Sunday morning rides (early and on Eastside though). Maybe I'll be riding the STP with ya next year. :)

East Hill - Ballard area to be exact.

King - I want to get a few more miles under my belt and then will join you folks on Sunday mornings.

When I bought my bike a few months ago, I was doing five or six miles and finding myself uncomfortable and worn out by the end of it. It's been about two months now and I am regularly riding the 22 mile round-trip to work and have gone up to 40 miles at a whack. Good luck - I think you'll find you progress amazingly fast.

My first ride in early June was a mile and a half, then by early July I was up to seven... then I decided I shouldn't walk up any hills, and hurt my knee. Now I'm back at 2-4... be good to your joints! You'll be doing long rides in no time :)

Inkrider, when I started riding again a month or so ago, I kept looking back to see if there was something dragging being me on my 3 or 4 mile rides. Today, I rode 20+ miles in less than 2 hours.

I live in Lakewood, just south of you. The STP is still a long way in my future, but maybe some day. Like they say, just do it!!

East Hill - Ballard area to be exact.

King - I want to get a few more miles under my belt and then will join you folks on Sunday mornings.

That's fine...I understand. If you would like to do some short weekday or Saturday rides, let me know. I would do some with you separate from the group (e.g. just you and me). PM me your phone number if interested.

I used to live right off of Greenlake near the Retirement home (can't think of the name now). I used to ride my bike over the hill to my favorite hobby shop American Eagles in Ballard. I haven't been there in more than 2 years now. Wonder if it is still there.

Anyway, congratulations on getting back out on the bike. :beer: Welcome to the forum. You will always find encouragement here, sound and sagely advice. Never give up, never surrender (wait, where have I heard that before?):D

]I used to live right off of Greenlake near the Retirement home (can't think of the name now). I used to ride my bike over the hill to my favorite hobby shop American Eagles in Ballard. I haven't been there in more than 2 years now. Wonder if it is still there.

No, it's closer to where you used to live, on Lake City Way (in 98125).

KT, did I miss where you do your rides? Any of them bright and early in the mornings? Like, uh, 6.00 am? Have you done the Cedar River Trail?

East Hill

Thanks East Hill, good information to have. I may be up there in late September. The wife is going on a "sisters" retreat, and I was thinking of riding from Bellingham to Wenatchee (via highway 20). I am waiting on information about my Sons Tiger Cruise though, and there is a possibility that I will have a scheduling conflict.

Thanks East Hill, good information to have. I may be up there in late September. The wife is going on a "sisters" retreat, and I was thinking of riding from Bellingham to Wenatchee (via highway 20).

That would be a lovely ride if you don't have scheduling conflicts. Keep us posted!

East Hill