Im @ ~320lbs right now. 340 has my high... I lost the 20 on just food intake changes alone...but now I'm looking to lose alot more. A bunch of my coworkers recently got new bikes, and after doing some research and alot of reading here and elsewhere, I got my bike.
I got a 2007 Specialized Hard Rock. I actually have a hard-rock from like 12 or so years ago. While the gears, wheels, shifters and just about anything that moves on it is ruined, the frame is still as good as day one, so I have some previous faith in specialized and in the hardrock. I've also read here that some of us bigger riders have done well with the hardrock, so I went for it.
I plan on working my way up to a 30mile ride every weekend for a while. (Its just convenient that I have a 30-mile dedicated bike/run loop near me)
I'm excited about it. I've made a lot of big "life changes" lately. Call it maturity or call it just being sick and tired of being sick and tired, but I really want this to work and I'm really motivated to MAKE it work. Especially after reading all of you guys' (and gals) posts here.
This actually works for me. I like to get out and walk, but walking doesnt do as much for my heart as I wished it would, and at 320, jogging makes my stomach hurt like hell from the bounce. I'm the one always trying to get my skinny friends out of the house to do things, but everything worth doing around here costs $$$...so now I have an outdoor, healthy activity that I can do and enjoy on those days where I'm sitting around bored and having nothing to do...
First Ride, tonight! (an easy one, though...)
Tom Stormcrowe
07-30-07, 03:31 PM
Welcome back to Cycling! Good to hear you're getting going again!
Are you planning on resurrecting your old Hardrock as well?
rjm1982
07-30-07, 03:50 PM
I just might. It would likely be for a friend who has expressed interest in riding as well, but doesnt want to lay down the $$ to do so.
It needs alot. It was the first gen Shimano rapid-fire shifters, and they are toast. The rear derailer is kinda messed up (a little grease and a spring would probably fix). The missing gear teeth are bare-able as long as you aren't standing up pushing hard in high gear (then, it skips and you fell like your going to break your ankle). The brakes are fine. The wheels have a slight warp, and the tires and tubes need replaced...
Its far from destined for the junkyard at this point, but its going to take a little money and time to get it back into good (safe) shape.
v1k1ng1001
07-30-07, 03:57 PM
Good to have you!
rjm1982
07-30-07, 05:15 PM
A picture of me and the ride... :)
Tom Stormcrowe
07-30-07, 06:40 PM
I just might. It would likely be for a friend who has expressed interest in riding as well, but doesnt want to lay down the $$ to do so.
It needs alot. It was the first gen Shimano rapid-fire shifters, and they are toast. The rear derailer is kinda messed up (a little grease and a spring would probably fix). The missing gear teeth are bare-able as long as you aren't standing up pushing hard in high gear (then, it skips and you fell like your going to break your ankle). The brakes are fine. The wheels have a slight warp, and the tires and tubes need replaced...
Its far from destined for the junkyard at this point, but its going to take a little money and time to get it back into good (safe) shape.
Ebay is your friend! Is it cassette or freewheel, by the way? There are a couple of vendors there that have NOS 5-7 speed Regina and Suntour and Shimano freewheels as well as NOS Obsolete cassettes!
(51)
07-30-07, 06:55 PM
Welcome! Let us know how that first ride goes. Good to have another "Uber" on-board
http://www.mysmiles.ru/Welcome.gif
bdinger
07-30-07, 07:03 PM
Welcome to the group! Dig the bike, I remember when mine looked that clean... :D
rjm1982
07-30-07, 07:18 PM
The first ride was OK.
Butt hurts...legs hurt...I think that means I did something right...
It was only about 2 miles... but i tried to keep pedalling as much as possible, and only coasted around the corners. Apparently in the years since i stopped riding, i forgot the part about not having the low pedal on the inside of the turn... SCRAPE... grrr. Oh well, its a pedal.
It felt good though. I cant wait till the bottom side gets used to the seat. I know it will happen because ive been here before...but it sucks now.. :)
Caincando1
07-30-07, 08:05 PM
Welcome, this forum is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Scummer
07-30-07, 08:11 PM
Welcome to the forums. Remember, higher rpm in pedaling gives you a better cardio workout and you'll build up endurance faster. Around 90rpm is good.
SpecRider
07-30-07, 10:37 PM
welcome! we could be twins man, check this out lol
http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/4700/img0623sr2.jpg
same bike, close to the same story, good luck! im riding about 15-20 miles almost everyday (just not possible every single day) so it's definatly possibly to do 30 a day! my only suggestion is to ditch the knobby tires and get smoother ones if you find yourself mostly on pavement or hardpack dirt. it'll ride so much smoother your butt will thank you
BeckyW
07-30-07, 10:48 PM
Welcome! You'll increase your mileage, don't worry. And yes, your behind will stop hurting, too.
East Hill
07-31-07, 01:11 AM
rjm1982, first, let me say the Official Welcome to Bike Forums!
Second, as Tom Stormcrowe said, eBay is your friend--you can get the first Hard Rock back up and running for not that much money, and it would be great for you to pass the bike onto a friend who can also get you out there and motivated.
As an aside, SpecRider, the shot of you with the Clydesdale in the background is classic!
East Hill
(51)
07-31-07, 01:54 AM
The first ride was OK.
Butt hurts...legs hurt...I think that means I did something right...
It was only about 2 miles...
That is about a mile further than my first ride, now I try to get 25 miles in when I am out there. I had knee pain for about a month, but it did subside.
Make a commitment to ride for 6-8 weeks before you make a decision on continuing...you wont look back.
There will be days you don't want to go. Sometimes the hardest leg of your ride is the first 30 feet out of your driveway.
East Hill
07-31-07, 02:12 AM
There will be days you don't want to go. Sometimes the hardest leg of your ride is the first 30 feet out of your driveway.
Amazing, but true. But as soon as you get on the bike, your enthusiasm reappears as if by magic :) .
[it admittedly can be difficult to coax one's self out on a cold, icy day]
East Hill
Terrierman
07-31-07, 05:03 AM
Good for you. Nice bike. Hang with it.
The Historian
08-16-07, 08:35 PM
Ok, Im diving in!
Im @ ~320lbs right now. 340 has my high... I lost the 20 on just food intake changes alone...but now I'm looking to lose alot more. A bunch of my coworkers recently got new bikes, and after doing some research and alot of reading here and elsewhere, I got my bike.
I got a 2007 Specialized Hard Rock. I actually have a hard-rock from like 12 or so years ago. While the gears, wheels, shifters and just about anything that moves on it is ruined, the frame is still as good as day one, so I have some previous faith in specialized and in the hardrock. I've also read here that some of us bigger riders have done well with the hardrock, so I went for it.
I plan on working my way up to a 30mile ride every weekend for a while. (Its just convenient that I have a 30-mile dedicated bike/run loop near me)
I'm excited about it. I've made a lot of big "life changes" lately. Call it maturity or call it just being sick and tired of being sick and tired, but I really want this to work and I'm really motivated to MAKE it work. Especially after reading all of you guys' (and gals) posts here.
This actually works for me. I like to get out and walk, but walking doesnt do as much for my heart as I wished it would, and at 320, jogging makes my stomach hurt like hell from the bounce. I'm the one always trying to get my skinny friends out of the house to do things, but everything worth doing around here costs $$$...so now I have an outdoor, healthy activity that I can do and enjoy on those days where I'm sitting around bored and having nothing to do...
First Ride, tonight! (an easy one, though...)
I missed your introduction. Welcome to Clydeland. Belatedly.